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Resolve DOB Elevator Violations

CAT1 and CAT5 violation payments are paid in DOB NOW: Safety. This includes both Failure to File and Failure to File an Affirmation of Correction violation types. DOB NOW: Safety will calculate the penalties owed and contains all elevator violation and inspection report data from the Building Information System (BIS) and DOB NOW.

Local Law 10 of 1981

To remedy a notice of violation for failure to file an elevator inspection and test report:

  • Provide a letter and proof of compliance, such as a copy of the filed inspection and test report(s) for the applicable cycle year; or,
  • Submit to the Department payment of the appropriate civil penalties per device and filing of a current inspection and test report(s) in DOB NOW: Safety.

To search and pay for a violation, follow these steps:

  • Use an NYC.ID account to log in at nyc.gov/dobnow. If you need to create an NYC.ID account, visit nyc.gov/dobnowtips.
  • Select DOB NOW: Safety and then the Violations portal.
  • From the dashboard select +Violation Search/Payment.
  • Search by Violation Number, Device Number, Address or BIN. When a device number, address or BIN is entered, all active violations will appear along with the amount of the civil penalty due for each violation.
  • Select the violation for which you want to pay. Only one violation can be paid at a time.
  • Click Save. The respondent information on the request is populated from the information found in the eFiling account that was used to log into DOB NOW.
  • Complete the Statements & Signature section and click Save again.
  • Select Proceed to Pay. You will then be taken to the CityPay portal to complete payment.

Violation Dismissal

Violations issued prior to 2016 are dismissed within 1 to 10 days depending on the form of payment. Violations from 2017 or later require payment and a current CAT1 or CAT5 inspection report in accepted status to have been filed in DOB NOW: Safety. An email notification will be sent when the payment has processed and the violation has been dismissed in the Buildings Information System (BIS). 

Civil Penalty Waivers

Most violations for failure to file an elevator inspection report cannot be dismissed without payment of the full civil penalty. In addition, a current elevator inspection report must be on file to clear violations from prior years. If you are a new owner or the elevator has been removed or is no longer required to file you may be eligible for a waiver.

To submit a waiver request, follow the below steps:

  • Use an NYC.ID account to log in at nyc.gov/dobnow. If you need to create an NYC.ID account, visit nyc.gov/dobnowtips.
  • Select DOB NOW: Safety and then the Violations portal.
  • From the dashboard select +Civil Penalty Waiver.
  • Search by Violation Number, Device Number, Address or BIN. When a device number, address or BIN is entered, all active violations will appear. Select the device number and then the specific associated violation(s) for which you want to submit a waiver request and press the +Add button. Only one device can be submitted per application and only five violations can be submitted per device. If there are more than five violations on a device, multiple applications will need to be submitted.
  • Select the Waiver Request Reason. See 1 RCNY §103-02 for waiver information.
  • Save the application to proceed. The respondent information on the request is populated from the information found in the eFiling account that was used to log into DOB NOW.
  • Upload any required supporting documentation on the Documents tab.
  • Complete the Statements & Signature section and Save the application again.
  • Select the Pay Now button to submit the payment of $35.00 in the CityPay portal.
  • The last step is to select the Submit button. The request will not be reviewed by DOB staff until the Submit button is selected. Payments made by eCheck will take up to 10 business days to be processed. An email notification will be sent when the payment has processed and the request has been sent to DOB staff for review.

An email notification will be sent with the status of the review. If the waiver is granted for all the violations on the device, the violation status in BIS will be updated to dismissed.

Elevator PVT Violation

If the violation is hazardous or was issued for no access to the device or machine room, a Certified Elevator Inspection Company must submit a letter, by mail or in-person to the Elevator Unit indicating the corrections made and requesting a re-inspection of the device.

If the violation is non-hazardous, the certified company may itself perform the re-inspection and submit an Affirmation of Correction (ELV29 Form) along with a copy of the violation to the Elevator Unit.

Only PVT companies may submit paper ELV29 Forms. All other Affirmations of Correction are required to be submitted in DOB NOW: Safety.

See the Elevator FAQs and the June 2020 Service Notice for more information. If you need further assistance submit an inquiry at nyc.gov/dobnowhelp.

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