Tigani explains DOB complaint sources and enforcement tools
Tigani describes how DOB receives complaints via 311, referrals from HPD, FDNY, and OEM, or industry notifications, dispatching inspectors and taking actions such as oath summonses, stop work orders, or vacate orders, including enhanced tools like criminal summonses, affirmative litigation, and disciplinary action against licensees.
As the City Council is aware, the establishment of regulatory requirements and modifications to the applicable codes is only one part of DOB's work.
Ensuring compliance with those requirements is another and includes enforcement of technical and safety standards.
DOB may receive complaints of potential violating conditions from a number of sources, including 311, a referral from another city agency such as HPD or FDNY or OEM, or a notification from the industry in connection with an incident.
After notification of an incident or potentially violating condition, DOB inspectors will be dispatched to the building or construction site to inspect.
Where a violating condition is found, appropriate action is taken, which may include issuance of an oath summons, a stop work order, or a vacate order, depending upon the nature of the violating condition.
In the case of immediately hazardous violations, Class 1,
When the owner has failed to certify the correction of violating conditions, the department will re-inspect until all violating conditions are corrected.
When appropriate, the department utilizes enhanced enforcement tools such as issuing criminal court summonses or initiating affirmative litigation, which requires coordination with the New York City Law Department.
Enforcement actions could also include disciplinary actions against a licensed design professional.