BIS: NYC's Building Information System
A complete guide to the Building Information System (BIS) — NYC's public database for property records, violations, permits, complaints, and Certificates of Occupancy.
What Is BIS?
The Building Information System (BIS) is the NYC Department of Buildings' public-facing database. It stores the complete regulatory history for every property in New York City — including permits, violations, complaints, inspections, Certificates of Occupancy, and more.
BIS is the legacy system that predates DOB NOW. While DOB NOW is the modern portal used for filing and tracking active applications, BIS remains the most comprehensive source for historical property data. Both systems are used together by expediters, attorneys, and property owners to get a full picture of a building's compliance status.
BIS is free and publicly accessible — no account required.
What You Can Look Up on BIS
Open and closed DOB violations
Active and historical permits (NB, ALT, DM)
Certificates of Occupancy (CO) and Temporary COs
Complaints and inspection results
Property profile: block, lot, zoning district, building class
Elevator, boiler, and façade (FISP) compliance records
How to Search BIS
BIS can be searched by property address, block & lot number, or BIN (Building Identification Number). Here's how to use it:
Go to the BIS Property Profile
Navigate to the DOB BIS website and select 'Property Profile Overview' or 'Buildings Information Search.'
Enter Your Property Details
Search by borough + house number + street name, or by borough + block + lot. You can also search by BIN if you have it.
Review the Property Profile
The results page shows the building's zoning, building class, number of stories, and links to violations, permits, complaints, COs, and more.
Drill Into Specific Records
Click into individual tabs to see violation details, permit histories, inspection results, and compliance status for elevators, boilers, and façades.
BIS vs. DOB NOW
Property owners often confuse BIS with DOB NOW. Here's the key difference:
| Feature | BIS | DOB NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Historical records & lookups | Filing new applications & tracking active jobs |
| Account Required | No | Yes (NYC.ID) |
| Violation History | Complete (all years) | Recent violations only |
| Permit Filing | View only | Submit & manage applications |
| Certificate of Occupancy | View & download | Limited access |
| Best For | Research & due diligence | Active construction projects |
Common Uses for Property Owners
- Checking for open violations before buying or refinancing a property
- Verifying that a contractor's permits are active and approved
- Confirming a valid Certificate of Occupancy is on file
- Reviewing complaint history to understand a building's enforcement profile
- Cross-referencing BIS records with ECB penalty data for full violation exposure
- Pulling historical permit records for renovation planning or due diligence
Why Work with an Expediter?
BIS data can be confusing. Violation codes, permit statuses, and compliance records require expertise to interpret correctly. A single misread can lead to missed deadlines, unexpected fines, or failed real estate transactions.
BVS regularly pulls and analyzes BIS data for clients — translating raw records into clear compliance reports and actionable next steps. Whether you're resolving a violation, preparing for a sale, or conducting a property analysis, we make BIS work for you.
Need Help Reading Your BIS Records?
Contact BVS today for a free property compliance review. We'll pull your BIS profile and explain exactly what's on your record.