The Short Answer
- 01Who: low-pressure boilers in residential buildings with six or more units, and in every commercial and mixed-use building. Buildings with five units or fewer are exempt.
- 02When: each boiler is inspected between January 1 and December 31, and the report is filed in DOB NOW: Safety within 14 days of the inspection.
- 03Defects must be corrected within 90 days of the inspection, with an Affirmation of Correction filed within 14 days of the fix.
- 04Penalties: $50 a month per boiler for a late report, up to $600, and $1,000 per boiler for a report never filed or defects left uncorrected.
- 05Several DOB web pages still say 45 days to file. The rule has been 14 days since January 1, 2022.
In This Guide
01
Which Boilers Need an Inspection
Every boiler owner needs an inspection at least once a year, with two exceptions for low-pressure boilers in residential buildings, set out in Buildings Bulletin 2025-001.
- Residential, 6 or more units
- Annual inspectionRequired
- Commercial or mixed-use
- Annual inspectionRequired, regardless of boiler size
- Single-room occupancy (SRO)
- Annual inspectionRequired
- Residential, 5 units or fewer
- Annual inspectionExempt
- Boiler inside one apartment, serving only that unit
- Annual inspectionExempt
High-pressure boilers are inspected twice a year: once internally with the boiler shut down and opened, and once externally while it runs, about six months apart (1 RCNY §103-05).
02
The Inspection Cycle and Deadlines
The cycle runs with the calendar year. These are the deadlines from 1 RCNY §103-01, counted from the inspection date unless noted.
- 1
Hire a Qualified Inspector
The owner hires the inspector. Licensed master plumbers qualify, as do insurance company inspectors, licensed high-pressure boiler operating engineers, and Class A or B oil burner installers, each with a NYS certificate of competence.
- 2
Inspect by December 31
Each boiler is inspected once between January 1 and December 31. The inspection covers the controls and safety devices, the low-water cutoff, the flue connection to the chimney, and combustion air.
- 3
File Within 14 Days
The report goes into DOB NOW: Safety within 14 days of the inspection, with a $30 filing fee per boiler.
- 4
Correct Defects Within 90 Days
Defects on the report must be fixed within 90 days of the inspection. Up to two 45-day extensions are possible, but only for circumstances outside the owner's control.
- 5
File the Affirmation of Correction
Within 14 days of the fix. An affirmation filed more than 104 days after the inspection is rejected.
03
Penalties for Late or Missing Filings
DOB counts penalties per boiler (1 RCNY §103-01).
- Late report, filed after 14 days
- Penalty$50 a month per boiler, up to $600
- Report never filed
- Penalty$1,000 per boiler
- Defects not corrected or affirmation not filed
- Penalty$1,000 per boiler
- Removal or disconnection notice filed late
- Penalty$50 a month, up to $500
A report filed after January 14 of the following year counts as never filed: the building owes the $1,000 penalty and needs a new inspection.
Waivers exist in limited cases, including a new owner with a recorded deed, a boiler removed before the cycle, and a one-time waiver for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
04
Filing Fees
DOB's fees under 1 RCNY §101-03:
- Inspection report
- Fee$30 per boiler
- Affirmation of Correction
- Fee$30
- Filing extension
- Fee$15
- Removal or disconnection
- Fee$45
- Penalty waiver request
- Fee$30
05
How to Check a Boiler's Status
Search the building by address or BIN on the DOB NOW public portal, no account needed, and open its boiler records to see each boiler's filings and compliance. Older filings are in DOB's Buildings Information System (BIS).
We handle the inspection, the DOB NOW filing, and the defect repairs and affirmation. See our annual boiler inspection service.
06
Common Questions
When is the NYC boiler inspection deadline?
Each boiler must be inspected by December 31, and the report filed in DOB NOW: Safety within 14 days of the inspection. A report filed after January 14 of the next year counts as never filed.
Is it 14 days or 45 days to file a boiler inspection report?
14 days. Local Law 126 of 2021 cut the window from 45 days starting January 1, 2022, though some DOB pages still show the old number.
Do small buildings need a boiler inspection?
Low-pressure boilers in residential buildings with five or fewer units are exempt. Commercial and mixed-use buildings need inspections regardless of boiler size.
Who can perform a DOB boiler inspection?
A qualified boiler inspector the owner hires: a licensed master plumber or a journeyman working for one, an insurance company inspector, a licensed high-pressure boiler operating engineer, or a Class A or B oil burner installer, each with a NYS certificate of competence.
What is the penalty for not filing a boiler inspection?
$1,000 per boiler for a report never filed, and $50 a month per boiler, up to $600, for a late one.
How long do I have to fix boiler defects?
90 days from the inspection, then 14 days to file the Affirmation of Correction. Owners can request up to two 45-day extensions for circumstances outside their control.
Sources
- NYC DOB: Boiler Compliance
- NYC DOB: Buildings Bulletin 2025-001 (February 12, 2025)
- 1 RCNY §103-01: Low-Pressure Boilers
- 1 RCNY §103-05: High-Pressure Boilers
- 1 RCNY §101-03: Fees
- NYC DOB Service Notice: Boiler Code Updates (December 30, 2021)
This guide explains NYC rules in plain terms. It isn't legal advice, and rules and utility procedures change; check the sources above or call us about your building.