DOB — Department of Buildings

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is the primary agency responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties across all five boroughs. DOB regulates the construction, alteration, and demolition of over one million buildings in the city, making it one of the most consequential agencies for property owners, developers, investors, and real estate professionals.

DOB operates through two digital platforms: DOB BIS (the legacy Building Information System) and DOB NOW (the modern filing and tracking platform). Together, these systems process hundreds of thousands of permit applications, inspections, and violation records annually.

DOB's jurisdiction covers every building in New York City, from single-family homes to skyscrapers. The agency enforces the NYC Building Code, Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution (in coordination with DCP), and various local laws including:

• Local Law 11/FISP — Facade Inspection Safety Program for buildings over 6 stories
• Local Law 152 — Gas piping inspection requirements
• Local Law 97 — Building emissions limits (in coordination with MOCEJ)
• Local Law 196 — Site Safety Training (SST) card requirements
• Elevator and boiler safety regulations
• Construction site safety, including cranes, scaffolding, and excavation

DOB issues three classes of violations:

• Class 1 — Immediately Hazardous: Conditions that pose an immediate threat to public safety, such as structural instability, illegal gas work, or unsafe construction sites. Penalties up to $25,000.
• Class 2 — Major: Significant code violations like work without a permit, failure to maintain building facade, or illegal conversions. Penalties up to $10,000.
• Class 3 — Non-Hazardous: Less severe violations such as missing signage, minor maintenance issues, or administrative non-compliance. Penalties up to $2,500.

Many DOB violations are referred to ECB/OATH for adjudication, where unpaid fines can become judgment liens against the property.

DOB issues the following permit types:

• New Building (NB) — Full new construction
• Alteration Type 1 (A1) — Major alterations changing use, egress, or occupancy
• Alteration Type 2 (A2) — Multiple work types not changing use or egress
• Alteration Type 3 (A3) — Single work type, minor scope
• Demolition (DM) — Full or partial demolition
• Sign permits, scaffold/sidewalk shed permits, and electrical work permits

DOB penalties range from $500 for minor Class 3 violations to $25,000 or more for Class 1 immediately hazardous conditions. Repeat violations carry escalating fines. Stop Work Orders halt all construction activity and can cost developers thousands per day in carrying costs. Vacate Orders require building evacuation. Criminal referrals are possible for the most egregious violations, particularly those involving worker safety.

ECB-adjudicated DOB violations that go unpaid are docketed as judgment liens against the property — not just the owner — and must be satisfied before title can transfer cleanly.

RegWatch pulls DOB data multiple times per day from official NYC Open Data feeds. Every property profile includes complete DOB violation history (all three classes), active and historical permits, job filings, inspection results, and Certificate of Occupancy records. Our portfolio monitoring feature alerts property owners and managers to new DOB violations, permit status changes, and upcoming inspection deadlines.

RegWatch cross-references DOB data with HPD violations, ECB fines, and tax records to create a unified compliance picture — something no single city database provides on its own.