Month: July 2025

Often when a unit owner or homeowner is about to sell their property, the title search turns up old permits or filings. These were done by previous owners. Such issues can hold up the closing. S&M can help with closing out old permits or filings.

If this has happened to you, don’t despair.  There is a solution. Depending on the age of the filing, and if all permits required for the project were issued back then, you will need to hire a registered architect (RA) or professional engineer (PE). They will assist with reinstating the application.  

When the application for reinstatement has been approved and the reinstatement fee paid, then the close out of the application can commence.  In cases where there was a plumbing permit that was not closed out, a new plumber may be needed. This is necessary if the original plumber is not available.  

For those cases where the filing status shows that not all required permits were issued, the Department of Buildings (DOB) will require that the plans for the project be re-filed.  

S&M Expediting can help with the close out of old filings.  Give us a call. 

A Department of Buildings (DOB) inspector shows up at your home or place of business and issues a work without a permit violation.  What is your next step?  The first step is to reach out to a reputable permit expediting company like S & M Expediting. They will help assemble the right team you will need to get you out of this jam. 

Work without permits violations are common and unfortunately, costly violations to resolve. If left unresolved, these violations can lead to heavier fines. They can also trigger enforcement actions depending on the severity of the violating condition. 

Clearing a violation for work without a permit

How does one clear a violation for work without a permit?  You do this by taking the necessary steps to obtain a permit.  In some cases, you will have to hire a registered architect (RA) or professional engineer (PE). Their job is to prepare plans to be filed with the DOB.  Once approved, the required civil penalty must be paid. This must happen before the contractor can obtain a permit.  If the violation was for plumbing or electrical work done without a permit, hire a plumber or electrician to obtain a permit. Plans are not required in this case.  Required civil penalty will have to be paid before the permit is issued. 

Civil penalty paid to the DOB is based on the filing fee paid when the job is filed.  Since 2018, the penalty for work without a permit for a one-or two family house is six times the filing fee. The minimum civil penalty is $600.  For all other buildings, the civil penalty is twenty-one times the filing fee.  The minimum penalty is $6000. Meanwhile, the maximum is $15,000. 

You may think that once the civil penalty is paid, the violation is closed out. However, you would be wrong.  If the violation issued was an OATH violation, you’d have to appear at a hearing. In order for the violation to be resolved, you also need to file a Certificate of Correction.  If you are issued a regular DOB violation with no hearing date, an inspection by a DOB inspector is required. This is necessary to have the violation dismissed. 

Reach out to S &M Expediting if you have been issued a violation for work without a permit.  We will help you clear your violation.