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BIS vs. DOB NOW: What's the Difference?
BIS (Building Information System) and DOB NOW are the two main public databases used by the NYC Department of Buildings. BIS is the older legacy system, while DOB NOW is the modern, interactive platform.
Understanding which system to use is crucial for property owners, buyers, and contractors. The DOB has been slowly migrating filings from BIS to DOB NOW over the last several years. Today, to get a complete picture of a property's history, compliance status, and active construction, you often have to check both.
Why it matters for NYC property owners
Missing information in either system can lead to costly surprises. A property might look perfectly clean in DOB NOW, but have lingering, unresolved violations or open Alt-1 permits hiding in the legacy BIS database. Conversely, a contractor might file a new job in DOB NOW that you won't see if you're only accustomed to checking BIS.
The Legacy System: BIS
The Building Information System (BIS) is the DOB's legacy mainframe database, accessible via the web. It holds historical property records, older violations, older permit filings (like legacy Alt-1, Alt-2, Alt-3 applications), and older Certificates of Occupancy. While the DOB is phasing out new filings in BIS, it remains the primary archive for historical property data and older OATH/ECB violation histories.
We check both systems for you
D.O.B. Guard pulls data from both BIS and DOB NOW to give you a unified, complete picture of your property.
Search Your PropertyThe Modern System: DOB NOW
DOB NOW is the modern, interactive system currently used to submit new job filings, pull permits, submit safety compliance reports (like facade, boiler, and elevator inspections), and manage licensing applications. It is broken into several portals: DOB NOW: Build for permits, DOB NOW: Safety for compliance filings, DOB NOW: Inspections, and DOB NOW: Licensing. Almost all new construction jobs must be filed here.
Which System Should I Check?
To perform proper due diligence, you must check both. Use BIS for historical context, old violations, and legacy Certificates of Occupancy. Use DOB NOW to track active construction, new permits, and recent safety compliance filings.
How D.O.B. Guard can help
D.O.B. Guard monitors data from both BIS and DOB NOW. We consolidate the information into one easy-to-read compliance dashboard, ensuring that whether a Stop Work Order is filed in BIS or a new permit is pulled in DOB NOW, you get the alert instantly.
Related Resources
Consolidate Your Property Data
Stop clicking between two confusing city databases. Search your property now or start monitoring to get unified alerts from both BIS and DOB NOW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will BIS be shut down completely?
Eventually, the DOB plans to migrate all functionality to DOB NOW. However, BIS will remain active for the foreseeable future as a historical archive because decades of paper records and legacy filings have not yet been fully digitized or migrated to the new system.
Can I file a new Alt-1 or Alt-2 in BIS?
No. The DOB no longer accepts new initial job filings in BIS. All new job filings (now categorized differently than the old Alt-1/2/3 system) must be submitted through DOB NOW: Build.
