+ Certificate of Occupancy
The key document used to certify the legal use and occupancy of a building is called the "Certificate of Occupancy" (C of O). The document is issued by the Department of Buildings and describes how a building may be occupied, for example, a two-family home, a parking lot, a 40-unit multiple dwelling, or a store. A C of O is often required when selling a home or refinancing a mortgage.
*Information obtained from Dept. of Buildings
A valid Certificate of Occupancy is required for all recent or new buildings throughout the 5 boroughs. Like a fingerprint, the c of o identifies characteristics that are specific to the property such as use group, room count and other important information. Obtaining C of O can be a complicated & lengthy process. Let Building Brothers help you formulate a strategy to obtain your C of O in an expedient manner.
The Importance A Valid Certificate of Occupancy
When considering whether to buy or sell a property, a valid Certificate of Occupancy is a crucial detail that demands yours attention. Banks will typically deny mortgage applications for properties that do not have a valid Certificate of Occupancy. If perspective buyers are unable to obtain financing, a seller will be limited to cash offers; which will greatly reduce the likelihood of selling the property for the desired price. Building Brothers can help you obtain a valid Certificate of Occupancy so you can realize the maximum value at the time of sale.
+ Permits
New York City laws require that permits be obtained before starting construction work. The procedure for filing an application for construction permits in New York City is increasingly difficult to navigate.
Building Brothers Can Help
With over a decade of experience dealing with an array of scenarios, we make filing your project easy with "in house" application preparation and attention to detail. Although the process varies somewhat between the boroughs, we continue to provide consistent service that will exceed your expectations.
More often than not, permit applications are filed by a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA). If you don’t already have an Architect or Engineer, Building Brothers can connect you to the right applicant for your project.
+ Violation Removal
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD (ECB) VIOLATION An ECB violation is a notice that a property does not comply with a provision of the NYC Building Code and/or NYC Zoning Resolution. ECB violations are resolved at the Environmental Control Board, an administrative law court, where a civil penalty may be imposed although the violations are entered against the property in the Department of Buildings Information System (BIS).
Resolving an ECB violation imposes two obligations: (a) to pay a civil penalty and correct the violating condition, and (b) to file a Certificate of Correction with the Department of Buildings at its main office either by mail or in person. To certify correction, file a Certificate of Correction form with accompanying proof that the condition has been corrected. If the Department accepts the proof, the property's record in BIS will show that the violation was corrected and certificate accepted. If a violation is dismissed at ECB, it will continue to appear as "open" in BIS until acceptable proof is submitted that the violating condition has been corrected even if the penalty imposed at ECB has been paid. Check "Resolving Department of Buildings Violations" (75 kb) for further information.
ECB Penalty Schedule
The most common type of violation issued by the Department of Buildings is called an ECB Notice of Violation because it can result in a hearing at the Environmental Control Board (ECB), an administrative court. The ECB Notice of Violation contains a notice that a property does not comply with applicable provisions of law.
View the complete ECB Penalty Schedule and penalty information in pdf (91 kb) or Excel (331 kb).
Definitions List for ECB Penalty Schedule
Penalty: The civil penalty associated with a particular ECB violation. If the violation can be "cured" and the Administrative Enforcement Unit at the DOB accepts the correction within 35 days of the service of the violation, no appearance in ECB court is necessary and no penalty is imposed.
Mitigated Penalty: This is the reduced penalty (generally, one-half) imposed for a first-offense violation for which satisfactory evidence of compliance has been submitted and approved by the first scheduled hearing date. In some second-offense cases a mitigation penalty also may be available.
Default Penalty: This is the penalty imposed by ECB for the failure to appear for a first offense violation.
2nd Offense Penalty: This is the board-approved penalty imposed for a second or multiple-offense violation for the same condition.
2nd Offense Maximum Default Penalty: This is the penalty imposed by ECB for the failure to appear for a second or multiple offense violation.
*Information obtained from Dept. of Buildings
+ Registrations & Renewals
Permit Renewals
Building Brothers, Inc. can handle the renewal of your expiring permits in a timely fashion so you don’t have to stop work at your site.
Contractor License & Insurance updates
Any licensed contractor who has neglected to update their license & insurance information with the Dept. of Buildings knows the frustration of having their permit application rejected. Building Brothers, Inc. can update your insurance information before your license expires so your ability to pull permits remains constant.
Contractor License Registration
Interested in becoming a NYC licensed contractor? Building Brothers, Inc. can help you navigate the registration process & prepare the required paperwork.