Search NYC DOB permits by address
Check what construction and building work is on record before you rent. Compare the permits with complaints, violations and occupancy documents for the same address.
What a building permit tells you
A DOB permit approves specified work for a stated period. It does not prove that all the work was finished, that the apartment was unaffected or that no complaints or violations followed.
Permit records are split between BIS, DOB NOW and Open Data as the city changes systems. The Department of Buildings says a complete job and permit search may require more than one source.
What Apartment Fax checks
- 01
DOB permits matched to the building's identifier
- 02
Permit type, work description, dates and filed contractor details
- 03
Related DOB jobs, complaints, violations and ECB enforcement
- 04
Occupancy documents, building facts and housing conditions
What to read in a permit record
Check the type of work, description, issue date, expiration date and status. Plumbing, boiler, elevator, alteration and new-building work can affect tenants differently. Read what the permit covers rather than stopping at the permit count.
Apartment Fax shows permits alongside complaints and violations from the same period. You can see whether residents reported problems or the city found a rule violation during the work.
Why you may need both DOB systems
BIS holds older permits and job applications. DOB NOW holds newer filings as the department moves its processes online, and Open Data publishes other permit datasets. Searching only one system can miss records.
Use the Apartment Fax report to start your research, then confirm current work in the official DOB portals. Ask the landlord or broker how construction affects access, noise, services and the space's legal use.
Check the official records
Frequently asked questions
How do I search DOB permits by NYC address?
Search the exact address in DOB NOW and BIS. Apartment Fax brings available permits together with related complaints, violations and building facts.
Does a permit mean construction is finished?
No. A permit approves specified work. Check its dates and status, related job filings, sign-offs, complaints and violations to see what happened afterward.
Why can the same building have several permits?
Different trades and projects can need separate permits. One renovation may have filings for general construction, plumbing, electrical and other work.