Avoid Violations

FAQ

Learn basic rules to avoid common business violations

Select your business type or industry to display a list of common violations. 

Keep your restaurant in compliance and avoid fines.

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Buildings, Department of

Occupancy contrary to that allowed by the Certificate of Occupancy or Building Department records
(Penalty: $400 - $25,000 fine)

Consumer and Worker Protection, Department of

Failure to post a refund policy
(Penalty: $50 - $500 fine)

Failure to clearly mark prices for products
(Penalty: $25 - $250 fine for each group of identical items)

Engaging in unfair trade practices
(Penalty: $50 - $500 fine)

Failure to give a receipt or giving an incomplete receipt
(Penalty: $50 - $500 fine)

Failure to respond to Notice of Hearing issued by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
(Penalty: Up to $500 fine)

Environmental Protection, Department of

Failure to install a backflow prevention device
(Penalty: $700 fine)

Failure to submit an annual test report for a backflow prevention device
(Penalty: $500 fine)

Noise from a circulation device (e.g., air conditioner, HVAC, etc.) in excess of 42 decibels
(Penalty: $560 - $1,680 fine)

Unreasonable noise from a sound reproduction device (e.g., loud music)
(Penalty: $440 - $1,320 fine)

Failure to adopt or implement a Noise Mitigation Plan at a construction site
(Penalty: $875 - $2,625 fine)

Unreasonable noise from a sound reproduction device for commercial or business advertising purposes
(Penalty: $700 - $2,100 fine)

Causing or permitting unreasonable noise
(Penalty: $350 - $1,350 fine)

Failure to install or maintain a grease interceptor
(Penalty: $100 - $400 fine)

Operating an emission source (boiler) with an expired registration
(Penalty: $350 - $545 fine)

Fire Department

Failure to obtain specified fire safety permit or submit copy of permit fee receipt
(Penalty: $1,000 - $5,000 fine)

Failure to provide or maintain fire safety records
(Penalty: $1,000 - $5,000 fine)

Failure to provide or maintain required signs, postings, notices, or instructions
(Penalty: $1,000 - $5,000 fine)

Failure to provide and/or maintain required fire protection systems and/or prevent unnecessary or unwarranted alarms
(Penalty: $1,000 - $5,000 fine)

Failure to obtain specified Certificates of Fitness and Certificates of Qualification (Submit copy of certificate)
(Penalty: $1,000 - $5,000 fine)

Failure to conduct specified fire-safety inspection/test
(Penalty: $1,000 - $5,000 fine)

Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of

Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor or manager of food operations
(Penalty: $500 - $1000, fine doubles after second violation)

Hot food item not held at or above 140°F
(Penalty: $250 - $600 fine, 7 - 28 points)

Cold food item held above 41°F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38°F) except during necessary preparation
(Penalty: $250 - $600 fine, 7 - 28 points)

Evidence of pests (e.g., rats, mice, roaches, or flies) or live pests present in facility's food and/or non-food areas
(Penalty: $200 - $350 fine, 5 - 28 points)

Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist
(Penalty: $200 fine, 4 - 5 points)

Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service
(Penalty: $200 - $350 fine, 5 - 8 points)

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed, or sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred
(Penalty: $200 - $300 fine, 5 - 8 points)

Non-food contact surface improperly constructed
(Penalty: $200 fine, 2 - 5 points)

Plumbing is not properly installed or maintained
(Penalty: $200 fine, 2 - 28 points)

Sanitation, Department of

Dirty sidewalk
(Penalty: $100 - $300 fine)

Dirty area
(Penalty: $100 - $300 fine)

Failure to clean 18 inches into the street
(Penalty: $100 - $300 fine)

Failure to post a private carter decal
(Penalty: $100 fine)

Sidewalk obstruction
(Penalty: $100 - $300 fine)

Improper use of DSNY litter basket
(Penalty: $100 - $350 fine)

Improper disposal
(Penalty: $100 - $200 fine)

Loose rubbish
(Penalty: $100 - $200 fine)

Failure to remove snow and ice from sidewalk
(Penalty: $100 - $350 fine)

Street obstruction
(Penalty: $100 - $150 fine)

Failure to keep designated recyclables separate from garbage
(Penalty: $100 - $400 fine)

Transportation, Department of

Failure to provide equipment to a commercial bicyclist
(Penalty: $100 - $250 fine)

Failure of a business using a bicycle for commercial purposes to produce or maintain a roster
(Penalty: $100 - $250 fine)

Failure to properly equip a bicycle used for commercial purposes
(Penalty: $100 - $250 fine)

Failure to post a Commercial Bicyclist Safety poster
(Penalty: $100 - $250 fine)

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