Property research guide
New York City building-record research
A New York City property can have relevant records in several agencies and in both current and legacy building systems. Start with the borough, block, lot, and Building Identification Number, then keep the search results tied to those identifiers.
Sources reviewed September 15, 2026
01
Start with both building systems
Use DOB NOW and BIS to investigate available filings, permit information, inspections, and violations. Record types and historical coverage differ. An application record, an issued permit, and evidence of completion describe different stages of work. Do not treat one as proof of the others.
02
Review housing and zoning separately
For housing research, check HPD Online and available I-card records. Use ZoLa to identify mapped zoning information, then review the governing text and project-specific approvals. A mapped district or historic occupancy card alone does not establish that a proposed use is permitted.
03
Follow the document trail
ACRIS provides recorded documents for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx from 1966 onward. Staten Island requires a separate land-records route. Where building drawings or older files are not online, follow DOB’s records-request process. Keep copies of the documents and note when and where they were obtained.