NYC DOB Violation Search: Complete 2025 Lookup Guide

Over 150,000 DOB violations are issued annually across NYC's five boroughs. Most property owners don't discover these violations until a sale falls through, refinancing is denied, or a surprise lien appears. The good news? Searching DOB violations by address is free—but navigating NYC's four separate databases (BIS, DOB NOW, HPD, ECB) can be confusing. This guide shows you exactly how to search DOB violations in 5 minutes using official NYC databases and free lookup tools.

Why Search DOB Violations on Your Property?

Proactive violation monitoring prevents costly surprises:

Avoid surprise fines: DOB violations carry penalties ranging from $800 to $25,000. Early detection lets you correct issues before fines escalate.
Pre-purchase due diligence: 70% of NYC buildings have open violations. Buyers need violation searches before closing to avoid inheriting previous owner's liabilities.
Refinancing requirements: Banks require violation clearance certificates. Open Class 1 violations block loan approvals.
Tenant compliance: NYC law requires landlords to disclose violations. Failure to disclose can trigger lawsuits and rent abatement.
Sale disclosure obligations: Sellers must provide violation history in RPIE (Real Property Income & Expense) disclosures.

Method 1: DOB Building Information System (BIS) — Most Comprehensive

BIS is NYC's primary public database for building violations, complaints, permits, and inspections. It's free, no account required, and contains historical records dating back to 1980s.

Step-by-Step BIS Search Process

1. Visit DOB BIS: https://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/

2. Select "Property Profile Overview" from the homepage menu.

3. Enter Property Details:

Borough: Select from dropdown (Manhattan=1, Bronx=2, Brooklyn=3, Queens=4, Staten Island=5)
House Number: Enter numbers only (e.g., "123" not "123A")
Street Name: Exclude street type (e.g., "Broadway" not "Broadway Street")

4. Click "Search" to load property profile.

5. Navigate to "Violations" Tab — This displays all DOB, ECB, and HPD violations for the property.

6. Use Filters to Refine Results:

Type: DOB (construction), ECB (civil penalties), HPD (housing maintenance)
Status: Open (unresolved), Resolved (corrected), Dismissed (contested successfully)
Date Range: Last 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or all time

What You'll See in BIS Search Results

Each violation entry includes:

Violation Number: Unique DOB tracking ID (e.g., 35234567)
Issue Date: When violation was issued
Violation Type: DOB (Class 1/2/3), ECB (summons), HPD (Class A/B/C)
Description: Specific code violation (e.g., "Work Without Permit - 28-204.6")
Status: Open, Resolved, Dismissed, Pending OATH hearing
ECB Control Number: If ECB summons issued, links to OATH hearing

💡 Pro Tip: Check Neighboring Properties

Violations on adjacent buildings (shared walls, party walls) can affect your property. Search neighbors' addresses to identify potential liability risks, especially for row houses and attached buildings.

Method 2: DOB NOW — Real-Time Permit & Inspection Data

DOB NOW is NYC's newer online portal (launched 2018) for permit filing and inspection tracking. It provides real-time updates but requires a free NYC.ID account.

When to Use DOB NOW vs. BIS

Use DOB NOW for:

Active permits and inspections (updated daily)
Stop Work Orders (real-time status)
Recent violations (issued within last 30 days)
Filing for permit corrections or violation cures

Use BIS for:

Historical violation records (pre-2018 data more complete)
Public searches (no account required)
Comprehensive violation history

How to Search in DOB NOW

1. Visit DOB NOW

2. Click "Search" tab (no login required for public search)

3. Enter property address or BIN (Building Identification Number)

4. View "Jobs" and "Violations" tabs for active permits and open violations

Method 3: HPD Violations (Housing Maintenance)

NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) issues violations for housing maintenance issues: no heat/hot water, mold, vermin, lead paint, structural hazards. HPD violations are separate from DOB and require separate search.

How to Search HPD Violations

1. Visit HPD Online

2. Click "Building Information"

3. Enter full address (e.g., "123 Main Street, Brooklyn")

4. View: Open violations, complaint history, inspection dates

What you'll find:

Class A violations: Non-hazardous (peeling paint, minor leaks) — $50–$500
Class B violations: Hazardous (no heat, vermin infestation) — $125–$1,000
Class C violations: Immediately hazardous (lead paint, structural collapse) — $500–$5,000

Method 4: D.O.B. Guard Free Lookup Tool (All-in-One)

Instead of searching 4 separate databases, use our free all-in-one tool to search DOB, HPD, ECB, FDNY, and 311 complaints in a single search:

🔍 Free NYC Violation Lookup Tool

Search DOB violations, HPD complaints, ECB fines, FDNY violations, and 311 service requests by address — all in one search. No account required.

Search Violations Now →

Understanding Your DOB Violation Search Results

DOB Violation Classes Explained

Class	Severity	Examples	Typical Fines
Class 1	Immediate Hazard	Stop Work Order, Unsafe Structure, Collapse Risk	$5,000–$25,000
Class 2	Major Violation	Work Without Permit, Illegal Conversion	$1,000–$10,000
Class 3	Minor Violation	Missing Permits, Paperwork Issues, Expired Certs	$500–$2,500

Common DOB Violation Codes (Quick Reference)

When you see these codes in BIS, here's what they mean:

28-204.6: Work Without Permit (WWP) — Construction performed without DOB-approved permits. Fine: $2,500–$10,000.
28-210.1: Illegal Conversion — Converting single-family to multi-unit without Certificate of Occupancy. Fine: $5,000–$15,000.
28-302.1: Failure to Certify/Inspect — Missing boiler inspections, facade inspections (Local Law 11), elevator certifications. Fine: $1,000–$5,000.
28-207.2: Stop Work Order Violation — Working after Stop Work Order issued. Fine: $10,000–$50,000 + criminal charges.
27-2005: Failure to Maintain (HPD) — No heat/hot water, mold, vermin, structural hazards. Fine: $500–$5,000.

For complete code explanations, see our NYC DOB Violations: Complete 2025 Guide.

What to Do After Finding DOB Violations

If You're the Property Owner

Correct immediately: Address underlying issue (obtain permits, repair hazards)
Submit proof: File correction proof with DOB (permits, inspection certificates, photos)
Request inspection: Schedule DOB re-inspection to verify correction
Pay fines: Pay ECB fines within 60 days to avoid liens (10% discount if paid within 30 days)
Contest if incorrect: Request OATH hearing if violation was issued in error

If You're a Buyer (Due Diligence)

Request seller clearance: Open violations must be resolved before closing
Negotiate price reduction: Factor correction costs into purchase price ($5,000–$50,000 typical)
Escrow funds: Hold back funds in escrow to cover violation resolution
Title search: Verify no ECB liens filed on property

If You're a Tenant

File HPD complaint: If landlord ignores violations (especially Class B/C hazards)
Request rent abatement: Open violations may qualify for rent reduction
Withhold rent (HP Action): File Housing Part action in court if hazardous conditions persist

Pro Tips for DOB Violation Searches

1. Search Quarterly, Not Just at Sale

Violations can be issued anytime (311 complaints, routine inspections, permit expirations). Quarterly searches catch issues early before fines escalate.

2. Check Neighboring Properties

For row houses and attached buildings, search adjacent properties for violations that could affect your building (shared walls, party walls, structural issues).

3. Save PDFs of Clean Records

When violations are resolved, save PDF screenshots from BIS. Banks and title companies require proof of clean violation history.

4. Set Up Automated Alerts

Manual BIS searches are time-consuming. D.O.B. Guard monitors your properties 24/7 and texts you the moment a violation is issued—giving you 30+ days to respond before fines escalate.

⚡ Stop Manual Searches: Get Automatic DOB Alerts

D.O.B. Guard monitors 12+ NYC databases (DOB, HPD, ECB, FDNY, 311) and sends text/email alerts the moment a violation appears. Monitor unlimited properties for $15/month. Start monitoring →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search DOB violations by owner name?

No. BIS and DOB NOW only search by property address or BIN (Building Identification Number). Owner names are not searchable for privacy reasons.

How far back does BIS show violation history?

BIS maintains permanent violation records dating back to the 1980s. Even resolved violations remain in the system indefinitely (marked as "Resolved").

Are all DOB violations public information?

Yes. All DOB, HPD, and ECB violations are public records viewable by anyone via BIS. This includes buyers, lenders, tenants, and the general public.

Can I search multiple properties at once?

No. BIS requires individual searches for each property. Property owners with multiple buildings use monitoring services like D.O.B. Guard to track all properties simultaneously.

How often is BIS updated?

BIS is updated daily. New violations, inspection results, and status changes appear within 24 hours of issuance.

What if BIS shows incorrect violations?

If a violation was issued in error, you can contest it at an OATH hearing. Bring evidence (valid permits, inspection reports, photos) to prove the violation is incorrect. About 38% of contested violations are dismissed or reduced.

Related Resources

Last updated: November 2025. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions about DOB violations, consult a licensed attorney.