The Department is administered by a director, who also serves as the chief administrative law judge, and an administrative staff.
The Department itself is divided into five hearing Divisions, each of which is responsible for hearing certain types of quality-of-life violations. These divisions are each managed by senior administrative law judge.
The Buildings Hearings Division hears cases filed by the Buildings, Fire, Water Management, Health and Zoning and Land Use Planning departments.
The Environmental Safety & Consumer Affairs Hearings Division hears cases initiated from the Departments of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Health, Police, Revenue, Streets & Sanitation and Transportation..
The Municipal Hearings Division hears cases filed by the Police, Law, Revenue and Water Management departments.
The Vehicle Hearings Division hears cases filed by the Police and Revenue departments.
All hearings are presided over by an Administrative Law Judge.