DOB ECB Violations
DOB ECB violations are issued when a NYC Department of Buildings violation is referred to the Environmental Control Board (now part of OATH) for a penalty hearing. ECB violations carry fines and require a hearing to resolve — they can't be cleared just by fixing the condition.
What Is an ECB Violation?
When a DOB inspector issues a violation and determines it warrants a financial penalty, the violation is referred to ECB (Environmental Control Board), which is now part of OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings). The ECB violation triggers a hearing where the building owner can contest the violation, present proof of correction, or negotiate the fine.
Not all DOB violations become ECB violations. Standard DOB violations can often be cleared with a re-inspection or Certificate of Correction. ECB violations always involve a hearing and potential fine.
DOB Violations vs. ECB Violations
| DOB Violation | ECB Violation | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | DOB inspector | DOB inspector, referred to OATH/ECB |
| Fines | No direct fine | $500 — $25,000+ depending on severity |
| Hearing required | No | Yes — at OATH |
| How to resolve | Re-inspection or Certificate of Correction | Attend hearing + pay fine + correct condition |
| Can result in lien | Rarely | Yes — unpaid fines become liens |
| Severity classes | No | Class 1, 2, or 3 |
ECB Violation Severity Classes
Every ECB violation is assigned a severity class that determines the urgency of correction and the fine range:
Class 1 — Immediately Hazardous
The most serious ECB violations. The condition poses an immediate threat to life or safety. Examples: structural instability, blocked fire exits, gas leaks, elevator operating without inspection.
- Fines: $2,500 — $25,000+
- Must be corrected immediately
- DOB may issue a vacate order or stop-work order
- Repeated Class 1 violations can trigger building-wide enforcement
Class 2 — Hazardous
Conditions that are hazardous but not immediately life-threatening. Examples: work without a permit, failure to maintain fire safety equipment, improperly installed electrical work.
- Fines: $1,000 — $10,000
- Must be corrected within the timeframe set at the hearing
- Correcting before the hearing can reduce the fine
Class 3 — Non-Hazardous
Code violations that do not pose a safety risk. Examples: missing signage, administrative filing errors, minor code deviations.
- Fines: $500 — $5,000
- Longest correction timeline
- First-time Class 3 violations are sometimes dismissed if corrected before the hearing
How to Search for ECB Violations
Our DOB violation search includes all ECB violations for any NYC building. Search by address to see:
- ECB violation number
- Issue date
- Violation description and violation codes
- Severity class (Class 1, 2, or 3)
- Status (Active or Resolved)
How to Resolve ECB Violations
The full process for clearing ECB violations is covered in our guide to removing DOB violations. The short version:
- Correct the condition at the building
- Gather proof — photos, contractor invoices, permits, engineer certifications
- Attend the OATH hearing (in person at 100 Church St or virtually)
- Present proof of correction to the hearing officer
- Pay the fine (or negotiate reduction based on proof of correction)
What Happens If You Ignore ECB Violations?
Ignoring ECB violations leads to escalating consequences:
- Default judgment: If you miss your hearing, the maximum fine is imposed automatically
- Additional penalties: Daily penalties can accrue for uncorrected conditions
- Property liens: Unpaid ECB fines become liens against the property, appearing in title searches and blocking sales or refinancing
- DOB enforcement: Repeated or ignored violations can trigger building-wide enforcement actions, including vacate orders
Get notified about new ECB violations
The app monitors your buildings and sends push notifications when new DOB or ECB violations are filed.
