Use the Right Brooklyn DOB System Before You File, Search, Inspect or Visit the Office
Brooklyn building records are split across more than one official system. DOB NOW handles many newer filings and permits. BIS holds older jobs and property history. Inspection, violation, Certificate of Occupancy and records requests each follow a different route.
This page shows exactly where to start, what number to save, which Brooklyn unit to contact and how to confirm that work is legally closed—not simply approved or paid.
Choose the Exact Brooklyn DOB Task
Which NYC DOB System Should You Use?
Choose the task. The result gives the first official route and the key number or detail to prepare.
DOB NOW or BIS? Use Both When You Need the Full Property History
Need | Start here | Why | Search tip |
|---|---|---|---|
Newer job filing or permit | DOB NOW | Many modern filings, permits, objections and online transactions are handled here. | Search by BIN when one building has several street addresses. |
Older applications and permits | BIS | BIS contains jobs and permits created before the DOB NOW transition. | Use borough, block and lot when address results are unclear. |
Complaints and DOB violations | BIS + DOB NOW | Legacy violations may be in BIS; newer safety and compliance records may appear in DOB NOW. | Save the violation or complaint number before calling. |
Certificate of Occupancy | Date-based search | Older CO records use BIS; records issued on or after March 1, 2021 use DOB NOW. | Check legal floor use, not only whether a PDF exists. |
Complete buyer or owner check | Search both | One system alone can miss part of the building history. | Compare address, BIN, BBL, job numbers and final statuses. |
Call the Unit That Matches the Problem
Search a Brooklyn Building in Five Practical Steps
Start with the exact address
Use the house number and street name. For a building with several addresses, search the main address first.
Search DOB NOW Public Portal
Open the Address or BIN search and review BUILD job filings, permits, inspections, violations and CO information available for the property.
Search BIS separately
Review the Property Profile, complaints, violations, applications, actions, inspections and older Certificate of Occupancy records.
Open every relevant job number
Do not stop at the property summary. Check work type, filing status, permit status, applicant, inspections, objections and sign-off.
Save a property record folder
Keep the BIN, BBL, job numbers, permit PDFs, CO, violations, inspection results and closure documents together.
How a Brooklyn DOB Job Moves From Filing to Work Permit
What DOB NOW: Build can do
- File jobs online
- Submit fees
- Upload documents
- View objections
- Schedule virtual objection meetings
- File Post Approval Amendments
- Make corrections
- Print work permits
What must be complete before permit issuance
- Approved job filing
- Correct permit request
- Required stakeholder signatures
- Contractor or licensee information
- Work Without Permit penalties resolved
- Permit objections cleared
- Fees paid
- Permit status shows issued
What to Check Before Common Brooklyn Projects
Project | Check first | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Brownstone renovation | CO or legal-use records, structural scope, plumbing/electrical, Landmarks status and open jobs | Historic fabric, occupancy and old unclosed work can change the filing path. |
Basement or cellar conversion | Legal use, ceiling height, egress, light/air, flood risk and utility systems | A finished basement is not automatically a legal apartment or bedroom. |
Two-family or multifamily alteration | Legal dwelling-unit count, fire separation, means of egress and CO impact | Changing rooms, units or occupancy can require more than a minor alteration filing. |
Storefront or restaurant | Permitted use, CO, occupancy load, accessibility, exhaust, gas, fire and sign approvals | A lease does not prove the intended use is legal. |
Roof, deck or rear-yard addition | Zoning, structural plans, lot coverage, fire separation and Landmarks | Exterior work may affect zoning and adjoining properties. |
Buying a property | DOB NOW, BIS, CO, complaints, violations, open permits and inspection status | Visible renovations may not match the legal record. |
Schedule and Prepare for Brooklyn DOB Inspections
Start online
DOB NOW: Inspections provides online scheduling, tracking and notifications for virtually all inspections.
Use the correct unit
Construction Development: 718-802-4035
Electrical Development: 718-802-4342
Plumbing Development: 718-802-3723
Check the result
Open the inspection record, read every objection and confirm whether certification or reinspection is required.
Before scheduling
- Permit is issued
- Correct inspection type selected
- Work is complete for that stage
- Approved documents available
- Site is safe and accessible
- Required responsible party is ready
After an objection
- Read the exact objection
- Correct every cited item
- Upload revision if required
- Use electronic certification only when allowed
- Reschedule only when ready
- Save the final result
Certificate of Occupancy, Letter of No Objection and Letter of Completion
Document | Use it for | Where to look | Important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
Certificate of Occupancy | Legal occupancy, use, floors and dwelling units | BIS for records before March 1, 2021; DOB NOW for records on or after that date | Read floor-use lines, not only the document title. |
Letter of No Objection | Proof of legal use when an older building was not required to have a CO | Request through the borough office and current DOB process | Buildings built before 1938 may lack a CO unless later changes triggered one. |
Letter of Completion | Minor alterations that do not require a new or amended CO | DOB NOW: Build for eligible jobs | Permits and applicable inspections must be signed off. |
What to Do With a Complaint, DOB Violation, OATH Summons or Stop Work Order
Issue | First action | What closes it |
|---|---|---|
Unsafe or illegal work complaint | Report through NYC 311 and search the property record | DOB inspection and agency disposition; an immediate emergency belongs with 911 |
DOB violation | Open the violation in BIS or DOB NOW and identify the issuing unit | Correct the condition, provide proof and pay applicable civil penalties |
OATH/ECB summons | Review hearing, payment and Certificate of Correction requirements | OATH resolution plus an accepted Certificate of Correction when required |
Stop Work Order | Stop the prohibited work and contact the issuing or Enforcement unit | Correct conditions, certify applicable violations, request reinspection, pay penalties and obtain rescission |
Brooklyn Enforcement contact
Certificate of Correction questions
Use the official DOB help form for general Certificate of Correction and OATH summons questions.
Request Brooklyn DOB Plans, Microfilm and Property Folders
Search public records first
Use DOB NOW and BIS to identify the exact job, permit, application or document type.
Submit a DOB NOW: BIS Options request
DOB accepts requests for folders, plans, microfilm, docket books, reels, index/I-cards and curb-cut cards through the online records process.
Use exact identifiers
Enter the Brooklyn address, BIN, BBL and BIS or DOB NOW job number when available.
Wait for the availability email
The city sends an email when requested material is ready for pickup at the borough office where the property is located.
Bring the confirmation
Do not visit the record room hoping staff can find an unrequested folder. Bring the request confirmation and availability notice.
What Common DOB Statuses Mean
Fix Common NYC DOB Brooklyn Problems
Problem | Likely reason | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
Address shows no recent job | The filing is in DOB NOW, not BIS | Search DOB NOW by BIN and address. |
One building appears under several addresses | Corner lot, merged lots or multiple entrances | Use BIN and BBL instead of relying on one street address. |
Approved job but no work permit | Permit request, signatures, fees, contractor data or penalties remain | Open the permit section and identify the outstanding item. |
Inspection cannot be scheduled | Permit is not issued, wrong inspection module or user is not associated | Confirm permit status and use DOB NOW: Inspections or Inspections Plus. |
Owner cannot see the filing after login | The stakeholder email does not match the NYC.ID email | Confirm the email used on the filing and use DOB Help before creating duplicates. |
Old plans are not public online | Plan sets are not published or the file is archived | Submit a DOB NOW: BIS Options records request. |
Property has no CO | It may predate 1938 or require legal-use research | Search old records and ask the Brooklyn CO unit about an LNO route. |
Violation is still open after repair | Proof of correction or civil penalty remains | Contact the issuing unit and complete the correct Certificate of Correction process. |
What to Say When You Contact Brooklyn DOB
“I am checking job [number] at [address]. The property BIN is [BIN]. The filing shows [status], but I cannot identify what is blocking permit issuance. Which item or unit must act next?”
“I am calling about violation [number] at [address]. The condition has been corrected. Which issuing unit reviews the proof, and is a Certificate of Correction or reinspection required?”
“I searched DOB NOW and BIS for [address]. I found [CO/no CO] and the building was built in [year]. What document does the borough office require to confirm legal use?”
“I need the approved plans and inspection history for job [number] at [address]. The BIN is [BIN] and BBL is [BBL]. Which DOB NOW: BIS Options record type should I request?”
Do Not Consider the DOB Matter Finished Until These Are Checked
- DOB NOW searched
- BIS searched
- BIN and BBL confirmed
- Correct job number saved
- Work permit issued
- Approved plans saved
- Required inspections completed
- Objections resolved
- Trade permits signed off
- CO, LNO or LOC confirmed
- Violations corrected and dismissed
- Final proof saved
NYC DOB Brooklyn Borough Office Map
In-person hours: 8:30 AM–4:00 PM. Ticket kiosks stop issuing cashier and record-room tickets at 3:45 PM. Phone lines are open until 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday.
Open the Correct NYC DOB Resource
NYC Department of Buildings Brooklyn Questions
Where is the NYC DOB Brooklyn Borough Office?
The Brooklyn Borough Office is at 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. In-person customer service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and phone lines are open until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
What is the Brooklyn DOB customer service phone number?
Brooklyn Customer Service is 718-802-3675. Use the specialized unit numbers for Certificate of Occupancy, Construction Development, Construction Enforcement, Electrical Development or Plumbing Development questions.
Should I search DOB NOW or BIS for a Brooklyn property?
Search both when you need a complete property history. DOB NOW contains many newer filings and online transactions. BIS contains older jobs, complaints, violations, applications, actions and inspections. BIS does not include filings submitted in DOB NOW.
How do I search Brooklyn DOB permits online?
Start in DOB NOW Public Portal and search by address or BIN. Then search BIS separately for older job and permit history. Open each job number to check filing status, permit status, inspections, objections and sign-off.
How do I schedule a DOB inspection in Brooklyn?
Use DOB NOW: Inspections for online scheduling, tracking and notifications. Confirm that the permit is issued, select the correct inspection type and keep approved documents and the work area ready.
How do I find a Brooklyn Certificate of Occupancy?
Use BIS for a Certificate of Occupancy issued before March 1, 2021. Use DOB NOW Address Search for a CO issued on or after March 1, 2021. Read the floor-use and occupancy details, not only the PDF title.
What if a Brooklyn building has no Certificate of Occupancy?
A building built before 1938 may not have required a CO unless later alterations changed its use, egress or occupancy. Contact the Brooklyn CO unit about legal-use research and whether a Letter of No Objection may be appropriate.
How do I report illegal or unsafe construction in Brooklyn?
Use NYC 311 for complaints and general city service requests. Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to life or safety. Save the complaint number and check the property in BIS and DOB NOW.
How do I request old Brooklyn building plans?
Search DOB NOW and BIS to identify the job, then submit a records request through DOB NOW: BIS Options. The city can process requests for plans, folders, microfilm, docket books, reels, index cards and other listed records.
What does “approved” mean in DOB NOW?
Approved generally means the job filing passed plan review, but it does not necessarily mean work can begin. A separate permit request may still need signatures, fees, contractor information, penalty resolution and formal permit issuance.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent guide and is not the NYC Department of Buildings.
This page was rebuilt using official NYC DOB Office Locations, Contact Us, DOB NOW: Build, DOB NOW: Inspections, BIS, Find Building Data, Certificate of Occupancy, violation-resolution and NYC 311 resources.
Last reviewed: July 21, 2026.
Portal modules, staff, appointment procedures and service notices can change. Use the official links for live transactions and confirm time-sensitive requirements before visiting, filing, paying or starting 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
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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.