Tracking building permits in New York, New York, is essential for architects working in the nation's largest construction market. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) handles building permits, plan reviews, and inspections for residential and commercial projects across all five boroughs.
Understanding New York's Permit Process
Before construction begins in New York City, DOB must review and approve job applications. Most work requires a DOB permit. Tracking status depends on when and how the job was filed—NYC currently maintains two online systems while DOB NOW gradually replaces the legacy Building Information System (BIS). DOB has said the Public Portal will fully replace BIS once every filing type moves to DOB NOW, but no retirement date has been published, and full demolitions and some professionally certified filings are still submitted through BIS.
Complex projects may also require coordination with other agencies, such as Landmarks (LPC), FDNY, or DEP. DOB's own first-review times are short, a few business days for most DOB NOW filings, but the department reports that the time a filing spends with the applicant answering objections is typically three times its review time—plan ahead and set client expectations accordingly.
Checking Permit Status Online
According to NYC311 – Building Permit Status, you can get the status of building work permits—including the type of work allowed and the expiration date—online, by phone, or in person.
DOB NOW Public Portal — Use the DOB NOW Public Portal (nyc.gov/dobnow) for jobs filed in DOB NOW. No account is required for public search. Search by address, borough/block/lot (BBL), building identification number (BIN), or job number. On a property profile, open job filings and use the Work Permit (PW2) tab to view permit number, status, permit type, and issued date.
Building Information System (BIS) — Use DOB Building Information Search for older filings submitted through eFiling or a borough office that are not yet in DOB NOW. BIS does not include DOB NOW records; the portal displays a notice directing users to DOB NOW for those filings.
For guidance on which system to use, see the Guide to BIS, DOB NOW & eFiling and DOB NOW Public Portal FAQs. You can also view filings by address on the City's Open Data portal via Building Applications & Permits.
By phone or in person — Call the DOB Borough Office where the property is located, dial 311, or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) from outside the city. You can also find a DOB Borough Office and visit in person.
Challenges for Architects in New York
Managing permits in New York presents a few challenges that are specific to the city:
- Two online portals: DOB NOW and BIS cover different filings; it is easy to check the wrong system
- Borough-based DOB: Property location determines which borough office handles the job
- Objection cycles: DOB's first review is quick, but each objection and resubmittal round adds weeks on the applicant's side
- Job filing complexity: New Building, Alteration-CO, and Alteration filings, registered design professionals, professional certification, and audits add steps
- Multi-agency coordination: LPC, FDNY, DEP, and others may be involved on the same project