Search active and historical building permits for any NYC property. Track DOB job filings, permit status, and construction activity across all five boroughs with daily refresh.
2.9M+ NYC properties · DOB NOW + BIS combined · Updated daily
NYC building permits are issued and tracked by the Department of Buildings (DOB) through two systems: DOB NOW (a810-dobnow.nyc.gov) for current filings, and BIS (a810-bisweb.nyc.gov) for historical records. Both are free to search by address. Permit types include NB (New Building), A1 (Major Alteration), A2/A3 (Minor Alterations), and DM (Demolition). For a combined search of both DOB permit systems plus associated violations and ECB penalties, RegWatch aggregates all permit data in one lookup:
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) issues permits for virtually all construction, renovation, and demolition work in the five boroughs. RegWatch tracks permits across 2.9 million+ NYC properties, combining data from DOB NOW and BIS for complete coverage. Permits range from minor alterations (Alt-3) to major new building construction (NB). Understanding a property's permit history reveals critical information about construction activity, planned renovations, and compliance status.
Traditionally, checking permit status requires navigating DOB NOW or BIS (Building Information System) — separate systems with different interfaces and data. Contractors and expediters often need to cross-reference both systems to get a complete picture.
RegWatch aggregates permit data from all DOB systems and presents it in a clean, filterable interface. For each property you'll see:
This is invaluable for investors evaluating development activity in a neighborhood, contractors checking on competing projects, and property owners monitoring work on adjacent buildings.
Open permits can be a red flag during property transactions. Unpermitted work, expired permits, and outstanding DOB objections can delay closings, increase insurance costs, and create liability. Check for associated DOB violations and ECB penalties alongside permit data. RegWatch flags these issues automatically, helping attorneys and title companies identify permit-related risks before they become problems.
Enter any NYC address into RegWatch to see all active and historical building permits, including job type, status, and associated violations.
NB = New Building, A1 = Major Alteration (change use/egress/occupancy), A2 = Alteration involving multiple work types, A3 = Minor Alteration (one work type, no change of use).
Yes. Open or expired permits may need to be resolved before closing. They can also affect title insurance and indicate unpermitted work.
Yes. RegWatch shows permit filings for any address, making it easy to monitor development activity in specific areas.
Yes. RegWatch aggregates permit data from both DOB NOW (the newer system) and BIS (the legacy Building Information System) for complete coverage.
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