Building Construction Complaint

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Call 911 to report immediate danger including:
  • Natural gas odors
  • Other potential gas leaks
  • Falling debris that is an immediate hazard
  • Accidents

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You can report a problem with active, ongoing building construction. The Department of Buildings (DOB) issues violations when appropriate.

To report past construction that altered or changed a building without prior approval from DOB, or a building being used contrary to its Certificate of Occupancy, go to Building Conversion or Occupancy Complaint page.

You can report active or ongoing construction work that's being done without a permit in a building with 3 or more occupied units. You must provide your contact information.

Include in your report:

  • If people are living in the building during construction
  • If a permit is posted

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

You can report active or ongoing construction work that's being done without a permit in a building with 1 or 2 occupied units. Violations are issued when appropriate.

Include in your report:

  • If people are living in the building during construction 
  • If a permit is posted

You can report active or ongoing construction work that's being done without a permit in a building that is

  • Unoccupied
  • Commercial
  • New construction

Violations are issued when appropriate. 

Include in your report: 

  • If a permit is posted

The Department of Buildings (DOB) allows for construction Monday to Friday between 7 AM and 6 PM. Owners of one- and two-family homes may make alterations or repairs on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM if the home is more than 300 feet from a house of worship.

Construction done without an approved variance on weekends or on weekdays before 7 AM or after 6 PM is not allowed.

You can report unauthorized after hours building construction taking place during these times.

Include in your report:

  • The type of work being done
  • The work hours
  • If a permit is posted

You can report active or ongoing building construction that doesn't follow approved plans. You can also report construction that's invading or encroaching on neighboring property.

Include in your report, if possible:

  • What specific work exceeds permits or plans
  • The 9 digit job application number 

A permit is a document stating that a particular construction, demolition, or alteration job or project has met all the necessary requirements of DOB and complies with the Building Code and the Zoning Resolution.

Plans for the project must be submitted and approved before the permit will be issued. A building permit must be displayed on the premises while work is being done.

Every permit has an expiration date.

You can report construction site debris that is falling or in danger of falling.

Include in your report:

  • What is falling
  • Which side of the building it's falling from
  • What part of the structure it's falling from

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

You can report excessive or large amounts of accumulated debris or materials around or near a building construction or renovation site. 

The Department of Buildings (DOB) responds to reports of accumulated excessive debris at construction sites, but it does not accept reports of debris on sidewalks or streets.

Include in your report:

  • The type of work being done
  • The type of debris

To report debris on a sidewalk, use the Dirty Sidewalk page.

To report debris on a street, use the Dirty Gutter page.

Workers and concerned observers can report a building construction site that is unsafe for construction workers. Anyone filing a report can choose to remain anonymous.

Include in your report:

  • The type of work being done
  • The worker's complaint about the construction work

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

Unprotected Neighboring Property

You can report building construction without protection to neighboring property such as, construction without a fence or safety netting that may damage neighboring property.

Include in your report:

  • The type of work being done
  • Which side of the building is not protected

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

Safety Netting

You can report damaged, inadequate, loose, or missing safety netting at a construction site.

Include in your report:

  • How the net is damaged
  • What area is not covered
  • What building particles or elements are escaping through the net

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

If you are a Site Safety Professional, contractor, job site owner, or other building construction professional, you must report worksite accidents that result in injury of construction workers or members of the public to DOB. Non-industry professionals should use Building Construction Complaint to report unsafe construction for workers or neighboring property. 

Learn more about reporting worksite accidents to DOB.

In addition, to comply with Local Law 78 of 2017, property owners and other responsible parties are required to report construction site incidents to the Department within three (3) business days using the Injury/Fatality Incident Information Form. 

Online

Injury/Fatality Incident Information Form

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Buildings
  • Division: Work Site Incident Hotline
  • Phone Number: (212) 602-0431
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

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