A Stop Work Order (SWO) is an official directive issued by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) or another regulatory agency that requires all construction or renovation work at a property to cease immediately. It’s a serious enforcement action, typically issued when work is being performed without proper permits, in violation of safety codes, or in a way that poses a danger to workers, residents, or the public.
Why Stop Work Orders Are Issued
A Stop Work Order can be triggered by a variety of issues, including:
Construction or alterations being done without required permits.
Unsafe or hazardous conditions observed at the site.
Failure to comply with the building code, zoning regulations, or approved plans.
Obstruction of DOB inspectors or refusal to provide access for inspection.
Once an SWO is in place, all work must stop immediately except for tasks specifically approved to make the site safe (for example, shoring up a wall or removing debris).
What Tenants Should Know
If you live in a building with an active Stop Work Order, it means that no construction or renovation work should be taking place. Any ongoing work could be illegal and unsafe. You can verify the status of an SWO through the DOB’s Building Information System (BIS) or DOB NOW website by entering your building’s address.
Stop Work Orders are intended to protect the public and ensure accountability. If enforced properly, they help keep tenants safe and make sure that any future work in the building meets legal and safety standards.
You can view a full citywide map of Stop Work Orders at this link here: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/html/swo-map.html
Check to see how your building compares to others!
Leave a Reply