How To Look Up NYC Building Violations: Complete Search Guide 2025

Searching NYC building violations requires checking multiple city databases. This comprehensive guide walks you through every system—DOB NOW, BIS, HPD, ECB, and FDNY—with step-by-step instructions to find all violations, permits, complaints, and inspections for any NYC property.

Why You Need To Check Violations

Checking violations is critical before:

• Buying Property: Unresolved violations transfer to new owners and can cost $50K+
• Refinancing: Banks require clean violation history before approving loans
• Selling: Violations must be disclosed; undisclosed violations void contracts
• Tenants: Some violations give tenants rent withholding rights
• Property Management: Track compliance across your portfolio

System 1: DOB NOW (Department of Buildings)

What it contains: DOB violations, permits, complaints, inspections, stop work orders, certificates of occupancy

How to search:

1. Visit DOB NOW Public Portal
2. Click "Public Inquiry" → "Building Search"
3. Enter: House Number, Street Name, Borough (or BIN/Block/Lot)
4. Click search → Property profile appears
5. View tabs: "Violations," "Permits," "Complaints," "Inspections"

What to look for:

• Open violations: Class 1 (most severe), Class 2 (hazardous), Class 3 (lesser)
• Stop Work Orders: Red flag—property has illegal/dangerous work
• Expired permits: Trigger automatic violations after 1 year
• Pending permits: Check status and expiration dates

System 2: BIS (Building Information System)

What it contains: Historical DOB data (pre-2019), older permits, C of O history, zoning information

How to search:

1. Visit BIS Portal
2. Select "Search by Address" or "Search by BIN"
3. Enter property details
4. View: "Violations," "DOB Applications," "Permits," "Inspections"

Why check both DOB NOW and BIS? DOB NOW has data from 2019 forward. BIS contains historical violations and permits from the 1980s-2019. Both systems are necessary for complete property history.

For detailed comparison, read our DOB NOW vs. BIS guide.

System 3: HPD (Housing Preservation & Development)

What it contains: HPD housing code violations, complaints (heat/hot water, mold, pests, etc.), registered properties, rent stabilization status

How to search:

1. Visit HPD Online
2. Click "Search for Building" under "Property/Building Information"
3. Enter: House Number, Street Name, Borough
4. View tabs: "Violations," "Complaints," "Registration," "Litigations"

What to look for:

• Class A violations: Immediately hazardous (no heat, lead paint)
• Class B violations: Hazardous (mold, leaks, pests)
• Class C violations: Non-hazardous maintenance
• Open complaints: Tenant complaints trigger inspections

Read our complete HPD violations guide for correction procedures.

System 4: ECB/OATH (Environmental Control Board)

What it contains: Civil penalty summonses for uncorrected DOB/HPD/FDNY violations, hearing schedules, judgments, payment status

How to search:

1. Visit ECB Portal
2. Click "Property Search" or "Summons Search"
3. Enter address or summons number
4. View: Open violations, hearing dates, fine amounts, payment history

Why this matters: If DOB/HPD violations aren't corrected by deadline, they're referred to ECB for fines. ECB violations create property liens and prevent permit approvals.

Learn more about ECB/OATH hearings and how to reduce fines.

System 5: FDNY (Fire Department)

What it contains: Fire safety violations, inspection reports, certificate of fitness holders, fire alarm inspections

How to search:

1. Visit FDNY Inspection Search
2. Enter: Address or BIN
3. View: Inspection dates, violations, fire alarm status

Common FDNY violations: Missing fire extinguishers, obstructed exits, faulty fire alarm systems, improper storage of flammable materials.

System 6: DOF (Department of Finance)

What it contains: Property liens (ECB judgments, unpaid fines), tax arrears, foreclosure status

How to search:

1. Visit DOF Property Search
2. Enter property address
3. View: Outstanding judgments, liens, payment history

Interpreting Violation Status

Open: Violation is active. Must be corrected by deadline or ECB summons will be issued.

Dismissed: Violation was corrected and verified by DOB/HPD.

Referred to ECB: Violation wasn't corrected by deadline. Now subject to civil penalties.

Pending: Certification of correction was filed, awaiting DOB verification.

Common Search Mistakes to Avoid

• Only checking DOB NOW: Must check BIS for historical violations pre-2019
• Ignoring HPD: HPD violations are just as serious as DOB violations
• Not checking ECB: Unpaid ECB judgments create liens that block sales/refinancing
• Forgetting complaints: Open 311 complaints often result in violations within 30 days
• Not verifying address format: NYC uses specific address formats (no "Ave" vs "Avenue")

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to check all 6 systems?

Yes, for complete property due diligence. Each database tracks different violations and inspections.

How often should I check for violations?

For commercial landlords: weekly. For residential: monthly. Or use D.O.B. Guard's automated monitoring to get instant alerts.

Can I search violations for free?

Yes, all NYC databases are free to search. D.O.B. Guard aggregates results and adds monitoring/alerts.

How far back do violation records go?

BIS: 1980s to 2019. DOB NOW: 2019 to present. HPD: 1970s to present. ECB: 10 years back.

Related Resources

• NYC DOB Violations: The Complete 2025 Guide
• 311 Complaints That Become Violations
• DOB NOW vs. BIS: Where To Check What
• Manhattan Building Violations Tracker

Last updated: October 2025. This guide is for informational purposes only.