Use DOB NOW, BIS and NYC Inspections Without Searching the Wrong System
Newer filings usually appear in DOB NOW, while many older jobs, permits, complaints and OATH/ECB violations remain in BIS. A complete property check often requires both systems.
This guide shows which portal to open, who must file the plans, who pulls the permit, how inspections are requested, how violations are cleared, which borough office to contact and what proves that a project is legally closed.
Choose the Exact NYC Department of Buildings Task
Which NYC DOB Search or Portal Should You Use?
Select the task. This tool sends you to the appropriate official system instead of treating DOB NOW and BIS as the same database.
NYC Department of Buildings Phone, Help Form and Service Hours
DOB NOW and BIS Are Not Interchangeable
Information needed |
Use this system |
Why |
|---|---|---|
Newer DOB NOW job or permit |
DOB NOW Public Portal |
DOB NOW filings do not appear in BIS |
Older application or permit |
BIS |
BIS contains records created before DOB NOW deployment |
Property complaints and many DOB violations |
BIS |
BIS property profiles include complaints, violations, inspections and older jobs |
Compliance or DOB NOW Safety violations |
DOB NOW Public / Safety |
Safety filings and related violations may not appear in BIS |
OATH/ECB summons |
BIS plus OATH process |
OATH/ECB violations and some DOB violations are available only in BIS |
CO issued before March 1, 2021 |
BIS |
Older CO documents remain in the BIS property profile |
CO request on or after March 1, 2021 |
DOB NOW |
Newer CO details and floor-use records are available from the DOB NOW profile |
Plans, microfilm or folders |
DOB NOW: BIS Options |
Records must be requested in advance before borough-office pickup |
Match the NYC Project to the Correct Filing Path
Project |
Likely filing path |
Professional or trade role |
|---|---|---|
New building |
New Building filing |
PE or RA files plans; licensed or registered contractor pulls the work permit |
Change of use, egress or occupancy |
Alteration-CO / legacy ALT1 |
PE or RA, contractor, special inspections and CO closeout |
Multiple work types without occupancy change |
Alteration / legacy ALT2 |
RDP filing plus licensed contractors for affected work types |
One minor work type without occupancy change |
Alteration / legacy ALT3 |
Requirements depend on work type and current DOB NOW category |
Limited plumbing or fire-suppression alteration |
LAA |
NYC Licensed Master Plumber or Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor |
Electrical wiring, equipment or service |
Electrical filing |
NYC licensed electrical contractor; plan review may apply |
Mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler or standpipe |
Separate work-type filing |
Appropriate licensed tradesperson and coordinated general filing |
Boiler or elevator work |
Equipment filing |
Licensed professional, equipment contractor and compliance inspections |
Full demolition |
Full Demolition filing |
RDP, demolition contractor, safety plans and utility disconnections |
Fence, sidewalk shed, scaffold or sign |
Construction-equipment filing |
Permit and design requirements depend on type, size, location and duration |
Minor cosmetic work |
May be permit-exempt |
Other licensing, landmark, housing or agency rules may still apply |
Emergency hazard stabilization |
Emergency-work process |
Licensed contractor plus required notification and permit follow-up |
Work That May Not Require a DOB Permit
Common examples
- Painting
- Plastering
- Installing new cabinets
- Resurfacing floors
- Certain nonstructural roof repairs
Plumbing fixture work
Certain simple replacements may be permit-exempt.
Other ordinary plumbing work can still require an NYC Licensed Master Plumber even when a DOB permit is not required.
Emergency work
A licensed contractor may perform work needed to relieve an emergency condition before permit issuance.
An Emergency Work Notification and required permit follow-up must meet DOB’s two-business-day filing rule.
Complete an NYC DOB Project in the Correct Order
Search the property in DOB NOW and BIS
Identify open jobs, permits, violations, complaints, occupancy records, landmark or Loft Law flags and previous applications.
Define the scope and legal use
Confirm what will be built, removed or changed and compare the proposed use, egress and occupancy with the current Certificate of Occupancy or legal-use record.
Hire the correct Registered Design Professional
Most permit projects require a New York State Professional Engineer or Registered Architect to prepare and submit construction plans.
Check zoning and other agency approvals
Review zoning, Landmarks, FDNY, environmental, transit, roadway, HPD, Loft Board and utility requirements that may affect approval.
Create the filing in DOB NOW: Build
The applicant uses an NYC.ID account to enter stakeholders, work types, cost information, statements and signatures.
Upload coordinated plans and documents
Submit the drawings, technical reports, owner statements, energy documents, special-inspection information and agency approvals required for the filing.
Resolve plan-exam objections
Open every objection, revise the correct document and schedule a virtual meeting with a plan examiner when appropriate.
Hire a licensed or registered contractor
The contractor requests the work permit after approval. Licensed trades file their related electrical, plumbing, fire-suppression or other permits.
Pull and post the work permit
An approved application alone does not authorize construction. The contractor must obtain the work permit before work begins.
Complete DOB and special inspections
Request Department inspections online and ensure the Special Inspection Agency submits all required results.
Resolve final required items
Close objections, amendments, inspections, commissioning, cost affidavits, agency sign-offs and any open violations affecting completion.
Obtain the correct closeout document
Major occupancy work may require a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Minor alterations may close with a Letter of Completion.
Who Does What on an NYC Permit?
Person or company |
Main responsibility |
Owner’s practical check |
|---|---|---|
Property owner |
Authorizes the project, provides truthful information and remains responsible for property safety |
Review the legal use, scope, contracts, insurance and closeout status |
Professional Engineer or Registered Architect |
Prepares and files plans as the Registered Design Professional and Applicant of Record |
Confirm registration, filing scope and responsibility for objections and amendments |
General contractor |
Pulls the work permit and performs or supervises approved construction |
Verify DOB registration, insurance, permit and contract scope |
Licensed electrician |
Files and performs electrical work |
Confirm NYC electrical license and final inspection |
Licensed Master Plumber |
Files and performs regulated plumbing and gas work |
Confirm license, related filing and sign-off |
Special Inspection Agency |
Performs required special or progress inspections and submits results |
Confirm designation before permit and final submission before closeout |
Filing representative |
Supports administrative filing activity when authorized |
Do not confuse the filing representative with the design professional or contractor |
Request NYC DOB Inspections Through the Correct Online Module
DOB NOW: Inspections
Used for virtually all Department inspection scheduling, tracking and notifications.
Inspection requests are not accepted through 311 or the old telephone request process.
Inspections Plus
Beginning June 29, 2026, Electrical Development Inspections are submitted and managed in DOB NOW: Inspections Plus.
Special inspections
These are performed by the designated Special Inspection Agency—not by simply booking a standard DOB inspection.
Before requesting
- Correct job and permit number
- Permit is active
- Correct inspection type
- Work is complete for that stage
- Required work remains visible
- Safe access is available
Keep available on site
- Work permit
- Approved plans
- Required technical reports
- Site-safety documents
- Previous objection details
- Responsible contact information
What Common NYC DOB Statuses Mean
Search and Clear NYC DOB Violations in the Correct System
Search the BIS property profile
BIS shows open DOB violations, complaints, OATH/ECB violations and older enforcement information.
Search DOB NOW Safety and the Public Portal
Compliance violations for boilers, elevators, façades, benchmarking, emissions and other DOB NOW Safety programs may not appear in BIS.
Identify whether it is a DOB violation or OATH summons
The correction and hearing process differs. An OATH/ECB summons may require an OATH hearing, penalty payment and Certificate of Correction.
Correct the physical or filing condition
Stopping the violation search is not enough. Repair the condition, complete missing inspections or file the required compliance report.
Submit proof to the issuing unit
DOB states that proof of correction must be provided to the unit that issued the violation. Applicable civil penalties must also be paid.
Confirm dismissal in the public record
Save the accepted Certificate of Correction, determination, payment record and updated property profile.
Request NYC DOB Records Before Visiting a Borough Office
Records available through BIS Options
- Property folders
- Plans and drawings
- Microfilm
- Docket books
- Reels
- Index and I-cards
- Curb-cut cards
- Other archived DOB files
Request process
- Search the property in BIS and DOB NOW.
- Open DOB NOW: BIS Options.
- Select the record type and property borough.
- Submit the request before visiting.
- Wait for the email saying records are available.
- Pick them up at the borough office where the property is located.
Certificate of Occupancy, TCO, Letter of Completion or LNO?
Document |
What it does |
Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
Certificate of Occupancy |
States the building’s legal use and permitted occupancy |
New building or major alteration affecting use, egress or occupancy |
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy |
Allows temporary legal occupancy for a limited period when DOB requirements are met |
Project is safe for occupancy but final CO items remain |
Letter of Completion |
Confirms completion of minor alteration work that does not require a new or amended CO |
Alteration without qualifying occupancy change |
Letter of No Objection |
May confirm legal use where no CO exists or historic records require clarification |
Older building, commonly constructed or altered before 1938, subject to DOB review |
Common final CO requirements
- Final construction sign-off
- Final plumbing sign-off
- Final electrical sign-off
- Final elevator sign-off
- Final building survey
- Builders Pavement Plan sign-off
- No open applications
- No open violations
Additional closeout items
- Owner’s Cost Affidavit
- Approved Schedule of Occupancy
- Special-inspection completion
- Required commissioning
- Other agency approvals
- All DOB fees paid
- PAAs resolved
- CO request accepted
NYC DOB Fees Are Project-Specific
Application and permit fees
Fees depend on the filing type, work types, construction cost, building information and applicable Code provisions.
DOB NOW calculates applicable charges from the submitted filing information.
Permit renewal
$130 per work type
DOB NOW renewals are submitted online. BIS renewals use the applicable PW2 process.
Violation copies
$8 per violation copy
Each additional duplicate copy is currently listed at $5.
Renew the Work Permit Before It Expires
DOB NOW filing
- Open the initial permit filing.
- Select Renew Work Permit.
- Complete the required information.
- Upload any required document.
- Pay the $130 renewal fee.
- Apply the electronic signature and submit.
BIS filing
- Prepare the PW2 renewal application.
- Submit it about two weeks before expiration.
- Confirm contractor insurance is current.
- Submit one work type per application.
- Include the $130 fee for each work type.
- Provide special approvals where required.
Contact the DOB Office for the Property’s Borough
Borough |
Office address |
Customer service |
Certificate of Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|
Bronx |
1775 Grand Concourse, 5th Floor Bronx, NY 10453 |
||
Brooklyn |
345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 |
||
Manhattan |
280 Broadway Customer Service: 1st Floor New York, NY 10007 |
||
Queens |
120-55 Queens Boulevard Kew Gardens, NY 11424 |
||
Staten Island |
Borough Hall 10 Richmond Terrace, 2nd Floor Staten Island, NY 10301 |
Fix Common NYC DOB Portal and Closeout Problems
Problem |
Likely reason |
Best next action |
|---|---|---|
Job not found in BIS |
It was filed in DOB NOW |
Search the DOB NOW Public Portal by address, job or filing information |
Job not found in DOB NOW |
It is an older BIS filing |
Search BIS by borough, house number and street name |
Approved but contractor cannot start |
The work permit has not been issued |
Complete the permit request, insurance, fees, signatures and required-item process |
Inspection cannot be requested |
Wrong inspection module, user registration or permit status |
Confirm the permit, work type and whether Inspections or Inspections Plus applies |
Violation is missing from one portal |
DOB NOW Safety and BIS hold different records |
Search both systems and identify the issuing unit |
CO cannot be issued |
Open applications, violations, missing sign-offs or Schedule of Occupancy issues |
Build a closeout list from every required item and discipline |
Old project has no final sign-off |
Missing inspection, special inspection, amendment or contractor closeout |
Hire an RDP to review the approved scope, field condition and filing history |
Record room cannot provide plans immediately |
Advance BIS Options request was not submitted |
Submit the digital records request and wait for pickup notification |
What to Say When Contacting NYC DOB
“I am planning to [describe exact work] at [full address, borough, block and lot]. The current legal use is [use]. Can you confirm the filing type, required design professional, licensed contractor, work types and other agency approvals?”
“The filing number is [number]. DOB NOW shows [status], and the remaining items appear to be [items]. Which objection, required item, signature, payment or stakeholder action is preventing the next step?”
“The property at [address] shows violation [number]. Is this a DOB violation, OATH summons or DOB NOW Safety violation, which unit issued it, and what proof is required to dismiss it?”
“Job [number] has completed work, but I cannot confirm final sign-off. Which DOB inspections, special inspections, PAAs, cost affidavits, violations or CO/Letter of Completion items remain open?”
Do Not Consider an NYC DOB Project Complete Until These Are Confirmed
- DOB NOW and BIS history checked
- Current legal use confirmed
- Correct filing type selected
- PE or RA retained when required
- Zoning and agency reviews completed
- All work types included
- Plan objections resolved
- Licensed contractor verified
- Work permit issued and posted
- Department inspections passed
- Special inspections submitted
- PAAs and corrections resolved
- Open violations cleared
- All fees paid
- CO, TCO, LOC or LNO obtained as applicable
- Final public record saved
NYC Department of Buildings at 280 Broadway
Open the Correct NYC Department of Buildings Resource
NYC Department of Buildings Questions
What is the NYC Department of Buildings phone number?
The DOB main phone number is 212-566-5000. Use the online DOB Help Form for filing-specific assistance. Call 311 for building complaints; outside New York City, call 212-639-9675.
What is the difference between DOB NOW and BIS?
DOB NOW contains newer electronic filings and permits. BIS contains older jobs, permits, complaints, violations, inspections and occupancy information created before the relevant work types moved into DOB NOW. A complete property search often requires both systems.
Does every NYC renovation need a building permit?
No. Painting, plastering, new cabinets, floor resurfacing and some minor repairs may be permit-exempt. Structural work, changes to use or egress and most electrical, plumbing, mechanical and major construction work require permits or licensed tradespeople.
Can an NYC homeowner pull their own building permit?
Not as a general owner-builder right. Most permit projects require a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect to file plans and an NYC licensed or registered contractor to obtain the work permit. Limited homeowner-performed work may qualify under narrow exemptions.
How do I request an NYC DOB inspection?
Register for and use the applicable DOB NOW inspection module. DOB states that inspection requests are no longer accepted in person, by telephone or through older request portals. Do not call 311 to schedule a normal permit inspection.
Where are electrical inspections requested in 2026?
Beginning June 29, 2026, Electrical Development Inspection requests are submitted and managed in the DOB NOW: Inspections Plus module rather than the older DOB NOW: Inspections workflow.
How do I find all violations on an NYC property?
Search BIS for DOB and OATH/ECB violations, then search the DOB NOW Public Portal or DOB NOW Safety for newer compliance and safety violations. Some violations appear in only one system.
How do I request old NYC building plans?
Submit a record request in DOB NOW: BIS Options for folders, plans, microfilm, docket books, reels, I-cards or curb-cut cards. Wait for the availability email before visiting the borough office where the property is located.
How much is an NYC DOB permit renewal?
The current permit-renewal fee is $130 for each work type. DOB NOW renewals are submitted online, while applicable BIS permits use the PW2 renewal process.
What proves an NYC DOB project is fully complete?
Confirm that Department and special inspections are complete, required items and amendments are resolved, fees are paid, relevant violations are cleared and DOB issued the required Certificate of Occupancy, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent informational guide and is not the New York City Department of Buildings.
This page was rebuilt using the NYC Department of Buildings website, DOB NOW: Build, DOB NOW Public Portal, BIS, DOB NOW inspection guidance, DOB NOW Safety, borough-office listings, Certificate of Occupancy requirements, permit-exemption rules, violation instructions, record-request procedures, permit-renewal guidance and 2026 service updates.
Last reviewed: July 23, 2026.
DOB systems, fees, office locations, staff, code requirements and inspection modules can change. Confirm time-sensitive information through NYC.gov before filing, paying, visiting or beginning work.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.