- DOB NOW is NYC’s official online portal for building permits, filings, violations, and inspections — available 24/7
- It replaced most in-person borough office visits for DOB transactions
- Key modules: DOB NOW: Build, DOB NOW: Safety, DOB NOW: Inspections, and the Public Portal
- Anyone — including property owners, buyers, and the public — can search violation history and permit status
- Registered users can file jobs, submit fees, upload documents, and schedule plan examiner meetings
What Is DOB NOW?
DOB NOW (New York City Department of Buildings Now) is the NYC DOB’s online portal that consolidates permit filing, job applications, fee payments, inspection scheduling, document uploads, and violation lookups into one web-based platform. It launched in phases starting around 2016 and has progressively replaced in-person transactions at the DOB’s five borough offices.
DOB NOW is built around the concept of a Building Information Number (BIN) — a unique identifier assigned to every structure in New York City. Whether you are a developer managing active projects, an architect filing plans, or a prospective buyer researching a property, BIN is your starting point for any DOB NOW search or filing.
DOB NOW Modules
| Module | Who Uses It | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|
| DOB NOW: Build | Architects, engineers, owners, expediters, contractors | File new jobs and permit applications; pay fees; upload plans; respond to objections; schedule plan examiner meetings; track job status |
| DOB NOW: Safety | Building owners, facade consultants, site safety managers | File Local Law 11/facade inspection reports (FISP); submit Site Safety filings; manage construction superintendent registrations |
| DOB NOW: Inspections | Owners, contractors, architects | Request inspections; view scheduled and completed inspections; see inspection results and next steps |
| Public Portal (DOB NOW: Public) | Anyone — no account required | Search violations, permits, jobs, and inspections by address or BIN; no login required |
What You Can Look Up on the Public Portal
| Search Type | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|
| Violations | All open and closed DOB violations, violation codes (e.g., B101), dates issued, and disposition status |
| Active Jobs / Permits | Open job filings, permit numbers, filing dates, job type (NB, ALT1, ALT2, etc.), permit status |
| Inspection History | Past inspection results, dates, pass/fail outcomes |
| Certificates of Occupancy | Issued COs and TCOs, CO type, applicable floors and uses |
| Complaints | Filed DOB complaints, category, date, and status (open/closed) |
| Building Profile | BIN, block and lot, building class, year built, number of stories and units |
How to Register for a DOB NOW Account
A registered account is required to file jobs, pay fees, and use DOB NOW: Build or Safety modules. Registration is free. The steps are:
- Go to dobonline.buildings.nyc.gov and select “DOB NOW”
- Click “Create Account” and enter your name, email address, and a password
- Verify your email address via the confirmation link sent to your inbox
- Log in and complete your profile, including license information if you are a design professional or contractor
- For professionals: link your NYC DOB license number to gain access to filing functions
Property owners registering as owners (not professionals) can create an account and be added as the owner of record on a job filing by the filing representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DOB NOW?
DOB NOW is the NYC Department of Buildings’ online platform for managing all interactions with DOB — from permit applications and plan submissions to inspection requests and violation lookups. It operates 24/7 and has replaced most in-person transactions at the DOB’s five borough offices. Both registered users (owners, architects, contractors, expediters) and the general public can use different portions of the platform.
Can anyone use DOB NOW?
The public search portal (DOB NOW: Public) is available to anyone without an account — you can search by address or BIN and see violations, permits, jobs, and CO history. Filing and transactional functions (submitting applications, paying fees, uploading documents) require a registered account, and certain functions are restricted to licensed design professionals or contractors.
How do I look up violations on a property?
Go to the DOB NOW public portal at dobonline.buildings.nyc.gov, select “Public Portal,” and search by the property’s address or BIN number. Navigate to the “Violations” tab to see all open and closed DOB violations for that building, including violation codes, dates, and disposition status. For ECB (Environmental Control Board) violations, check the separate Buildings Information System (BIS) portal or NYC Open Data.
What is a BIN number?
A BIN (Building Identification Number) is a unique seven-digit number assigned by the NYC Department of Buildings to every structure in the five boroughs. It is the primary identifier used across DOB NOW, BIS, and other city databases. You can find a building’s BIN on the DOB NOW public portal by searching the property address, or through the NYC Department of City Planning’s ZOLA (ZoLa) map tool.
Need help navigating DOB NOW filings, resolving objections, or managing open violations on your property? All Boro Expediter handles the full DOB process on your behalf. Contact us to discuss your project.
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