Which NYC Buildings Have the Most Violations? A Data-Driven Analysis
We analyzed violation records across 50,000+ NYC buildings using public city data from DOB, HPD, FDNY, ECB, and 311. Here is where violation density is highest and which building types need the most service work.
Our Methodology
BuildRadar's violation risk score (0-100) is a composite of signals drawn from multiple NYC public data sources:
Buildings scoring 80-100 are classified as CRITICAL, 60-79 as HIGH, 40-59 as MODERATE, and below 40 as LOW risk. Higher scores indicate more open violations, higher severity, and greater service demand.
Violations by Borough
The Bronx and Upper Manhattan have the highest violation density relative to building count. Brooklyn leads in total volume due to sheer building stock. Manhattan has the most ECB penalty dollars outstanding.
| Borough | Buildings | Critical/High % | Top Violation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 14,200+ | 41% | DOB / ECB |
| Brooklyn | 12,800+ | 37% | HPD / Mold |
| Bronx | 8,400+ | 46% | HPD / Water |
| Queens | 9,600+ | 29% | DOB / FDNY |
| Staten Island | 3,200+ | 22% | DOB |
The Bronx is the standout opportunity for service contractors. The highest Critical/High percentage of any borough, with strong concentrations in neighborhoods like Morrisania, Highbridge, and the South Bronx. HPD mold and water violations dominate, creating steady demand for remediation contractors.
Highest-Violation Building Types
Not all buildings accumulate violations at the same rate. These building types consistently show the highest violation density:
Pre-war multifamily (built before 1950)
CriticalAging plumbing, deteriorating facades, lead paint in pre-1978 units, and original boiler systems. These buildings lead in HPD mold, water, and lead violations. Concentrated in the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and central Brooklyn. Average violation score: 76.
Large residential towers (100+ units)
HighHigh tenant density means more complaints. Common issues include HVAC system failures, water infiltration across multiple floors, mold in basement and ground-level units, and fire code violations in common areas. Average violation score: 68.
Mixed-use commercial/residential
HighGround-floor commercial with residential above creates overlapping violation exposure. Restaurant exhaust and grease trap issues, shared HVAC systems, and fire code requirements for commercial use drive a mix of DOB, FDNY, and HPD violations. Average violation score: 63.
Older commercial buildings (pre-1970)
ModerateAsbestos in insulation and floor tiles, outdated fire suppression systems, and deferred maintenance on HVAC and ductwork. DOB and FDNY violations are most common. Average violation score: 54.
Violation Categories by Volume
Based on our analysis of recent NYC violation data, here is how complaints and violations break down by category:
Mold, moisture, and water damage account for half of all building violations. This is why mold remediation and water mitigation contractors have the broadest addressable market on BuildRadar.
Where the Opportunities Are
For contractors looking to grow their service business using violation data, the analysis points to three high-value strategies:
1. Target the Bronx and central Brooklyn
Highest violation density with less competition from established service providers. Pre-war multifamily stock with chronic mold, water, and lead issues. Building owners in these areas are accustomed to receiving violation notices and are actively seeking contractors.
2. Focus on buildings with stacked violations
A building with HPD mold violations AND water damage complaints AND DOB maintenance issues likely needs multiple services. Cross-selling mold remediation with water mitigation and duct cleaning dramatically increases contract value per building.
3. Lead with the violation, not a sales pitch
When you contact a building owner and reference their specific open violation by number, you instantly establish credibility. You are not cold-calling - you are showing up with a solution to a documented problem that carries financial penalties.
Find High-Violation Buildings in Your Territory
BuildRadar scores every building in your ZIP code by violation risk across DOB, HPD, FDNY, and ECB. See which ones need your services most urgently - before your competitors do.
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