Search both BIS and DOB NOW for an NYC property because the systems do not provide one interchangeable record view. Confirm the address, BIN, and borough-block-lot, then follow the matching job or filing to its permits, inspections, sign-off or completion, and occupancy record without treating a blank in one system as a blank in the other.
Search BIS and DOB NOW as separate record systems
NYC Department of Buildings routes property research through more than one system. Use Building Information Search (BIS) for the building profile and records held in the legacy system. Use Building Applications and Permits to reach DOB NOW and the department’s current filing routes. Do not treat a blank in one system as a blank in the other.
- Inputs: street address, borough, BIN, block and lot, and any job, filing, application, or permit number already known.
- Match: confirm the same property identity before comparing records from BIS and DOB NOW.
- Read: keep the job or filing, issued permit, inspection events, sign-off or completion record, and occupancy record as separate objects.
- No result: repeat the search in the other DOB system and use Find Building Data to choose the next official route.
- NYC DOB Building Information Search
- NYC DOB Find Building Data
- NYC DOB Building Applications and Permits
- USA.gov local government directory
Use both the address and parcel number
For the NYC DOB property search, have the street address, parcel number, owner or applicant name, permit number, and an approximate work date ready.
- Exact street address
- Parcel or assessor number
- Permit or application number
- Issuing city or county
Open the permit, inspection, and completion history
- Search the address in both BIS and DOB NOW, then compare the BIN and borough-block-lot before combining any results.
- Open the job or filing record that matches the work description and date; do not rely on the number beside a property summary.
- From that parent record, capture each permit number and keep its issue status separate from the job or filing status.
- Open inspections, objections, sign-off or completion, and occupancy records under the system that owns them.
- If the chain is incomplete, record which system and identifiers were searched before requesting the named missing record from NYC DOB.
Read issued, finaled, expired, and open separately
To complete the NYC DOB property search, the result is strongest when the permit, inspection events, and final status refer to the same scope of work and property.
| NYC record layer | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Property profile | Confirm the address, BIN, and borough-block-lot before combining results. |
| Job or filing | Match the proposed work and dates; this status is not the status of every permit. |
| Permit | Keep the permit number, work type, issue event, and system that owns the record. |
| Inspection, sign-off, or occupancy record | Read the later outcome under the record that owns it; do not infer it from the property profile. |
A permit entry found through NYC DOB building information search does not by itself prove that the work passed final inspection, matches the building today, or complied with rules owned by another department.
If the permit history is incomplete
For an unresolved NYC record, give DOB the address, BIN, borough-block-lot, approximate work year, exact record type, every job or permit number found, and whether BIS, DOB NOW, or both were searched. Ask which NYC system or records route owns that named item.