# FAQ's OFFICE OF CIVIL INFRACTIONS (OCI)

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Source: https://dob.kustomer.help/en_us/faqs-office-of-civil-infractions-oci-rk1TvaVfge

Last updated: 2025-05-28T18:34:57.951Z

**What does DOB Office of Civil Infractions (OCI) do?** 

*   The Office of Civil Infractions (OCI) is responsible for the administrative process of coordinating and providing quality control and quality assurance to the Department of Building’s (DOB) issuance, filing, and tracking of Notices of Infraction (NOIs) to individuals and entities that fail to abate commercial, construction and property maintenance code violations; or individuals and entities that otherwise violate District of Columbia laws, rules, and regulations under the authority of DOB.
*   OCI is responsible for assessing and tracking all fines, special assessments, penalties, and interest associated with DOB abatement and violations adjudicated by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) and the Office of the Attorney General or settled by DOB Office of the General Counsel and the Alternative Resolution Team.  
*   OCI manages DOB lien filing when violators fail to pay outstanding special assessments and fines. 
*   OCI coordinates with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Central Collection Unit (CCU) and Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) on collection activities.

**Who staff's OCI and how do customers connect with OCI?** 

OCI is currently comprised of eight (8) permanent staff and two (2) contractors.  Customers can connect with OCI via email at [**dob.civilinfractions@dc.gov**](mailto:dob.civilinfractions@dc.gov) or schedule a telephonic appointment via the following: **[Schedule an Online Appointment | dob](https://dob.dc.gov/appointments)**

**What is the difference between a fine and a special assessment?**

The Department of Buildings (DOB) levies fines for violations to regulatory rules and special assessments when DOB performs abatement to property. Information re/Special Assessments is shared with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) and is reported on the OTR website. OTR does not collect DOB special assessments and refers all property owners to DOB for billing.

**How can customers pay a fine or special assessment?**

[https://info.dob.dc.gov/en\_us/faqs-how-do-i-pay-a-fine-or-special-assessment-Sy6LI5Nzgg](https://info.dob.dc.gov/en_us/faqs-how-do-i-pay-a-fine-or-special-assessment-Sy6LI5Nzgg)

**How can customers appeal a fine?**

[https://info.dob.dc.gov/en\_us/faqs-appealing-a-notice-of-infraction-noi-HJCa954Meg](https://info.dob.dc.gov/en_us/faqs-appealing-a-notice-of-infraction-noi-HJCa954Meg)

**How can customers appeal a special assessment?**

[https://info.dob.dc.gov/en\_us/faqs-appealing-a-special-assessment-r1d4dqVGle](https://info.dob.dc.gov/en_us/faqs-appealing-a-special-assessment-r1d4dqVGle)

**What is the difference between an NOIR, an NOIE, and an NOIS?**

The Department of Buildings (DOB) maintains a variety of Notices of Infraction (NOI); each identified with a unique sequence of letters and numbers.

  
Inspections that result with violations designated as **emergency**, i.e. life-threatening are identified with the prefix **NOIE**. Inspections that result with **"regular"** violations, for example peeling paint are identified with the prefix **NOIR**. DOB identifies **sanitation** violations, including excessive vegetation and/or trash with the prefix **NOIS**.

  
While emergency and regular violations immediately result with a Notice of Infraction that levies fines and can be adjudicated with the Office of Administrative Hearings, **sanitation violations initially result with a _Sanitation Warning Letter_ that is posted to affected property.  DOB reinspects after 10 business days.  Should the sanitation violations not be corrected, DOB will issue a Notice of Infraction that levies fines.**

**Does DOB issue inspection reports?**

DOB **does not generate or issue inspection reports** for complaint-based or proactive housing inspections, rather when violations are cited DOB will issue a Notice of Infraction (NOI) that includes the nature of violations; date and time violations are recorded, instructions regarding required abatement; and inspection photos. **NOIs are not issued upon reinspection.**

NOI copies are shared with tenants occupying the property and one may keep track of the violations using the "Landlord Violation Tool" (select the Violation and Abatement Tile) and/or check on whether the case has been filed with OAH (select the Enforcement Tile) by accessing the  [Workbook: DOB Internal Dashboard (dc.gov)](https://tableau.dc.gov/#/site/DOB/workbooks/13049/views) 

DOB does provide property owners who have scheduled a Rental Business License inspection a Checklist that communicates in detail whether inspected item pass or fail the inspection.  The Checklist is available from the DOB Office of Residential Inspections (ORI). 

**What happens after a Notice of Infraction (NOI) is issued?** 

Once a Notice of Infraction (NOI) is served a property owner is permitted some 20 to 60 calendar days from the date of service to respond to DOB with admittance and correction.  Should a response not be received, the Department of Buildings (DOB) will file the matter with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH); an independent DC agency responsible for adjudicating NOIs.  OAH, dependent on the property owner's response, which may be to deny or admit with an explanation or no response, will either schedule a hearing; review the admit with explanation documents and render an order; or when no response is rec'd issue a default judgement which triples the fines.  When OAH levies fines, these are placed as liens on the property by DOB with interest accruing monthly.  The expectation is that the financial liability is sufficient incentive for a property owner to act.  OAH contact information is as follows:  [https://oah.dc.gov/](https://oah.dc.gov/.%C2%A0) 

**How can a customer locate property maintenance information regarding property in the District?** 

The Department of Buildings (DOB) has several online resources that we encourage you to access. There is the "Landlord Violation Tool" that can be used to locate unabated violations by property. You may research by selecting the "Violations and Abatement" icon at the following link. [Workbook: DOB Public Dashboard](https://dataviz1.dc.gov/t/OCTO/views/DOBPublicDashboard/ViolationsAbatementLVT?%3AshowAppBanner=false&%3Adisplay_count=n&%3AshowVizHome=n&%3Aorigin=viz_share_link&%3Aembed=yes&%3Atoolbar=no). Available also is the Enforcement Dashboard where you may locate the status of Notices of Infraction, such as fines due and whether a matter has been filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings. Please select the Enforcement icon at the following link [Workbook: DOB Public Dashboard](https://dataviz1.dc.gov/t/OCTO/views/DOBPublicDashboard/EnforcementNOIIssued?%3AshowAppBanner=false&%3Adisplay_count=n&%3AshowVizHome=n&%3Aorigin=viz_share_link&%3Aembed=yes&%3Atoolbar=no).  Customers may also consider reaching out to DOB's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office. The office contact information is available at this link: [DC FOIA Information | dob](https://dob.dc.gov/page/dc-foia-information).