In their on-going efforts to encourage owners to pay closer attention to their buildings’ conditions before hazardous conditions develop, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has adopted a new rule increasing the penalties for failure to certify corrections of immediately hazardous conditions that pose imminent danger to public safety or property. 1-2 family dwellings will see the penalty increase to $1,500, and for anything other than 1-2 family dwellings, penalties may range from $3,000 to $5,000.
Until the penalty is paid, permits and certificates of occupancy will not be issued, nor will stop work orders be removed. However, failure to pay such penalties will not affect the issuance of work permits to make hazardous conditions secure or safe.
The new rule went into effect on October 3, 2020.
Paul Grissett is head of RAND's Code & Zoning Compliance team.
