Understanding Building Violations: Order Types and How to Resolve

The City of Philadelphia works hard to ensure that all residential buildings, commercial buildings, private homes, and other structures are safe spaces to live in. To put it shortly, the way this works is that if an inspector notices a code violation, they will send out a notice. Then it's up to the owner to get the property up to code. In this blog, we will explain what all the different types of notices are, what each means and what steps need to be taken to solve the problem.

Types of violations:

• Warning Notice

A warning notice gets issued to property owners,  business license holders, and trade license holders. If a code infraction is noticed by an inspector, they might send a warning notice. No further investigation takes place. It is your job to correct the violation, or an official violation could be issued.

• Violation Notice and Order to Correct (NOV)

NOV gets issued to property owners, contractors, businesses, or individuals. This violation type gets sent out when a construction project doesn’t meet safety standards, work is not authorized, or a violation of code is witnessed. This violation stays open unless it is fixed or an official request is made and approved. It's important to note that if you choose to file an appeal, the violation fee will grow until the case is resolved. If you take neither of these steps, L&I may file a case in the Municipal Court.

• Site Violation Notice

An SVN gets sent out once for issues such as: a violation that can be easily corrected on site, or when site conditions need immediate fixing. 

• Licensing Violation Notice

This violation gets issued to contractors. Every contractor/person who does construction work in the city of Philadelphia must have a valid license and work within the code. If they don't comply with either, they can expect this violation to be issued.

• Notice of Stop Work Order

If site conditions ever get dangerous or unsafe, a notice to completely stop work could be sent out. It is essential that whatever created this unsafe environment be corrected in order for work to resume. The violation will tell you what has to be done for work to resume. Until then, the site has to be vacated. This is a very common violation when work takes place without permits. In order for work to resume, the appropriate permits must be pulled. 

• Notice of Intent to Cease Operations and Order

If a property is posing a harm or threat to the community around it, it is when the L&I releases this violation. In order to continue building, you need to pass an L&I inspection.

• Notice of Cease Operations Order

When a structure is in unsafe conditions, there is an immediate danger to life or property, there are unsanitary conditions posing health threats, or dangerous equipment such as toxic materials on site, a notice of cease operations order is sent out. The first step that must be taken is closing the property and stopping all activity. There will also be information on the notice of what needs to be done to correct the problems

For more detailed information about the types of notices one could receive, visit phila.gov and search for violation and order types.

QR Codes

As of January 2025, the city has added a QR code to all notices of violations. Now, all you need to do is scan the QR code, and you will be directly taken to a specific section of the city website that is dedicated to the specific violation you are dealing with and what steps you need to take to fix it.

The point of adding QR codes was to give people a step-by-step guide in over 120 different languages to make sure there is no confusion on what needs to be done. This section of the website is continuously updated with new, up-to-date content to make sure no one misses out on anything.

What to do if you get a notice

1. Read the notice carefully: Each notice will outline the type of violation, the corrective action required, and the deadline for compliance.

2. Check the QR code

3. Look for your property on Atlas: Visit atlas.phila.gov to view your property's permit history, zoning info, and inspection reports.

4. Don't delay: Most notices have strict deadlines. Ignoring them can result in court cases, growing fines, or forced work stoppages.

5. Call in a Pro (like us)

What is our role in all of this

At Jane Draws Plans, we specialize in guiding property owners through the entire resolution process. First, we help you locate the violation details via the Philadelphia Atlas and carefully review the official inspection report to identify the exact corrective measures needed. From there, we prepare code‑compliant Make Safe Reports and architectural plans that precisely address the issues cited, ensuring only violations listed are included to avoid permit denials. Finally, we support permit submission, coordinate with L&I inspectors, and help document compliance until the NOV is officially closed and your property is back in good standing. The goal: clear your violation quickly and efficiently while protecting you from unnecessary fines or delays.

Whether you're dealing with a minor site issue or a serious stop-work order, understanding your violation notice and acting on it promptly can make all the difference. With the right support, navigating the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Jane Draws Plans, we’re here to help you get things back on track quickly, compliantly, and with confidence.