Code: FOIL (official acronym)
Description: (Freedom of Information Law) - It is the law that lets the public request records from NYC or New York State government agencies, including the Department of Buildings.
Practical Meaning: For NYC homeowners, FOIL is a way to ask DOB for public records about a property, filing, permit history, or other agency documents. It does not make DOB answer general questions; it is only for records.
Where You May See It: You may see FOIL in DOB record requests, OpenRecords submissions, agency letters, appeals, and emails about access to public records.
Why It Matters: It matters because homeowners sometimes need DOB records to check a building’s history, confirm past filings, or understand a violation or permit issue. FOIL can help get documents that are not already easy to find online.
Source: DOB FOIL Requests