SWO · NYC Department of Buildings
Stop Work Orders
Work at your property must stop now. This is the most time-sensitive notice on this list.
What it is
A Stop Work Order halts construction at the property — either entirely, or partially for a specific portion of the work. It is posted at the site and it is enforced. Continuing to work in violation of an active SWO draws its own separate and substantially more serious penalties. An SWO is not something to work around; it is something to lift, in the correct order, as quickly as possible.
If it’s left alone
- Working in violation of an active order carries its own escalating penalties.
- Every day the order stands is a day of stalled schedule and carrying cost.
- The order blocks related permit activity and inspection sign-offs.
- Repeat violations of the order draw progressively harsher enforcement.
How we resolve it
- 01
Establish precisely what triggered the order and what scope it covers.
- 02
Sequence the corrections and filings the agency requires before it will consider a rescission.
- 03
Coordinate the contractor and design professional work needed to satisfy those conditions.
- 04
Request rescission and push the request through to a decision.
Other violation types
Start with the record
Find the property record first.
The City’s public tools can help you locate the property, permit and Stop Work Order information connected to your notice.