When you own property in New York City, or perhaps you are planning to make changes to a building, knowing where to find official information is quite important. The sheer amount of data available can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but there are core systems put in place to help you sort through it all. One such system, a very central part of how the city keeps track of its buildings, is the Building Information System, often called BIS. This system, maintained by the NYC Department of Buildings, holds a truly vast collection of records about properties across the five boroughs, making it a key resource for many people.
This particular system acts as the main database for the Department of Buildings, which is known as DOB. It's a place where you can look up a lot of details about buildings, perhaps everything from how they were originally put together to any changes they have seen over time. You might be wondering, how does this all connect to your property, or maybe a building you are thinking about working on? Well, the BIS is where much of that official history and current status is kept, making it a very useful tool for anyone who needs to check on a property’s background or its ongoing projects.
So, this article will walk you through what the NYC Department of Buildings BIS is all about, what kind of valuable information you can pull from it, and how it fits in with other city tools like DOB NOW. We'll also touch upon how you can use this system to check on things like violations or even find your construction project job number. It's really about giving you a clear picture of how to use this public resource effectively, so you can find the property data you need without too much fuss, you know.
Table of Contents
- What is the NYC Department of Buildings BIS?
- Using the BIS: A Guide to Building Information
- BIS and DOB NOW: Understanding the Systems
- Getting Help and Staying Informed
- Frequently Asked Questions About the NYC Department of Buildings BIS
What is the NYC Department of Buildings BIS?
The Building Information System, or BIS, stands as the central database for the New York City Department of Buildings. It is, you might say, the heart of the DOB’s record-keeping for properties within the city. This system operates as a mainframe, which means it’s a foundational piece of technology that has been handling large amounts of critical data for quite some time. It's where a lot of the official records about buildings are kept, making it a really important spot for anyone who needs to verify details about a structure in New York City.
Through this BIS mainframe, people who need to submit official paperwork, often called a job filing, can do so directly to a DOB borough office. This shows how integrated the system is with the day-to-day operations of the department. It's not just a place to look things up; it's also a point where formal processes begin. This capability allows customers to submit applications for various building-related activities and, too, to make payments that are associated with those applications. So, it's a transactional system in a way, letting people get things done with the city’s building department.
The primary role of the BIS is to serve as the main repository for building information. This includes, for example, details about past construction projects that have taken place on a property. It also holds records about any current construction work that might be ongoing. Furthermore, the system keeps track of alteration jobs, which are changes made to existing structures. A very useful part of BIS, which is actually built right into it, is a license search feature. This means you can look up information about various licenses related to building work, which is pretty handy for verifying credentials or checking on contractors.
This comprehensive collection of data means that when you are looking for official records about a building, the BIS is usually the first place to go. It offers a way to view filing details online, which is a big convenience for people who need this information. Whether you are a property owner, a contractor, or just someone trying to understand a building's history, the BIS offers a window into those official records. It’s a tool that provides a lot of transparency into how properties are managed and regulated in New York City, which is really quite something.
Using the BIS: A Guide to Building Information
Using the Building Information System is a pretty straightforward process, generally speaking, when you want to view details online. As a mainframe system, it is designed to hold and display a wide range of official data about buildings. You can use it to search for a lot of different kinds of information, which is quite helpful for various purposes. For instance, if you are curious about a building's history, you can look up records of past construction. This might include when a building was put up, or major additions it received many years ago.
Moreover, the system lets you see details about current construction projects. This could be useful if you live near a site and want to understand what work is being done, or if you are a professional needing to check on a project’s status. Alteration jobs, which involve changes to existing structures, are also part of the information you can find. This is really important for knowing if a building has undergone significant modifications, and if those changes were officially approved. You can also perform a license search within BIS, which is a component of the system itself. This allows you to look up information about various licenses related to building work, which is a good way to verify that people or companies are properly credentialed for the tasks they undertake.
Finding Your Construction Project Job Number
For anyone involved in a construction project, finding the specific job number is a pretty important step. This number is your key identifier within the DOB's systems for that particular project. To find your construction project job number, you just need to go to the Building Information System, the BIS, and then enter the relevant details. Once you put in the necessary information, the system will help you locate that specific job number. This makes it easier to track the progress of your project or refer to it when you need to communicate with the Department of Buildings.
The department, in fact, can send you weekly emails that show the status of each job number you have entered into their system. This is a very helpful feature for staying on top of things without constantly having to check the portal yourself. It provides a consistent update, so you are always aware of where your project stands in the approval or inspection process. This sort of regular communication can really make a difference when you are trying to manage construction work in the city, so it's a good idea to take advantage of it.
Checking for Violations
A very common reason people access the Building Information System is to view violations on their property. This is a crucial function for property owners, or for anyone considering purchasing a property, for example. The BIS provides a way to see if there are any outstanding issues or penalties associated with a building. It's a direct way to get official information about a property's compliance with city building codes and regulations. Knowing about violations is important because they can affect a property’s value, its usability, and can even lead to further penalties if not addressed.
When you are looking at a property's profile within the BIS, you can refer to what is called the BIS property profile overview. This overview will show you the number of open DOB violations that are currently on record for that specific property. This is a quick way to get a summary of any issues that need attention. It's a very useful feature for due diligence, or just for staying informed about the condition and legal standing of your own property. So, if you have concerns about a building's compliance, this is definitely where you should look first.
BIS and DOB NOW: Understanding the Systems
While the Building Information System (BIS) has been, and continues to be, the main database for the NYC Department of Buildings, there is also a more recent system called DOB NOW. It is important to understand that these two systems are distinct, and they handle different types of filings. The information you search for in BIS does not include filings that have been submitted in DOB NOW. This means that if a project or a permit was processed through the newer DOB NOW system, you will not find those specific records when you search through the traditional BIS. This distinction is pretty key for getting all the information you need.
The DOB NOW system is designed to allow customers to submit applications, and to make payments, among other things. It represents a more modern approach to handling some of the city's building processes. So, while BIS is a foundational mainframe, DOB NOW is another portal that handles newer types of submissions. It is important to know which system holds the records you are looking for, especially since some older information is still primarily in BIS, while newer filings are in DOB NOW. This dual system approach means you might need to check both places depending on what you are trying to find, which is just something to keep in mind.
Important Differences and Limitations
It is really important to remember that the building information search you do in BIS does not include filings that have been submitted in DOB NOW. This is a key point of separation between the two systems. So, if you are looking for very recent project filings, especially those from 2017 onwards, you might need to use DOB NOW instead of BIS. For example, the information in BIS also does not include 2017 boiler inspection cycle compliance filings that were submitted after August 14, 2017. This specific date is a cutoff point for certain types of records within the BIS, meaning newer boiler compliance data will be found elsewhere.
This means that for a complete picture of a property's history and current status, you might need to consult both the BIS and the DOB NOW public portal. The systems are designed to complement each other, but they are not fully integrated in terms of all data being accessible from one single search. This is why understanding which system handles which type of record, and for what time period, is really quite helpful. It helps you avoid frustration when you can't find something in one place, knowing that it might be in the other, you see.
Accessing DOB NOW
Accessing the DOB NOW system has become even simpler in recent times. An efiling account, which used to be a requirement, is no longer needed to use DOB NOW. This change makes it much easier for people to get started with the newer system. You can now go directly to DOB NOW and select the option to create an account there, which then allows you to access the portal. This streamlined process means fewer hurdles for users who need to submit applications or access records through this platform.
For more detailed information, including tips on how to use the system effectively, you can visit the DOB NOW tips section. This resource is designed to help users understand the functionalities and navigate the portal with greater ease. It’s a good place to start if
