Who needs one
Which buildings need an annual inspection.
| Required | Not required |
|---|---|
| Low-pressure boilers in residential buildings with 6 or more families | Residential buildings with 5 families or fewer |
| Single Room Occupancy (SRO) dwellings | Individual boilers that heat a single residential unit |
| Mixed-use buildings (commercial and residential units) | Low-pressure boilers with an input of 100,000 BTU or less |
| Commercial buildings, and H-stamp domestic hot water heaters over 350,000 BTU in residential, mixed-use and commercial buildings | H-stamp hot water heaters in residential buildings with 5 families or fewer |
High-pressure boilers follow a different schedule: an internal and an external inspection about six months apart, done by an authorized insurance company.
How it works
The inspection and the filing.
- Inspections can only be done by a DOB-licensed boiler inspector or an authorized insurance company.
- The inspection cycle runs January 1 to December 31 each year.
- Reports are filed online in DOB NOW: Safety, and the window after the inspection is short, so file promptly.
- If defects are found, correct them and file the subsequent report within 180 days of the inspection. The report isn’t complete until that filing is made.
- New or replaced boilers must pass a DOB First Test Inspection before they’re used.
Penalties
What a missed filing costs.
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Late subsequent report (after 180 days) | $50 per boiler for each month late |
| Inspection report not filed, or expired | $1,000 per boiler |
| Affirmation of Correction not filed | $1,000 per boiler, plus the monthly late amount |
Owners can request an extension of the subsequent filing deadline or a penalty waiver through DOB NOW: Safety. Criteria are set in DOB’s rules.
Got a boiler violation or a missed filing? Call us and we’ll check what’s open and what it takes to close it.
Call (929) 367-0962Questions
Frequently asked.
Does a small building need boiler inspections?
Residential buildings with 5 families or fewer generally don’t need annual low-pressure boiler inspections. Mixed-use and commercial buildings usually do, regardless of size.
Who files the report?
The licensed inspector or insurance company performs the inspection, and the report is filed in DOB NOW: Safety. Owners are responsible for making sure it gets filed and for correcting any defects.
What if I got a boiler violation?
Violations for missed filings can be resolved by completing the filing and, where allowed, requesting a penalty waiver. A violations review shows what’s open and the fastest way to close it.
Sources
Official sources.
General information about New York City procedures, last reviewed November 2026. Amounts and rules change and every property is different, so this isn’t legal advice. Call us about your specific situation.