BIS means Buildings Information System
The Buildings Information System (BIS) is the New York City Department of Buildings’ public online lookup tool for property records. Homeowners can use it to check a building’s property profile, complaints, violations, permits, inspections, and certificate of occupancy information without creating an account. Official NYC DOB BIS page.
BIS is most useful when you want to understand the DOB history of a property and spot problems before they turn into fines, delays, or permit issues. It is a practical starting point for homeowners, buyers, and small property owners who need a quick public-record check.
What BIS helps homeowners do
- Check the property profile for core building details and official DOB identifiers such as the BBL and BIN.
- Review complaints, inspection history, and open or past violations connected to the property.
- Look up older job filings, permits, and certificate of occupancy records tied to the building.
- Do basic due diligence before buying, renovating, refinancing, or correcting DOB problems.
For many homeowners, BIS is the easiest place to start because it brings key legacy DOB records into one property-based view. It is especially helpful when you want to see whether a building has a history of unresolved complaints, permits, or occupancy issues.
What BIS does not do well
BIS is a legacy DOB system, so it does not show everything a homeowner may need today. In particular, jobs filed in DOB NOW: Build do not appear in BIS, which means BIS alone is not enough for a full check of newer filing activity. [web:27]
- It is not a complete source for newer DOB NOW: Build filings. [web:27]
- It should not be treated as legal advice or as a substitute for a licensed design professional, architect, engineer, or attorney.
- It may not answer deeper questions about filing strategy, legalization options, or whether a project is allowed under current code.
If you are researching a recent project or trying to understand active filing status, BIS may only give you part of the picture. Many owners start with BIS and then check DOB NOW if they need to confirm newer filing activity. [web:27][web:30]
How to use BIS
You can search BIS by address, borough-block-lot (BBL), or building identification number (BIN). For homeowners, the safest method is often to confirm the address first and then match the BBL or BIN so you know you are reviewing the correct property record.
- Search the property. Enter the address, BBL, or BIN in BIS and open the Property Profile.
- Confirm the building identity. Make sure the borough, address, BBL, and BIN match the property you are researching.
- Review occupancy information. Check whether a certificate of occupancy exists and whether the legal use appears consistent with how the property is being used.
- Check complaints and violations. Focus on open issues first, then review older records to understand the property’s history.
- Review jobs, permits, and inspections. This helps you see what work was filed, whether permits were issued, and whether DOB inspections were connected to those records.
A simple homeowner rule is this: first confirm the correct building, then check legal occupancy, then review open enforcement issues, and only after that study older permits and job history. That order usually makes the BIS Property Profile easier to understand.
How to read the BIS Property Profile
The BIS Property Profile is the summary page for a building in the legacy DOB system. It brings together the main public record categories linked to the property, including basic building details, complaints, violations, applications, inspections, and occupancy records.
What to look at first
- Address, BBL, and BIN: Use these to confirm you are on the correct property.
- Property profile details: Review the basic building description and other identifying information before interpreting the rest of the record.
- Certificate of Occupancy: Check whether one is listed and whether the legal use looks consistent with the actual use of the property.
- Complaints and violations: These can show safety issues, occupancy issues, work-without-permit concerns, or other DOB enforcement history.
- Jobs, permits, and inspections: These help explain what work was filed and how DOB tracked it.
If a record seems incomplete, inconsistent, or confusing, do not assume the issue is resolved. BIS is a useful public reference tool, but some newer filings and workflows now sit outside BIS in DOB NOW. [web:27]
BIS and newer DOB records
BIS is still useful, but it is no longer the only place where NYC DOB records are found. The Department now uses DOB NOW for many newer filing functions, and jobs filed in DOB NOW: Build are not viewable in BIS. [web:27]
This guide focuses on how to understand the BIS record itself. For a fuller comparison of BIS and DOB NOW, see our separate guide or blog article on using both systems. [web:27][web:30]
NEXT STEP
How to Use the BIS Property System
Good to know
This page is for general education only and is based on public New York City sources when available. Some technical and legal terms are simplified into plain English to help homeowners and ESL readers. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace guidance from a licensed professional. NYC construction and safety rules change often, and your project may have extra DOB*, OSHA*, or local requirements. Before you start work, always check current rules with a licensed design professional or directly with the NYC Department of Buildings.
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If you see any capital letter abbreviations on this page or in an official letter you received from the city and you do not understand them, you can try to look them up on our NYC Violation Codes HUB page with the search tool.
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