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NYC BIN Lookup: How to Find a Building Identification Number (2026 Guide)
Every building in New York City has a unique BIN (Building Identification Number) — a 7-digit code assigned by the NYC Department of Buildings. BINs never change, even when addresses are modified or buildings are renovated. If you need to look up DOB violations, permits, complaints, or certificates of occupancy, the BIN is the most reliable way to search.
This guide explains what a BIN is, how to find one for any NYC property, and how to use it for building research and compliance.
What Is a BIN (Building Identification Number)?
A BIN is a permanent 7-digit number assigned to every building structure in NYC. The Department of Buildings assigns BINs when a building is first constructed, and the number stays with the structure for its entire lifespan — even if the address changes, the building is renovated, or ownership transfers.
Key Facts About BINs
- BINs are always 7 digits (e.g., 1234567)
- The first digit indicates the borough: 1 = Manhattan, 2 = Bronx, 3 = Brooklyn, 4 = Queens, 5 = Staten Island
- BINs are permanent — they don't change when buildings are sold, altered, or renamed
- Every physical structure gets its own BIN — one lot may have multiple BINs
- BINs are free to look up — no account or fee required
Why the BIN Matters
The BIN is the primary key the DOB uses to connect all records for a building. Every violation, permit, complaint, inspection, and certificate of occupancy is linked to a specific BIN. This makes BIN searches more reliable than address searches because:
- Address formats vary — "123 E 45th St" vs "123 East 45" vs "123 East 45th Street" can all return different results on BIS
- Buildings may have multiple addresses — corner buildings often have both a primary and secondary address
- New construction — newly built structures may not have a finalized address yet, but they always have a BIN
- Multi-building lots — properties with several structures have one address but multiple BINs, one per building
How to Find a BIN by Address
The fastest way to find a building's BIN is to search by address on BIS or D.O.B. Guard.
Method 1: D.O.B. Guard Free Lookup (Recommended)
- Go to dobguard.com/lookup
- Enter any NYC address
- The property profile shows the BIN at the top of the results along with violations, permits, and complaint data
Method 2: DOB BIS
- Go to a810-bisweb.nyc.gov
- Select "Property Profile Overview"
- Choose the borough, enter house number and street name (without suffix)
- Click "Go" — the BIN appears at the top of the Property Profile
For a complete walkthrough, see our NYC DOB BIS Search Guide.
Method 3: NYC ZoLA (Zoning and Land Use Application)
- Go to zola.planning.nyc.gov
- Search for the address
- Click on the building footprint on the map
- The BIN is displayed in the building details panel
Find a BIN by Block and Lot (BBL)
If you have the property's Borough-Block-Lot (BBL) number from a tax bill or deed, you can use it to find the BIN:
- Go to BIS
- Select the borough from the dropdown
- Enter the Block number and Lot number
- Click "Go" — BIS will list all buildings on that lot with their BINs
Pro Tip
If a lot has multiple buildings, BIS will show each one with its own BIN. Look at the street address listed next to each BIN to identify the correct structure.
Find a BIN from DOB Documents
BINs are printed on many official NYC documents:
| Document Type | Where to Find the BIN |
|---|---|
| DOB Violation Notice | Top header, labeled "BIN" or "Building ID" |
| ECB/OATH Summons | Respondent section, next to the address |
| Building Permit | Top of the permit card, under "Premises" |
| Certificate of Occupancy | First page, building details section |
| Inspection Report | Header block, next to the address |
| Property Tax Bill | Not shown (tax bills use BBL, not BIN) |
How to Search DOB Records by BIN
Once you have a BIN, you can search DOB records directly without worrying about address formatting:
- Go to BIS Property Profile search
- Scroll to the BIN field (near the bottom of the form)
- Enter the 7-digit BIN number
- Click "Go" — the property profile loads directly
From the property profile, you can access:
- DOB Violations — all active and historical violations
- ECB Violations — civil penalties and fine amounts
- Permits & Jobs — all construction permits filed
- Complaints — every DOB complaint on record
- Certificate of Occupancy — current and historical C of O
BIN vs. BBL: What's the Difference?
Two common NYC identifiers cause confusion: BIN and BBL. Here's how they differ:
| Feature | BIN | BBL |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Building Identification Number | Borough-Block-Lot |
| Identifies | A single physical building | A tax lot (parcel of land) |
| Format | 7 digits (e.g., 1234567) | 10 digits: Borough(1) + Block(5) + Lot(4) |
| Used by | DOB, BIS, DOB NOW | DOF (Finance), ACRIS, property tax |
| Multiple per lot? | Yes — each structure gets its own BIN | One per tax lot |
| Best for | DOB violations, permits, inspections | Property tax, deed, zoning records |
Example: A lot (BBL: 1-00668-0029) with a main building and a detached garage would have one BBL but two BINs — one for the main building and one for the garage. Violations on the garage link to the garage's BIN, not the main building's.
Multiple BINs at One Address
It's common in NYC for a single address to have more than one BIN. This happens when:
- Multiple structures on one lot — main building + garage, shed, or annex
- Building complexes — developments like housing projects or campus buildings share an address but have separate BINs per structure
- Condominium buildings — some condo developments have multiple BINs for connected wings or towers
When searching BIS by address for these properties, you'll see a list of all BINs at that address. Make sure you select the correct BIN for the specific building you're researching — violations and permits are tracked per-BIN, not per-address.
Common Mistake
Searching by address and only checking the first BIN that appears. If a lot has multiple buildings, the violations you're looking for might be on a different BIN. Always check all BINs at the address.
When You Need a BIN Number
Property Due Diligence
Before purchasing or leasing a property, use the BIN to pull the complete DOB record — violations, permits, complaints, C of O — and verify the building's compliance history.
Filing Permits
When filing for a building permit through DOB NOW, the system requires the BIN to associate the application with the correct building.
Responding to Violations
When disputing or resolving a DOB violation or ECB penalty, you'll reference the BIN to identify the building. The same applies when scheduling a re-inspection.
Tracking Construction Activity
Investors, neighbors, and community boards use BINs to monitor construction activity — checking if new permits have been filed, what type of work is planned, and whether the project has stop work orders or complaints.
Insurance & Risk Assessment
Insurance companies and risk assessors use BINs to pull violation and complaint histories, facade inspection (FISP) records, and boiler/elevator compliance data.
Automate BIN Lookups with D.O.B. Guard
Manually searching BIS by BIN works for one-off lookups. But if you manage multiple buildings or need to track changes across a portfolio, D.O.B. Guard automates the process.
D.O.B. Guard Tracks All Your Buildings by BIN
Enter each building's BIN once. D.O.B. Guard monitors it 24/7 and sends instant text and email alerts when:
- ✓ New DOB or ECB violations are issued
- ✓ Permits are filed, approved, or expire
- ✓ Complaints are reported against the building
- ✓ Inspection results are posted
- ✓ Facade inspection deadlines are approaching
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BIN stand for in NYC?
BIN stands for Building Identification Number. It's a unique 7-digit code assigned by the NYC Department of Buildings to every physical building structure in the five boroughs.
How do I find my building's BIN number?
The fastest way is to search by address on D.O.B. Guard's free lookup tool or on DOB BIS. The BIN appears at the top of the property profile. You can also find it printed on DOB violation notices, permits, and certificates of occupancy.
Is a BIN the same as a BBL?
No. A BIN identifies a specific building, while a BBL (Borough-Block-Lot) identifies a tax lot (parcel of land). One lot can have multiple buildings, meaning one BBL can correspond to several BINs.
Can a building have more than one BIN?
Each physical structure gets its own BIN. So if a lot has a main building and a detached garage, there are two BINs at that address. However, a single building structure always has exactly one BIN.
Does the BIN change when a building is sold?
No. BINs are permanent and stay with the building regardless of ownership changes, renovations, or address modifications. The only time a BIN is retired is when a building is fully demolished.
Can I search DOB NOW by BIN?
Yes. DOB NOW accepts BIN searches for permits and inspections. For full historical records, BIS provides more comprehensive results when searching by BIN.
