Property Compliance Glossary

Clear definitions for the agencies, records, filings, and enforcement terms found throughout Violerts.

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ACRIS: ACRIS, or the Automated City Register Information System, provides access to legal documents recorded against a property, such as deeds, mortgages, and other transactions. On the Violerts dashboard, this appears as ACRIS Legals, ACRIS Documents, and ACRIS Sales and Transfers.
BBL: Borough, Block, and Lot: the tax-lot identifier used to locate a New York City property.
BIN: Building Identification Number: the unique number assigned by the Department of Buildings to a building.
Building Class: A building class categorizes structures based on their use and occupancy, which affects zoning regulations, tax assessments, and compliance requirements. In NYC, building classes are typically divided into residential (Class A and B), commercial, industrial, and special-use categories. Class A includes standard residential buildings such as apartment complexes and one- to two-family homes. Class B includes transient residences, such as hotels and dormitories. Commercial classes cover office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants. Industrial classes include factories and warehouses. Special-use classes may include government buildings, schools, and hospitals.
Certificate of Occupancy: A document stating a building’s legal use, occupancy classification, and permitted configuration.
CityPay Ticket: CityPay is New York City’s online platform for paying various fines, including DOB, FDNY, and ECB violations.
Commercial Overlay: A commercial overlay is a zoning designation that permits limited commercial uses—such as retail stores, restaurants, or offices—within primarily residential areas. These overlays are mapped onto residential zoning districts to support local businesses while preserving the character of the neighborhood. On the dashboard, these are labeled as Commercial Overlay 1 (C1) and Commercial Overlay 2 (C2): C1 overlays allow low-intensity commercial uses such as small service businesses, dry cleaners, and corner stores. C2 overlays allow a broader range of commercial uses, including restaurants and repair shops, with slightly fewer restrictions. The rules also affect signage, building design, and how close businesses can be to residential properties.
CO vs. TCO: A CO, or Certificate of Occupancy, is a permanent document issued by the DOB confirming that a building complies with all applicable codes and is safe for its intended use. A TCO, or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, allows partial or temporary occupancy while final approvals or outstanding work are completed. TCOs must be renewed periodically until a full CO is obtained.
Complaint: A report submitted to a city agency about a potentially unsafe or noncompliant condition.
DOB: New York City Department of Buildings, the agency that regulates construction and building use.
DOB BIS vs. DOB NOW: DOB BIS, or Building Information System, is the older system for viewing permits, complaints, and violations with the DOB. DOB NOW is the modernized portal for filings, payments, and permit applications.
DOB Complaint vs. DOB Violation: A DOB complaint is a reported issue that may or may not lead to enforcement action. A DOB violation is an official finding of noncompliance that will lead to enforcement action.
Docket Book: A docket book is a historical record of building transactions, often used for legal and research purposes. Copies can be requested from Department of Buildings (DOB) borough offices or through a Full Historic Information Request.
ECB: Environmental Control Board, the former name commonly used for matters now heard by OATH’s Hearings Division.
Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency measures how effectively a building uses energy and is often regulated under New York City’s Local Law 97 and other sustainability laws. Energy-efficiency ratings are intended to help lower carbon emissions from buildings.
FAR: FAR, or Floor Area Ratio, is the ratio of a building’s total floor area to the size of its lot, regulating how much floor space can be developed. It is calculated by dividing the building’s total gross floor area by the area of the lot it occupies. FAR regulations differ between commercial and residential zones. Commercial FAR typically allows for larger buildings with greater density, while residential FAR is typically more restrictive to maintain livability.
FDNY: Fire Department of the City of New York, responsible for fire prevention and life-safety enforcement.
Full Historic Information Request: A full historic information request is made for comprehensive DOB records, including permits, violations, and certificates of occupancy. It is often used during due diligence.
HPD: New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which enforces housing quality standards.
HPD Multiple Dwelling: HPD, or the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, requires residential property owners to register a property as a multiple dwelling if it contains three or more residential units.
Landmark: A structure, district, or site officially recognized by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for its historical or architectural significance. With an LPC designation, a building is protected from unapproved alterations or demolition. The Violerts dashboard breaks out landmark details by architect, primary style, building material, and original use.
Land Use: Land use refers to the official classification of how a property is used, based on NYC’s zoning and tax assessment categories. Unlike zoning districts, which regulate what can be built, land use codes indicate how a property is currently used—which is why numeric designations often appear on the dashboard. These numeric codes correspond to specific use categories assigned by the NYC Department of City Planning. For example: 01 – One- and Two-Family Buildings 02 – Multi-Family Walk-Up Buildings 04 – Mixed Residential & Commercial 05 – Commercial & Office Buildings 07 – Industrial & Manufacturing 09 – Open Space & Outdoor Recreation 11 – Educational Facilities
Local Laws: Local laws are city-specific regulations that govern building safety, energy efficiency, and compliance. Many apply citywide, while others are tailored to specific zoning districts, occupancy types, or building classifications. These laws often reflect local priorities, such as sustainability or neighborhood preservation, and can vary depending on location.
OATH: Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, which hears many summonses issued by New York City agencies.
OER: OER, or the New York City Office of Environmental Remediation, oversees programs that manage brownfield cleanup and environmental protection initiatives.
Open Violation: A cited condition that has not yet been certified, corrected, dismissed, or otherwise closed by the issuing agency.
Open Data: NYC Open Data provides free public data published across a broad range of city databases.
Permit: Agency authorization allowing specified construction, alteration, equipment, or occupancy work to proceed.
Post Amendment Approval: A Post Amendment Approval is a DOB filing used to revise or update an already approved set of plans or permits. It is typically required when changes are made to the scope, layout, or design after the initial approval.
Public Assembly: Public Assembly is a use classification requiring special permits for spaces where 75 or more people gather, such as theaters, restaurants, or event halls.
SRO Restricted: An SRO, or Single Room Occupancy, restriction limits a building’s conversion to another use without city approval, typically to preserve affordable housing.
Stop Work Order: An order requiring work at a property to stop until the cited safety or compliance issues are resolved.
Tax Lien Sale: Tax Lien Sale is a process in which the city sells unpaid property tax debts to private investors, who can then collect payments or initiate foreclosure.
Temporary Public Assembly: Temporary Public Assembly is a short-term permit required for gatherings of 75 or more people in spaces not already approved for public assembly, such as pop-ups, temporary events, or seasonal installations.
TUP: A TUP, or Temporary Use Permit, is issued to allow short-term activities or occupancy that would not normally comply with zoning regulations.
Zoning District: A zoning district defines how land can be used in a given area. In NYC, zoning districts are organized into three main categories: Residential (R), Commercial (C), and Manufacturing (M). Each district includes numerical designations, such as R6 or C2-4, that determine building types, density, and use. A lot may have one or more zoning designations—this is where the “Zoning 1/2” and “Zoning 3/4” entries on the dashboard come in. Zoning 1/2 means the lot is split between two zoning districts. Zoning 3/4 means the lot spans four zoning designations. This affects how much of the property can be developed under each zoning rule and often requires more complex planning or filings. Some zoning districts also have overlays, such as Commercial Overlay 1 or 2, or special purpose districts with additional restrictions or incentives.

Property Compliance Glossary

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