NYC Building Violations 2026
Updated daily from official city records · Last permit filed: 2026-04-27
New York City has two separate violation databases that every property owner, contractor, and investor needs to understand: the Department of Buildings (DOB) and Housing Preservation & Development (HPD). This guide shows how to search both, what the violations mean, and how to use this data.
DOB vs. HPD: What's the Difference?
DOB violations cover building code compliance — construction defects, unpermitted work, unsafe conditions, and building maintenance. HPD violations cover housing maintenance — heat and hot water issues, lead paint, pest infestations, and tenant habitability.
Both are public record and free to search. But they live in different systems, making it easy to miss violations if you only check one.
How to Search NYC Building Violations
NYC operates two DOB systems: BIS (Buildings Information System) holds historical records from 1985-2020. DOB NOW holds new filings from 2018 forward. A single building can have records in both systems. For HPD violations, search at hpdonline.nyc.gov.
You can search by address and find DOB violations and permits, HPD housing violations by class (A/B/C), FDNY fire safety records, 311 complaints, and stop work orders.
HPD Violation Classes
- Class A: Non-hazardous — conditions that don't threaten safety but need correction
- Class B: Hazardous — must be corrected within 30 days
- Class C: Immediately hazardous — must be corrected within 24 hours (no heat, no hot water, lead paint, vermin)
Rent-impairing violations are flagged separately. These can give tenants grounds to withhold rent until repairs are made.
NYC by the Numbers
PermitGrab tracks the NYC construction market comprehensively:
- 4,228 active contractors pulling DOB permits
- 793 with direct phone numbers (growing weekly)
- 58,310 HPD and DOB violations tracked across all five boroughs
- 12,745 property owners matched via PLUTO database
Permits Filed in the Last 90 Days
28,379 DOB permits filed in NYC in the last 90 days. Top permit types:
| Permit Type | Count |
|---|---|
| General Construction | 7,683 |
| Plumbing | 4,212 |
| Mechanical Systems | 3,098 |
| Sidewalk Shed | 1,863 |
| Construction Fence | 1,769 |
| Structural | 1,674 |
| Sprinklers | 1,264 |
| Suspended Scaffold | 1,219 |
| Solar | 1,184 |
| Supported Scaffold | 1,040 |
Solar Permits in NYC
NYC solar requires two separate permits: an electrical permit issued to a NYC-Licensed Master Electrician (LME) and a construction work permit issued to a NYC-licensed General Contractor. Applications are filed through DOB NOW. Complete applications are typically reviewed in 5-10 business days.
The federal 30% tax credit is gone for 2026 installations, but all New York state and local incentives remain: 25% state tax credit, NY-Sun rebates, NYC property tax abatement, the RPT 487 property tax exemption (15-year exemption on added home value), and net metering.
Who Uses This Data?
Restoration contractors use violation data to find buildings that need immediate work. Solar companies use permit data to find homeowners already investing in their properties. Real estate investors use the combination of violation data, property owner records, and assessed values to identify distressed assets. Insurance adjusters use permit records to verify construction claims.
Browse NYC contractors, permits, and violations →
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between BIS and DOB NOW?
BIS holds NYC building records from 1985-2020. DOB NOW holds filings from 2018 forward. A building may have records in both systems.
Are NYC violation searches free?
Yes. Both DOB and HPD violation searches on city portals are free. PermitGrab consolidates them into a single searchable view.
How current is this data?
Updated daily from NYC Open Data. Most recent permit in our system was filed on 2026-04-27.
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