HPD Rodent Violations in NYC: Classes, Deadlines and How to Clear Them
When HPD inspects a NYC apartment building and finds mice or rats, it can issue a violation to the owner. This guide explains how the classes work, the deadlines HPD publishes, what penalties look like, and how pest violations get cleared. Always check HPD's own pages for the latest rules.
How HPD classifies violations
HPD enforces the Housing Maintenance Code and sorts violations into three classes. Class A is non hazardous, Class B is hazardous, and Class C is immediately hazardous. Rodent conditions can fall in more than one class depending on what the inspector finds.
| Class | Meaning | Time to correct |
|---|---|---|
| A | Non hazardous | 90 days |
| B | Hazardous | 30 days |
| C (mice, cockroaches, rats) | Immediately hazardous | 21 days |
| C (other hazards) | Immediately hazardous | 24 hours |
Public checklists list roaches or mice as Class B, and mice or rats coming in through holes in walls or floors as Class C. Treat these as examples. The violation on your building's record shows the class that applies.
Penalties
HPD publishes civil penalties for violations issued on or after December 8, 2023. For buildings with more than five units they run from $50 to $150 for Class A, $75 to $500 for Class B, and $150 to $1,200 for Class C, with daily amounts added when a violation stays open. Fees and enforcement can also follow if violations are not corrected.
How owners clear a pest violation
- Fix the actual conditions first. HPD says to certify only after the work is done.
- Use a pest professional to treat and, more importantly, seal the entry points and fix moisture. Integrated pest management is required by law.
- Certify correction on paper. HPD's eCertification cannot be used for pest, mold or lead based paint violations.
- Expect that HPD may audit the certification and send an inspector. If the condition is still there, the violation goes into false certification status and penalties can follow.
- If the deadline is missed, a dismissal request and reinspection are needed before the violation is closed.
Keep service reports, photos of sealed openings and follow up visit records. They are the best evidence if a tenant challenges a certification.
Why violations come back
Most repeat rodent violations come from treating the symptom. Bait stations alone do not close the pipe chase behind the stove or the gap around a radiator pipe. Buildings that clear violations for good seal the structure, fix leaks, manage trash and monitor afterward.
Our commercial and property manager programs include a logbook and photo record of every sealed opening, so the file is ready when HPD or a tenant asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What class violation is a mouse or rat problem?
It depends on the findings. HPD checklists treat mice and roaches as Class B, and mice or rats entering through holes as Class C. HPD gives 21 days to correct Class C violations for mice, cockroaches and rats.
Can I certify a pest violation online?
No. HPD says eCertification cannot be used for pest, mold or lead based paint violations. Use the paper certification process.
What happens if I certify but the problem is still there?
HPD can audit the certification. If the condition is found uncorrected, the violation goes into false certification status, stays open, and penalties can follow.
Who can apply pesticide in a NYC building?
HPD's integrated pest management guide says pesticide must be applied by a professional licensed by New York State DEC, and that pesticide does not replace the other required steps.
Sources
Rules and numbers on this page come from these public sources. Check them for the latest wording, since agencies update their pages.
- HPD: Clear Violations
- HPD: Penalties and Fees
- HPD: Integrated Pest Management guide (PDF)
- LawHelpNY: HPD Violations Checklist (PDF)