What Is a Notice of Infraction?
A Notice of Infraction (NOI) is a formal notification issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) to inform an individual or entity that they have violated specific laws, regulations, or codes. An NOI:
- Is designed to enforce compliance with legal standards to ensure safety, health, and order within the District
- Details the nature of the infraction and the specific regulations that have been breached.
- Outlines the required corrective actions and any associated penalties or fines.
*Please note that NOIs are different from Notices of Violation (NOVs), which are issued for vacant property maintenance violations. An NOV operates as a warning, posted to the affected property and mailed to property owners. If the required corrective actions in an NOV are not resolved, further enforcement action is taken, including DOB abatement of the property, issuance of special assessments for the cost incurred by the District for performing abatement work, and an NOI.
Types of NOIs
Notice of Infraction Emergency (NOIE)
A Notice of Infraction Emergency (NOIE) is issued when a violation poses an immediate threat to public safety or health. An NOIE requires prompt corrective action to address urgent hazards including but not limited to:
- Fire safety hazards
- Heating failures
- Severe plumbing issues
DOB’s goal is to mitigate any potential risks quickly to ensure the safety of the occupants and the public. The NOIE will outline the specific infractions and provide a timeline for corrective actions that bring the property into compliance.
Notice of Infraction Routine (NOIR)
A Notice of Infraction Routine (NOIR) is issued for violations that, while not posing an immediate danger, still require attention to comply with building codes and regulations, to include:
- Cosmetic problems (e.g., chipping paint)
- Minor structural issues such as cracks in walls or ceilings
- Non-urgent plumbing issues such as leaky faucets or slow drains
The NOIR will outline the specific infractions and provide a timeline for corrective actions that bring the property into compliance.
Notice of Infraction Sanitation (NOIS)
A Notice of Infraction Sanitation (NOIS) is issued for sanitation-related violations, such as improper disposal of trash and debris, high grass, and overgrown weeds. The NOIS focuses on maintaining cleanliness and proper upkeep of properties to prevent health hazards and maintain community standards.
Before receiving a NOIS, property owners will receive a Sanitation Warning Letter, which is posted at the violation's location. This warning is a preliminary notice to address the sanitation concerns before further enforcement action is taken.
Property owners are required to address these issues within a specified timeframe to avoid further penalties or enforcement actions.
Notice of Infraction for Illegal Construction
An NOI is issued for violations to the District’s Construction Codes. The notice will outline specific infractions and corrective actions. Illegal Construction NOIs issued on an active construction site may be served after a Stop Work Order has been posted to the property. If a Stop Work Order is issued, corrective actions are included with this separate notice. Stop Work Orders may be resolved here.
Notice of Infraction for Failing to Register Vacant Property
An NOI is issued when property deemed vacant is not properly registered. It will outline the specific infractions and response instructions. To register vacant property, please visit our Vacant Buildings webpage.
Abatement of NOIs
Please note: to abate NOIs for illegal construction, visit this page.
Proof of abatement regarding housing code violations can consist of various types of documentation and evidence that demonstrate violations have been corrected and the property now complies with the relevant codes and regulations. Acceptance of evidence as sufficient proof of abatement is at the sole discretion of the inspector reviewing the evidence.
DOB has an automated Abatement Reminder Email initiative to encourage property owners to come into compliance with housing code violations. Our goal is to incentivize them to fix these violations quickly. The reminder emails have information on how to document the abatement of violations and settle the case. All customers have to do to stop the email reminders is to prove violations have been fixed.
Proof of abatement may include a combination of:
- Photographs or Videos:
- Before-and-after images showing the property's condition before and after the abatement.
- Videos providing a detailed visual inspection of the corrected violations.
- Receipts and Invoices: Invoices along with color photographs from contractors or service providers who performed the necessary repairs or maintenance work.
- Work Orders and Service Agreements: Detailed work orders outlining the repairs or maintenance performed, along with color photographs.
Proof of abatement may be uploaded in DOB’s abatement portal for review.
Additionally, please see our Alternative Resolution Team (ART) page. This program is designed to give customers financial relief from fines if proof of violation abatement is provided in a timely manner.
Schedule of Fines
Language enacted in 2018 under the Budget Support Act provides that beginning each January 1, DOB fines will increase in accordance with the change in the Consumer Price Index. Please note that fine amounts correspond to the infraction date, rather than the NOI issuance date. The Schedule of Fines for 2025 (calendar year) may be found here.