Reference · 32 codes
NYC DOB violation codes. What every abbreviation means.
The type code on a DOB violation tells you what kind of problem it is and usually how hard it is to clear. These are the 32 codes that show up most, counted from the city's own dataset.
| Code | What it usually means | On record |
|---|---|---|
| EElevators | ElevatorElevator defect or missed test. The single most common DOB violation. | 713,305 |
| LL6291Boilers | Local Law 62/91: boilersAnnual boiler inspection report not filed. | 598,814 |
| LBLVIOBoilers | Low-pressure boilerLow-pressure boiler inspection or filing missing. | 319,926 |
| CConstruction & use | ConstructionWork without a permit, work not per plans, unsafe site conditions. | 204,501 |
| AEUHAZ1Hazard & safety | Failure to certify Class 1A Class 1 ECB violation was never certified corrected. Carries a $5,000 penalty. | 159,423 |
| LL1081Elevators | Local Law 10/81: elevatorOlder elevator inspection law violations. | 81,231 |
| ACC1Elevators | Elevator affirmation of correctionElevator defect found, but the affirmation that it was fixed wasn't filed. | 64,457 |
| BENCHEnergy | Failure to benchmarkAnnual energy and water benchmarking (Local Law 84) not submitted. | 56,934 |
| EVCAT1Elevators | Elevator annual inspection / testCategory 1 annual elevator test not filed. | 47,428 |
| LANDMKConstruction & use | LandmarkLandmark-related violation on a designated building. | 25,264 |
| HBLVIOBoilers | High-pressure boilerHigh-pressure boiler inspection or filing missing. | 20,648 |
| FISPNRFFacades & walls | Facade: no report / late filingLocal Law 11 (FISP) facade report not filed or filed late. | 17,696 |
| EGRADEEnergy | Failure to post energy gradeEnergy efficiency grade (A–F) not posted near the entrance. | 14,905 |
| UBHazard & safety | Unsafe buildingDOB found the structure unsafe. Can lead to a court-ordered repair or vacate. | 14,221 |
| EARCXEnergy | Failure to submit EEREnergy efficiency report (Local Law 87 audit and retro-commissioning) not submitted. | 14,146 |
| PConstruction & use | PlumbingPlumbing work or conditions out of code. | 11,917 |
| IMEGNCYHazard & safety | Immediate emergencyCondition serious enough for DOB to order immediate work. | 11,299 |
| L1198 / LL1198Facades & walls | Local Law 11/98: facadeOlder facade inspection cycle violations. | 10,523 |
| ESConstruction & use | Electric signsIlluminated sign without permit or out of compliance. | 9,289 |
| ZConstruction & use | ZoningUse or bulk that doesn't match zoning or the Certificate of Occupancy. | 8,473 |
| EVCAT5Elevators | Non-residential elevator periodic testFive-year (Category 5) full-load test not filed. | 8,258 |
| BBoilers | BoilerBoiler violation (older code). | 6,037 |
| CMQConstruction & use | MarqueeMarquee or canopy without permit or unsafe. | 4,728 |
| FISPFacades & walls | Facade Safety Inspection ProgramFISP facade compliance violation. | 3,659 |
| FISPHAZHazard & safety | Facade hazardous conditionFacade reported unsafe. Sidewalk shed and repairs required. | 3,136 |
| LL2604E / SConstruction & use | Emergency power / sprinklerLocal Law 26/04 deadlines for emergency power or sprinklers missed. | 2,636 |
| RWNRFFacades & walls | Retaining wallRetaining wall inspection report not filed (Local Law 37). | 2,091 |
| PAConstruction & use | Public assemblyPlace of assembly (75+ people) without a valid certificate of operation. | 1,329 |
| FISPFCSFacades & walls | Failure to correct SWARMPFacade conditions marked "safe with repair and maintenance program" weren't fixed by the next cycle. | 1,209 |
| CSConstruction & use | Site safetyConstruction site safety requirements not met. | 709 |
| COMPBLDHazard & safety | Structurally compromised buildingDOB has flagged the building as structurally compromised. | 569 |
| CLOSHazard & safety | PadlockPremises ordered closed (padlocked). | 494 |
No code matches that. Try a shorter word, or .
Counts are all-time totals in the DOB Violations dataset (3h2n-5cm9) on NYC Open Data, pulled October 22, 2026. "On record" includes closed violations. Bars use a square-root scale so small codes stay visible. Plain-English descriptions are ours. The official definition is on the violation itself in BIS.
How to use the code
Look up the building's open violations, then group them by code before you do anything else. Ten LL6291 violations is one missing boiler filing repeated over ten years, so one inspection and one batch of paperwork. One open C or UB is a real construction or safety problem that needs a professional. Then check the class of any ECB violations that came with them, and read how to remove a violation. Where boiler, elevator and facade filings live, BIS or DOB NOW, is on the DOB violation search page.
Common questions
DOB violation codes: common questions
Short answers first. Still stuck? Call (347) 201-2336 and a person picks up.
What are DOB violation codes?
DOB violation codes are the short type codes on every Department of Buildings violation, such as E for elevator, LL6291 for boilers, FISP for facades or AEUHAZ1 for failing to certify a Class 1, and they tell you what kind of problem it is and usually how it gets cleared. The table on this page lists the codes that show up most in the city's own data, with plain-English meanings and counts.
What does a DOB violation number mean?
A DOB violation number in BIS starts with V and carries the violation type letter, so in V*082988E138320 the E marks an elevator violation, and the asterisk after the V means DOB has dismissed it. The violation detail page spells out the type, and in our search results it's the Type column. Quote the full number whenever you call or email DOB.
Which DOB violation codes block a sale or refinance?
Lenders and title companies care most about open C (construction), Z (zoning), UB (unsafe building), FISPHAZ (hazardous facade) and anything with an unpaid ECB balance. Boiler and elevator filing violations are usually treated as paperwork, but buyers will still ask for them to be cleared before closing.
Why are there so many boiler violations?
Every building with a boiler that needs an annual inspection has to file the report each year, and each missed year adds a new violation and a civil penalty. That's why around 337,000 boiler violations are active citywide. Deadlines and penalties are on our page about NYC boiler violations. Filing the current report in DOB NOW: Safety and paying the penalty clears it.