NYC Pest Violations by Borough
The Bronx has the most open HPD pest-infestation violations of any NYC borough — 54,861 combined roach, mice, and bed bug violations, narrowly ahead of Brooklyn's 54,195 — per NYC Open Data's HPD Housing Maintenance Code Violations dataset (open violations, pulled 2026-07-04). Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island follow, in that order. This page breaks the numbers down by pest type and borough, and explains the code sections behind each violation class.
Data source: NYC Open Data. Informational only — not legal advice.
Open Pest Infestation Violations by Borough
Each row below is an actual open infestation violation — HPD confirmed the pest at inspection and issued a Notice of Violation. Figures exclude closed violations and exclude the separate annual bed bug filing violation (see below). Pulled from NYC Open Data on 2026-07-04.
| Borough | Roach (§ 27-2017.4) | Mice (§ 27-2017.4) | Bed Bugs (§ 27-2018) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 30,071 | 24,169 | 621 | 54,861 |
| Brooklyn | 27,817 | 24,751 | 1,627 | 54,195 |
| Manhattan | 13,189 | 11,480 | 348 | 25,017 |
| Queens | 11,261 | 8,155 | 903 | 20,319 |
| Staten Island | 1,790 | 1,655 | 228 | 3,673 |
| Citywide | 84,128 | 70,210 | 3,727 | 158,065 |
Source: NYC Open Data — Housing Maintenance Code Violations (dataset wvxf-dwi5), queried via the Socrata API, open violations only, pulled 2026-07-04. Counts change daily as HPD closes and issues new violations — see Violations Data for how to check current figures yourself.
What the Code Sections Mean
HMC § 27-2017.4 — Roach and Mice Infestation
The Housing Maintenance Code requires an owner to abate an infestation once HPD confirms one at inspection. The Notice of Violation names the specific pest — "infestation consisting of roaches" or "infestation consisting of mice" — and the specific apartment and location within it. HPD's open dataset does not separately track rat infestation under this section; rat activity in NYC is tracked mainly through DOHMH's rodent inspection program (see Violations Data for that dataset).
Admin Code § 27-2018 — Bed Bug Nuisance
A confirmed bed bug infestation is cited as a "nuisance" under NYC Administrative Code § 27-2018. HPD inspectors visually confirm live bed bugs — checking mattress edges, headboards, bed frames, and furniture crevices — before issuing this violation, per HPD's official guidance.
§ 27-2018.1 / § 27-2018.2 — Annual Bed Bug Report (Local Law 69 of 2017)
Separately from any actual infestation, Local Law 69 of 2017 requires every multiple-dwelling owner to file an Annual Bed Bug Report with HPD each year between December 1 and December 31, covering the prior November 1–October 31 period, and to either give tenants the filing receipt or post it in the building. This is a paperwork requirement, not evidence of a pest problem — but it is, by a wide margin, the single most common bed-bug-related violation on HPD's books: 199,536 open citywide on the same 2026-07-04 pull, against 3,727 open actual bed bug infestation violations. Corporate owners must file electronically; only non-corporate owners may use HPD's paper form. Source: NYC HPD, official Bedbugs page.
What to Do About an Active Infestation
HPD's official guidance is clear on two points that matter for both tenants and landlords:
- →Tenants should report bed bugs, roaches, or mice to the property owner first; if the owner does not act, file with 311 or HPD Online — see How to Report for the exact steps.
- →New York State law requires that only a pest control professional licensed by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) treat a bed bug infestation — an unlicensed treatment does not satisfy the owner's obligation.
- →Owners are expected to follow up after treatment to confirm the infestation has not returned, per HPD's guidance — a single treatment visit with no follow-up inspection is not considered complete remediation.
In practice, DEC-licensed exterminators handle roach, mice, and bed bug jobs together, since NYC apartment infestations are frequently mixed rather than single-pest. Expert Exterminating, a licensed NYC pest-control operation, is one example of an operator carrying the DEC registration this work requires across all five boroughs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NYC borough has the most pest violations?
By open HPD violation count (roach infestation, mice infestation, and bed bug nuisance combined), the Bronx has the most at 54,861, narrowly ahead of Brooklyn at 54,195. Manhattan (25,017), Queens (20,319), and Staten Island (3,673) follow. Source: NYC Open Data, HPD Housing Maintenance Code Violations, open violations pulled 2026-07-04.
What HPD code section covers roach and mice infestations?
Housing Maintenance Code § 27-2017.4 requires owners to abate infestations, and is the section cited on the Notice of Violation for both roach infestation and mice infestation violations. HPD issues a separate violation for each pest type found at inspection.
Is a bed bug violation the same as failing to file the annual bed bug report?
No. An actual bed bug infestation is cited under NYC Administrative Code § 27-2018 ("abate the nuisance consisting of bedbugs"). Failing to file the separate annual disclosure required by Local Law 69 of 2017 is a different violation — and citywide it is far more common: 199,536 open citywide on the same 2026-07-04 pull, versus 3,727 open actual bed bug infestation violations.
What class of violation is a pest infestation?
Roach, mice, and bed bug infestation violations are issued as Class B (hazardous) or Class C (immediately hazardous) under the NYC Housing Maintenance Code, depending on severity and prior history. Class C violations carry a 24-hour correction deadline.
Who is legally required to treat a bed bug infestation?
Per NYC HPD's official guidance, property owners must address bed bug infestations promptly, and New York State law requires that only pest control professionals licensed by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) treat apartments for bed bugs — a tenant or landlord cannot substitute an unlicensed treatment.