New York City’s latest Environmental Control Board (ECB) amnesty program opened on October 13, 2026, giving property owners and others with outstanding ECB judgments an opportunity to settle their debts at a reduced cost. The program waives all accrued interest and offers additional reductions on eligible penalties, but the window to participate closes January 10, 2027.
Established under Local Law 147 of 2026 and administered by the NYC Department of Finance (DOF), the program is known as “Debt Demolisher.” The City’s last ECB amnesty program ended in 2022, making this a valuable opportunity for property owners to address outstanding judgments and reduce their financial obligations.
How Much Can You Save?
The amount owed under the program depends on how the original violation reached judgment. In both cases, all accrued interest is waived.
- Default judgments: If a respondent failed to attend a hearing or respond by the required deadline, only the original base penalty must be paid. Additional default penalties and accrued interest are waived.
- Judgments following a hearing: If a respondent was found in violation following a hearing, the judgment can be settled by paying 75% of the imposed penalty, with all accrued interest waived.
Any payments previously made toward a judgment count toward the required settlement amount. If the amount already paid is less than the applicable amnesty amount, only the remaining difference is due. If that amount has already been met or exceeded, a $1 payment will close the judgment. However, the City will not refund any overpayments.
For context, an ECB violation becomes a judgment when an unpaid penalty is entered in civil court. These violations may originate from several City agencies, including the Department of Buildings (DOB), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), and Department of Transportation (DOT).
Which Judgments Qualify?
Eligibility is based on when the judgment was entered in court. Only judgments entered on or before July 15, 2026, qualify for the program. Judgments entered after that date are excluded.
Certain judgments are also ineligible, including those that:
- Are subject to an existing payment agreement with the Sheriff’s Office, a City Marshal, or the City’s Law Department
- Have an enforcement execution issued to the Sheriff or a City Marshal
- Have been converted into a tax lien
- Stem from violations issued in response to citizen complaints, such as noise or idling
- Involve violations that are the subject of a criminal investigation
Property owners can search for outstanding judgments and review their eligibility through the City’s official Debt Demolisher portal.
Important Requirements to Keep in Mind
While the program offers significant savings, property owners must meet several requirements to qualify. Overlooking any of these conditions could result in losing the amnesty benefits.
- Outstanding conditions must be corrected. A judgment cannot be resolved through the program if the underlying violation remains uncorrected.
- Certificates of Correction may be required. Certain violations require proof that the cited condition has been corrected. Depending on the issuing agency, obtaining a Certificate of Correction may involve preparing documentation, submitting an application, and waiting for agency approval. The issuing agency must approve the correction, and DOF must receive confirmation before the program closes.
- Payments must be received by January 10, 2027. The Department of Finance must receive payment by the program deadline. A postmark alone does not satisfy this requirement.
- Each judgment must be paid in full under the amnesty terms. Payment plans are not available, although separate judgments may be resolved through individual transactions.
- Ineligible payments do not receive the discount. If a payment is submitted for a judgment that does not qualify, or if a program requirement has not been met, the payment will be applied toward the outstanding balance. Any remaining penalties, fines, and interest will still be owed.
Although Local Law 147 permits the Commissioner of Finance to extend the program by up to 90 days, an extension is not guaranteed. Property owners should plan to meet the January 10 deadline.
Understand the Implications Before Paying
Participation in the amnesty program comes with an important consideration: paying a judgment means accepting liability for the underlying violation.
For default judgments, payment under the program constitutes an admission of liability. Participants also waive their right to raise legal or factual defenses related to the violation.
Property owners who believe a violation was issued incorrectly or who intend to challenge a judgment should carefully consider these implications before participating.
Reviewing judgments individually can help determine which are appropriate for amnesty and which may warrant further action.
What Property Owners Should Do Now
With less than three months to take advantage of the program, property owners should begin reviewing their outstanding ECB judgments as soon as possible, particularly those that require agency approvals.
We recommend taking the following steps:
- Review outstanding judgments. Obtain a complete list of open ECB judgments associated with your properties.
- Confirm eligibility. Identify whether each judgment resulted from a default or hearing decision, verify the court entry date, and review any applicable exclusions.
- Prioritize required corrections. Determine which violations require Certificates of Correction and begin the necessary documentation and filing process.
- Evaluate each judgment. Identify which judgments are appropriate for amnesty and whether any should be disputed.
- Submit payments early. Allow sufficient time for processing and ensure all eligible payments are received before January 10, 2027.
How Milrose Can Help
Milrose’s in-house violations team regularly works with DOB, FDNY, and ECB violations, helping property owners navigate agency requirements and resolve outstanding compliance issues.
Our team can review your properties for eligible judgments, identify outstanding correction requirements, prepare and file Certificates of Correction, and assist with the resolution process before the amnesty program closes.
Contact Milrose to request an ECB amnesty review and take advantage of this limited-time opportunity.
