FDNY Fire Code Summons — NYC Criminal Court Defense
If your business received an FDNY fire code summons returnable to New York City Criminal Court, you are not dealing with a parking ticket. You are dealing with a criminal court matter that can result in fines of thousands to tens of thousands of dollars per count — and multiple counts on a single summons are common.
Do not ignore it. Do not send an employee. Do not go alone.
Only a licensed attorney can effectively defend a corporation or business in NYC Criminal Court. If you are a sole proprietor appearing for yourself, you can try — but the ADA across the table has handled hundreds of these matters and you have not. The difference in outcome between represented and unrepresented defendants in FDNY fire code cases is significant.
What Is an FDNY Fire Code Summons?
The FDNY issues Criminal Court appearance tickets for violations of the New York City Fire Code (Administrative Code Title 29) and related regulations. These are not OATH summonses — they are Criminal Court matters, which means they are heard by a judge, prosecuted by an ADA, and can result in criminal convictions and substantial fines.
Common FDNY fire code violations that result in Criminal Court summonses include:
Failure to maintain fire suppression systems. Blocked or obstructed fire exits. Failure to maintain or test sprinkler systems. Improper storage of flammable materials. Failure to maintain fire alarm systems. Operating without a required Certificate of Fitness. Overcrowding in violation of Certificate of Occupancy limits. Failure to conduct required fire drills. Inadequate or missing fire extinguishers. Failure to post required notices or maintain required records.
What Are the Fines?
FDNY fire code fines in Criminal Court vary by violation and by the number of counts. A single-count summons for a first offense might resolve for a few hundred dollars. A multi-count summons for repeat violations or serious conditions can expose a business to fines of $10,000, $25,000, or more. In egregious cases involving life safety conditions, the exposure is higher.
The goal in every FDNY fire code case is to minimize fine exposure, avoid a criminal conviction on the business record, and negotiate the most favorable resolution the facts allow.
What We Do
We appear in court on behalf of your business. We review the summons and the underlying violation conditions. We negotiate with the assigned ADA to reduce the number of counts, reduce the fine, and avoid a criminal conviction where possible. We advise you on corrective action that can strengthen your negotiating position. We handle all five boroughs.
Corrective Action Matters
One of the most effective tools in FDNY fire code defense is demonstrating to the ADA that the violation conditions have been corrected. If you have fixed the problem — installed the sprinkler, cleared the exit, obtained the Certificate of Fitness — we can use that as leverage to reduce your fine and avoid a conviction. Before your court date, take every corrective step you can and document it with photos and receipts.
How Much Does Representation Cost?
FDNY fire code summons fees depend on the number of counts, the severity of the violations, and the complexity of the matter. We do not charge a flat fee for commercial matters — we quote individually after reviewing your summons. Contact us for a no-obligation quote. In most cases, our fee is a fraction of the fine exposure we are working to reduce.
Restaurants, Bars, and Nightlife Venues
Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and event venues are the most frequent recipients of FDNY fire code summonses. Overcrowding, blocked exits, and fire suppression system failures are the most common charges in this category. We have specific experience with hospitality industry FDNY matters and understand the operational pressures these businesses face.
Landlords and Property Managers
Building owners and property managers frequently receive FDNY summonses related to common areas, mechanical systems, and tenant-caused conditions. We handle landlord and property management FDNY defense and can advise on how to protect your position when the violation was caused by a tenant.