NYC Department of Buildings Brooklyn: Permits, Inspections, DOB NOW, BIS and Official Contact
Brooklyn DOB searches can feel confusing because New York City uses more than one official system. A Brooklyn property may have older records in BIS, newer filings in DOB NOW, inspections in DOB NOW: Inspections, complaints through 311, Certificate of Occupancy questions through the borough office, and permit records tied to a job number, BIN, BBL or address. This guide explains where to go first, which official tool to use, and how to avoid wasting time in the wrong NYC DOB system.
Office
NYC DOB Brooklyn Borough Office, 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Customer service
Brooklyn customer service is listed by NYC DOB as 718-802-3675.
Record search
Use BIS for complaints, violations, actions, applications and inspections on many properties.
Inspections
Use DOB NOW: Inspections for online scheduling, tracking and notifications for many inspections.
Official NYC DOB Brooklyn Links and Resources
Brooklyn Borough Office: 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. DOB main phone: 212-566-5000. Brooklyn Certificate of Occupancy: 718-802-3680. Use DOB NOW, BIS or NYC 311 depending on the issue.
What the NYC Department of Buildings Brooklyn Office Handles
The Brooklyn DOB Borough Office helps with borough-level building matters, customer service, Certificates of Occupancy, construction development, construction enforcement, electrical development and plumbing development.
For Brooklyn property owners, contractors and tenants, the biggest practical issue is choosing the right DOB system. Older property records and general property information are commonly checked in BIS. Many newer filings and permits are handled in DOB NOW. Inspections may be scheduled and tracked through DOB NOW: Inspections. Complaints and general city service questions usually begin with NYC 311.
DOB NOW
Use DOB NOW for many newer DOB filings, permits, work permits, Letters of Completion, filings search and inspection scheduling.
BIS
Use BIS to search general property information such as complaints, violations, actions, applications and inspections.
Brooklyn office
Use the Brooklyn Borough Office for borough-specific support, customer service and unit contacts when online systems do not answer your issue.
DOB NOW Brooklyn: Build Filings, Work Permits, Inspections and Letters of Completion
DOB NOW is NYC DOB’s modern online platform for many construction-related filings and inspection transactions. If a Brooklyn job was filed in DOB NOW, it may not appear in BIS.
DOB NOW task | What it helps with | Practical Brooklyn user tip |
|---|---|---|
DOB NOW: Build filings | Search newer job filings and DOB NOW Build records. | Use DOB NOW Public Portal or DOB NOW Build search for jobs that do not show in BIS. |
Work permits | Pull and print work permits where handled through DOB NOW. | Confirm the permit status before allowing work to begin. |
Inspections | Schedule, track and receive notifications for many inspections. | Use DOB NOW: Inspections instead of calling random units when the inspection type is handled online. |
Letters of Completion | DOB NOW Build can send Letters of Completion by email where applicable. | Save completion proof for sale, refinance, lease, lender or owner records. |
Objection tracking | DOB NOW: Inspections supports standardized checklists and electronic certification of certain objections. | Review inspection objections carefully and correct the exact item before rescheduling. |
BIS Brooklyn Property Search: Complaints, Violations, Applications and Inspections
NYC DOB says BIS can be used to search general information on a city property, including recorded complaints, violations, actions, applications and inspections. You do not need to sign up to access BIS information.
Search by property
Use address, borough, block, lot or BIN when available to find a Brooklyn property record.
Check complaints
Look for DOB complaints tied to construction, unsafe conditions, illegal work or building safety issues.
Review violations
Check open or historical violations because unresolved violations can affect sales, loans, leases and permits.
Applications and actions
Review job applications, DOB actions, historical work and permit-related activity visible in BIS.
Inspection history
Search inspection records and note whether required inspections appear complete or still unresolved.
Compare with DOB NOW
If recent work does not show in BIS, check DOB NOW because many newer filings are not listed in BIS.
NYC DOB Brooklyn Inspections: Scheduling, Tracking and Unit Contacts
DOB NOW: Inspections provides online scheduling for many inspections and helps users track appointment activity, notifications and inspection outcomes.
Inspection route | Official use | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
DOB NOW: Inspections | Online scheduling for many DOB inspections. | Use the DOB NOW Inspections portal first when your inspection type is supported there. |
Construction Development | Brooklyn inspection unit contact listed as 718-802-4035. | Use when the issue is tied to Brooklyn construction development inspection support. |
Construction Enforcement | Brooklyn inspection unit contact listed as 718-802-3685. | Use for construction enforcement inspection questions where appropriate. |
Electrical Development | Brooklyn inspection unit contact listed as 718-802-4342. | Use for Brooklyn electrical development inspection-related issues. |
Plumbing Development | Brooklyn inspection unit contact listed as 718-802-3723. | Use for Brooklyn plumbing development inspection-related issues. |
Brooklyn Certificate of Occupancy, Use and Occupancy Questions
Certificate of Occupancy questions are common in Brooklyn because building use, occupancy classification, legal units, commercial use, alterations and open DOB issues can affect whether a property can be occupied, financed, leased or sold.
Brooklyn CO contact
The official DOB office locations page lists Brooklyn Certificate of Occupancy at 718-802-3680.
Check BIS and DOB NOW
Search both systems for applications, permits, inspections and occupancy-related records before calling.
Commercial occupancy
Business owners should check occupancy and public assembly requirements before signing a lease or opening.
Do not rely on assumptions
A building’s current use may not match the legal use shown in DOB records, especially after renovations or tenant changes.
NYC DOB Brooklyn Complaints, Violations and 311 Reports
For complaints and general NYC agency information, DOB directs users to call 311 inside New York City. Outside New York City, call 212-NEW-YORK, which is 212-639-9675.
Issue type | Where to start | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Unsafe construction | Call 311 or use official NYC complaint routes. | Exact address, visible hazard, photos if available and whether people are at risk. |
Illegal work | 311 complaint and BIS/DOB NOW property search. | Address, work description, dates/times, permit search findings and location details. |
Open violation | Search BIS and DOB NOW records. | Violation number, job number, BIN, BBL, address and correction history. |
Permit problem | DOB NOW, BIS, DOB Help Form or Brooklyn Customer Service. | Permit/job number, applicant details, system screenshot and the exact error or issue. |
After-hours DOB help | Check NYC 311 DOB Buildings After Hours information. | Address, permit/job number and question for staff before attending. |
NYC DOB Brooklyn Borough Office Phone Numbers
Use the right DOB Brooklyn unit contact based on the issue. This can save time compared with calling the wrong desk or using the wrong online system.
Brooklyn DOB unit | Official phone | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
Customer Service | General Brooklyn DOB customer service questions. | |
Borough Commissioner | Borough office leadership contact listed by DOB. | |
Borough Director | Borough office administrative direction. | |
Certificate of Occupancy | Brooklyn CO questions and occupancy-related support. | |
Construction Development | Construction development inspection unit questions. | |
Construction Enforcement | Construction enforcement inspection unit questions. | |
Electrical Development | Electrical development inspection unit questions. | |
Plumbing Development | Plumbing development inspection unit questions. | |
DOB Main Phone | General NYC DOB phone contact. |
Brooklyn Property Owner and Contractor DOB Checklist
DOB issues can become expensive when owners, contractors, tenants and buyers do not check records early. Use this practical checklist before work starts or before a property transaction.
Situation | What to check | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
Buying a Brooklyn building | BIS complaints, violations, open jobs, DOB NOW filings, CO status and inspection history. | Search both DOB NOW and BIS before closing. |
Hiring a contractor | Who files, who pulls permits, who schedules inspections and who closes out the job. | Ask for permit/job numbers and DOB NOW proof before work starts. |
Renovating a brownstone or multifamily | Occupancy, structural work, plumbing, electrical, fire safety, façade, Landmark or related approvals. | Do not assume a simple alteration permit covers every issue. |
Commercial tenant build-out | Certificate of Occupancy, Public Assembly, use group, fire safety, accessibility and DOB approvals. | Check legal use before signing a lease or spending on design. |
Open violation found | Violation number, issue date, required correction, hearing or dismissal process. | Use official DOB records and, where needed, speak with a qualified professional. |
Why NYC DOB Brooklyn Permit and Inspection Issues Get Delayed
Most DOB delays happen because the user searches only BIS, misses DOB NOW records, lacks the correct job number, schedules inspections before work is ready, or contacts the wrong DOB unit.
Delay reason | What it usually means | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
Searching only BIS | Newer DOB NOW records may be missed. | Search DOB NOW and BIS for a full picture. |
No BIN, BBL or job number | Staff and systems may not locate the right record quickly. | Save job number, BIN, BBL and permit number from the start. |
Wrong inspection route | The inspection type may be scheduled in DOB NOW rather than by phone. | Check DOB NOW: Inspections first for supported inspection types. |
Open objections | Inspection objections or plan objections remain unresolved. | Respond to every objection clearly and keep proof of corrections. |
CO issue discovered late | Legal occupancy may not match intended use. | Check Certificate of Occupancy and legal use before purchase, lease or renovation. |
Complaint or violation ignored | Open enforcement problems can block future work or property transactions. | Search complaints and violations in BIS before filing new work or closing a deal. |
NYC DOB Brooklyn Phone Number, Address, Office Hours and Map
Use the Brooklyn Borough Office for borough-specific DOB support, but start online when the issue is a DOB NOW, BIS, inspection, complaint or help-form matter.
Brooklyn Borough Office
Address: 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Customer Service: 718-802-3675
Certificate of Occupancy: 718-802-3680
DOB Main Phone: 212-566-5000
Hours and general service
NYC DOB Contact Us states that in-person and drop-off customer service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and phone lines are open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, for all units unless otherwise indicated.
Call 311 for complaints and general NYC agency information.
Brooklyn inspection units
Construction Development: 718-802-4035
Construction Enforcement: 718-802-3685
Electrical Development: 718-802-4342
Plumbing Development: 718-802-3723
Before you call
Prepare the property address, BIN, BBL, job number, permit number, complaint number, violation number, DOB NOW record number, inspection type and screenshots if you are asking about a portal issue.
Map shows 345 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The NYC DOB Brooklyn Borough Office is listed at 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor.
NYC Department of Buildings Brooklyn FAQs
These FAQs focus on common searches around NYC DOB Brooklyn office contact, DOB NOW, BIS, inspections, complaints, violations, Certificate of Occupancy and official permit records.
QWhere is the NYC Department of Buildings Brooklyn office?
The NYC DOB Brooklyn Borough Office is located at 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
QWhat is the NYC DOB Brooklyn customer service phone number?
The official NYC DOB office locations page lists Brooklyn Customer Service at 718-802-3675.
QWho do I call for a Brooklyn Certificate of Occupancy question?
The official DOB Brooklyn Borough Office listing gives Certificate of Occupancy contact as 718-802-3680.
QHow do I search NYC DOB Brooklyn permits online?
Use both DOB NOW and BIS. DOB NOW Build is used for many newer DOB filings, while BIS is used for general property information such as complaints, violations, actions, applications and inspections. DOB says jobs filed in DOB NOW Build will not appear in BIS.
QHow do I schedule NYC DOB inspections in Brooklyn?
Use DOB NOW: Inspections for online scheduling and tracking of many DOB inspections. DOB says DOB NOW: Inspections provides online scheduling for virtually all inspections and improves tracking and notifications.
QWhat is the main NYC DOB phone number?
The official NYC DOB Contact Us page lists the DOB main phone number as 212-566-5000.
QHow do I file a DOB complaint in Brooklyn?
For complaints and general NYC agency information, call 311 inside New York City. Outside New York City, call 212-NEW-YORK, which is 212-639-9675.
QWhat is the difference between DOB NOW and BIS?
BIS is used to search general property information including complaints, violations, actions, applications and inspections. DOB NOW is used for many newer filings, work permits, inspections and online DOB transactions. DOB says jobs filed in DOB NOW Build will not appear in BIS.
QWhat are NYC DOB Brooklyn inspection unit phone numbers?
The official DOB office locations page lists Brooklyn inspection units including Construction Development 718-802-4035, Construction Enforcement 718-802-3685, Electrical Development 718-802-4342 and Plumbing Development 718-802-3723.
QCan I check Brooklyn DOB violations without an account?
Yes. NYC DOB says you do not need to sign up to access information in BIS. BIS can be used to search general property information including complaints, violations, actions, applications and inspections.
QWhat should I prepare before calling DOB Brooklyn?
Prepare the property address, BIN, BBL, job number, permit number, complaint number, violation number, DOB NOW record number, inspection type and screenshots if you are asking about an online system issue.
QIs Building-Department.org the official NYC DOB website?
No. Building-Department.org is an independent guide. Official permit filings, inspections, complaints, violations, payments, records and approvals must be handled through NYC Department of Buildings, DOB NOW, BIS or NYC 311.
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.