Enter your violation details below to instantly estimate your current fine exposure, daily penalty accrual, and OATH hearing timeline — based on actual NYC ECB penalty schedules.
NYC DOB fire escape violations carry a base penalty determined by violation class (Class 1: $800–$5,000, Class 2: $500–$2,500, Class 3: $200–$800) plus a daily accrual rate that begins once the cure period expires. The total exposure is the base penalty plus the accrued daily penalties for the number of days the violation has been open. The calculator above estimates this from the violation type and issue date you provide.
Missing your OATH/ECB hearing results in an automatic default judgment. This significantly increases your total penalty and makes the violation harder to resolve. You must file a motion to vacate the default at OATH, demonstrate cause for the default, and present correction evidence. Legal representation is strongly recommended for default situations. Never miss your hearing date.
The cure period depends on violation class. Class 1 (immediately hazardous) violations typically have a 7-day cure period. Class 2 (major) violations typically allow 35 days. Class 3 (lesser) violations may allow 60 days. After the cure period expires, daily penalty accrual begins. Check your specific Notice of Violation for the exact cure date.
A Certificate of Correction is the official DOB document that confirms a violation has been resolved. It is filed through DOB NOW: Safety by a licensed contractor, accompanied by before-and-after photo documentation and a compliance report. A Certificate of Correction removes the violation from your building's BIS record and is the primary evidence used to request penalty reduction or dismissal at an OATH hearing.
Yes. Property owners who correct violations before their OATH hearing and appear with a Certificate of Correction frequently receive significant penalty reductions or full dismissals. OATH judges have discretion to reduce penalties based on correction timeline, good faith, and documented compliance. Default judgments are much harder to reduce and typically require legal representation to vacate.
The cost depends on the nature of the violation — minor painting violations are far less expensive to correct than structural repair or welding violations. NYC Fire Escape Painting provides free on-site estimates for all violation work. Most Class 2 painting and rust correction projects range from $1,500–$4,500 depending on building height and scope, which is typically far less than the accumulated ECB penalty if left unresolved.
Yes. The penalty schedule is citywide, so the estimate is accurate for any NYC borough. NYC Fire Escape Painting is a Manhattan-focused specialist — if your building is in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, call us to confirm service availability before scheduling work.
NYC Fire Escape Painting is a licensed contractor providing fire escape repair, restoration, and violation correction across NYC. We are known for fast response, code-compliant work, and documented inspection support.