DOB NOW vs. BIS: where to search NYC building records

Use the system that received the filing

The Buildings Information System (BIS) contains property profiles and records created in the legacy filing system. DOB NOW contains applications and transactions submitted through the newer DOB NOW modules. The Department of Buildings says BIS data remains available while workflows continue moving into DOB NOW.

That transition is why a search in only one portal can miss relevant history. The DOB NOW Public Portal does not display filings that live in BIS, and older applications and permits are not recreated as DOB NOW filings merely because the newer portal exists.

Start with DOB NOW for newer filings

Search the DOB NOW Public Portal by address, borough-block-lot, BIN, or job number for applications submitted in DOB NOW. The property profile can include DOB NOW job filings, permits, Certificates of Occupancy, selected compliance filings, and violations issued through supported DOB NOW modules.

Coverage differs by transaction type and transition date. Treat the portal as the source for DOB NOW activity, not as a complete replacement for the building's BIS history.

• Confirm the address, BBL, and BIN before comparing results.
• Open the individual job or permit rather than relying only on the property summary.
• Keep filing, approval, permit issuance, expiration, inspection, and sign-off dates distinct.

Use BIS for legacy records and categories not in the public portal

A BIS Property Profile can expose legacy jobs and permits, complaints, violations, actions, inspections, and older occupancy information. NYC also directs researchers to BIS for 311-generated complaints and for a complete search of violation types that have not fully transitioned to DOB NOW.

BIS labels describe the administrative record at the time the system was updated. Open the linked item and compare it with newer records before treating an old status as current.

Use NYC Open Data as a cross-system research layer

NYC Open Data publishes separate DOB NOW job-filing and approved-permit datasets alongside the legacy BIS permit-issuance dataset. Those feeds are useful for structured comparison, but their documented exclusions and update schedules still apply.

LotContext queries supported datasets independently and preserves whether each source succeeded, returned no matching rows, or was unavailable. It does not convert a missing system response into evidence that no filing or condition exists.

A defensible two-system workflow

Resolve the property first, search DOB NOW and BIS with the same identifiers, and save the job, permit, complaint, violation, and occupancy numbers that matter. Reconcile records by identifier and date rather than by similar descriptions alone.

For a material construction, occupancy, or enforcement question, verify the current record with DOB and consult a qualified professional where appropriate. Neither portal by itself establishes legal use, completed work, safety, or compliance.