DOB NOW vs. BIS: Where To Check Permits, Complaints, and Violations

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) operates two main systems for accessing building records: DOB NOW (the new platform) and BIS (Buildings Information System) (the legacy system). Knowing which system to use—and how to navigate each—is critical for property owners, developers, contractors, and buyers. This guide explains both systems and shows you exactly where to find permits, violations, complaints, inspections, and more.

Quick Reference: DOB NOW vs. BIS

When to Use DOB NOW

Use DOB NOW for:

• New Permit Applications: All new construction, alteration, and demolition permits (required since 2020)
• Online Renewals: Renew permits or extend work deadlines
• Inspections: Schedule DOB inspections or check inspection results
• Current Violations: View open violations issued after 2020
• Live Permit Status: Track application review, objections, approvals, and work progress
• Payment Processing: Pay fees, penalties, and fines

Best for: Property owners actively filing permits or managing recent projects.

When to Use BIS

Use BIS for:

• Historical Research: View all permits, violations, and complaints from 1985–2020
• Due Diligence: Pre-purchase property research (full violation history, past permits, illegal work)
• Legal Cases: Retrieve archived records for lawsuits, OATH hearings, or title disputes
• Old Permits: Confirm sign-off status for permits issued before DOB NOW
• Comprehensive Violation History: See resolved violations (DOB NOW only shows open violations)

Best for: Buyers, attorneys, title companies, and researchers.

How to Search DOB NOW

Step 1: Go to DOB NOW Public Portal

Visit https://a810-dobnow.nyc.gov/publish/

Step 2: Search by Address or BIN

Enter:

• House Number + Street Name + Borough (e.g., "123 Main Street Brooklyn")
• BIN (Building Identification Number): 7-digit unique building ID (e.g., 1234567)

Step 3: View Results

DOB NOW displays tabs for:

• Jobs: Active permits (Alteration, New Building, Demolition)
• Violations: Open DOB violations (Class 1, 2, 3)
• Complaints: 311 service requests and DOB complaints
• Inspections: Scheduled and completed inspections
• Certificates of Occupancy (C of O): Legal use and occupancy type

Pro Tips:

• Use the BIN instead of address for faster, more accurate results (find BIN in BIS or NYC Zoning & Land Use)
• Click on job numbers to see detailed drawings, plans, and filing history
• Set up a DOB NOW account (free) to save frequent searches

How to Search BIS

Step 1: Go to BIS Public Portal

Visit http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bispi00.jsp

Step 2: Search Property Profile

Enter:

• Borough + Block + Lot (BBL): Tax lot identifier (e.g., Manhattan Block 1234 Lot 56)
• House Number + Street + Borough
• BIN

Step 3: View Property Profile

BIS shows:

• Property Overview: Building dimensions, year built, zoning district
• Permits: All DOB permits (1985–2020) with approval dates, architects, contractors
• Violations: All ECB, DOB, and hazardous violations (open + dismissed)
• Complaints: 311 complaints and DOB complaint inspections
• ECB Violations: Environmental Control Board violations with hearing dates and fines
• Certificate of Occupancy: Current legal use (e.g., "2-Family" or "Commercial")

Pro Tips:

• Always check both DOB NOW and BIS for complete due diligence
• Download PDF reports from BIS for records (they're not permanent links)
• Use BIS to verify if old permits were signed off (look for "Final" status)

Common Use Cases

Buying a Property?

1. Search BIS for full permit history (check for illegal work, unpermitted alterations)
2. Check DOB NOW for current open violations
3. Review complaints in both systems (signs of tenant issues or structural problems)
4. Verify C of O matches actual use (e.g., not using a 2-family as a 4-family)
5. Look for open permits that need sign-off (can delay closings or cause title issues)

Filing a New Permit?

1. Create DOB NOW account (need professional credentials: architect, engineer, contractor)
2. Check BIS for existing C of O and zoning restrictions
3. File application in DOB NOW (Alteration Type 1, 2, 3 or New Building)
4. Track objections and plan exam comments in DOB NOW dashboard
5. Pay fees online and schedule inspections

Resolving a Violation?

1. Find violation details in DOB NOW (recent) or BIS (historical)
2. Determine correction requirements (permit needed, repair timeline)
3. File correction certification in DOB NOW or ECB portal
4. Schedule re-inspection to verify compliance

Checking Permit Status?

1. Search DOB NOW for active permits (shows "Plan Exam," "Approved," "Work in Progress," "Final")
2. Check BIS for older permits (pre-2020) to verify sign-off

Other NYC Building Record Systems

NYC Open Data Portal

URL: opendata.cityofnewyork.us

Use for: Bulk data downloads (CSV, JSON, API access). Great for researchers, developers, and data analysts.

Datasets: DOB permits, DOB violations, ECB violations, HPD violations, 311 complaints, building footprints, PLUTO tax lot data.

ACRIS (Property Records)

URL: a836-acris.nyc.gov

Use for: Property deeds, mortgages, liens, ownership history.

NYC Zoning & Land Use (ZoLa)

URL: zola.planning.nyc.gov

Use for: Zoning districts, flood zones, historic districts, air rights, lot dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't DOB NOW show old permits?

DOB NOW launched in 2018 and only includes data from that date forward. For historical permits (1985–2020), use BIS.

Can I download reports from DOB NOW?

DOB NOW allows you to print job details and inspection reports. For comprehensive PDFs, use BIS or NYC Open Data API.

Do I need an account to search DOB NOW or BIS?

No. Both systems have free public search portals. Accounts are only needed for filing permits or making payments.

How often is data updated?

DOB NOW: Real-time (updated immediately after inspections or filings).
BIS: Updated nightly (24-hour delay).
NYC Open Data: Updated weekly to monthly depending on dataset.

What if a permit is missing from DOB NOW and BIS?

Possible reasons: (1) Very old permit (pre-1985), (2) Filed in paper-only archives, (3) Work done illegally without permit. Contact DOB Records Division at (212) 393-2600.

Key Takeaways

• Use DOB NOW for current permits, violations, and filings (2018+)
• Use BIS for historical research and due diligence (1985–2020)
• Always check both systems for complete property records
• Automate monitoring with tools like D.O.B. Guard to avoid manual searches

Resources

• DOB NOW Public Portal
• BIS (Buildings Information System)
• NYC Open Data Portal
• NYC DOB Violations Complete Guide
• NYC Permit Types 101

Related Resources

• NYC DOB Violations: Complete 2025 Guide
• NYC Permit Types 101
• NYC Violation Lookup: Complete Guide
• Free NYC Violation Lookup Tool

Last updated: October 2025. This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify official records with DOB.