Brooklyn, New York Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Brooklyn DOB Office: Address, Phone Numbers & Hours

DOB advises contacting the borough office where the property is located. For Brooklyn properties, that means the Brooklyn Borough Office. Ticket kiosks for certain cashier and record-room transactions stop issuing service tickets at 3:45 p.m.

Official DOB Office Locations DOB Contact Directory

NYC DOB also operates Buildings After Hours on scheduled first and third Tuesdays, generally from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check the current DOB schedule before traveling because dates and service availability can change.

Which NYC DOB System Should You Use?

Brooklyn building records are split across multiple NYC systems. Using the correct one saves time.

Open DOB NOW Search DOB NOW Public Portal Search BIS

Do You Need a Building Permit in Brooklyn?

Many construction and alteration projects require DOB approval, but not every repair requires a permit. The answer depends on the exact scope of work, building type, structural impact, plumbing or electrical work, occupancy, zoning and other conditions.

NYC Administrative Code provides exemptions for certain minor alterations and ordinary repairs. DOB specifically notes examples such as replacement of faucets, toilets and sinks in some circumstances. That exemption should not be stretched to cover structural, gas, electrical, major plumbing, occupancy-changing or other regulated work.

How to Get a Brooklyn Building Permit: Practical Workflow

1. Check the property record.
   Search the Brooklyn address in BIS and the DOB NOW Public Portal. Note the Building Identification Number (BIN), prior permits, open violations, Certificate of Occupancy information and active jobs.
2. Define the exact scope of work.
   Write down what is being changed: walls, rooms, structure, plumbing, electrical systems, mechanical equipment, occupancy, exterior work, roof work or other elements.
3. Determine whether a Registered Design Professional is required.
   Many projects require a New York State-licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to prepare and submit construction documents.
4. Check related approvals before filing.
   Depending on the property, the project may involve zoning, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, Fire Department or another agency.
5. Create the DOB filing.
   Most current filings are submitted through DOB NOW: Build. The applicant enters project details, uploads plans and supporting documents, completes required statements and pays applicable filing fees.
6. Resolve plan-exam objections.
   If DOB identifies code or documentation issues, the applicant must respond and revise the filing before approval.
7. Obtain the work permit.
   Approval of plans is not always the same as permission to begin work. The appropriate licensed or registered contractor generally obtains the work permit after required conditions are satisfied.
8. Keep approved documents available during construction.
   Work should follow the approved scope. Material changes may require an amendment rather than an informal field change.
9. Complete required inspections.
   Request DOB inspections and arrange any required special or progress inspections at the correct project stages.
10. Close the project properly.
    Resolve objections, obtain final sign-offs and secure the appropriate Letter of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy when required.

DOB NOW: Build Guidance

Information and Documents You May Need

The exact submission package depends on the project, but preparing the following information early can reduce delays:

• Correct Brooklyn property address, borough, block/lot and BIN where applicable.
• Owner information and the email address used for DOB correspondence.
• Detailed project scope and estimated construction cost.
• Construction drawings prepared by the appropriate design professional when required.
• Contractor, plumber, electrician or other license information applicable to the work.
• Energy Code documentation when the project triggers applicable requirements.
• Required technical reports and special/progress inspection information.
• Supporting agency approvals when the property or scope requires them.
• Existing Certificate of Occupancy or legal-use information when occupancy is relevant.
• Documentation addressing DOB objections or existing conditions that affect approval.

Property owners remain responsible for ensuring their project complies with applicable rules even when professionals and contractors handle the filing.

Check NYC construction professionals and license records before hiring.

Brooklyn Building Permit Fees and Online Payments

There is no single flat “Brooklyn building permit fee.” DOB charges depend on the application type, scope, declared cost, work category and other filing conditions. DOB NOW calculates applicable fees for supported filings.

Do not budget a project using a fee quoted for another property. Ask the filing professional to identify the actual DOB filing fee and any separate professional, inspection, agency or contractor charges for your project.

How to Schedule a DOB Inspection in Brooklyn

DOB NOW: Inspections is used for most applicable development inspections, including construction, plumbing, boilers, elevators and other supported work types. In 2026, DOB NOW: Inspections Plus is being used for Electrical Development inspections, with additional functionality being introduced over time.

1. Confirm the permit is eligible for inspection.
   Check the job and permit status before requesting an appointment.
2. Use the correct DOB inspection system.
   For most supported inspections use DOB NOW: Inspections. For Electrical Development inspections, follow current DOB NOW: Inspections Plus instructions.
3. Sign in with the account associated with the filing.
   Owners should make sure their account email matches the owner email associated with the applicable filing where DOB requires that match.
4. Select the permit and inspection type.
   Request the inspection or reinspection and review any preparation instructions.
5. Prepare the site and documents.
   Required work must be accessible and ready. Keep relevant approved plans and permit information available.
6. Review results and objections.
   If an inspection does not pass, correct the cited issue and follow the required reinspection or certification process.

DOB NOW: Inspections Inspections Plus

How to Search Brooklyn Permits, Violations and Building Records

For older and legacy DOB records: use BIS

1. Open the NYC Building Information System.
2. Choose Brooklyn as the borough.
3. Enter the house number and street name.
4. Open the Property Profile.
5. Review applications, permits, complaints, violations, inspections and Certificate of Occupancy information.

For newer DOB NOW filings: use the Public Portal

1. Open the DOB NOW Public Portal.
2. Search by the available property or job information.
3. Open the property or filing result.
4. Review job status, permit information and available filing details.

This two-system check is important because DOB specifically states that jobs filed in DOB NOW: Build do not appear in BIS.

Certificate of Occupancy, Letter of Completion & Final Sign-Off

Finishing the physical work does not automatically close a DOB project. Final inspections, required certifications and agency sign-offs still have to be completed.

For DOB NOW jobs, the owner or applicant can request a Letter of Completion after required documents, inspections and permit sign-offs are complete. For certain older BIS jobs, DOB uses a different closeout process.

Brooklyn Certificate of Occupancy Unit: (718) 802-3680.

Official DOB Letter of Completion and Letter of No Objection guidance

Building Codes That Apply in Brooklyn

Brooklyn construction is regulated under New York City requirements rather than a separate Brooklyn building code. NYC DOB currently publishes the 2022 NYC Construction Codes, including the Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, along with General Administrative Provisions.

Projects can also be affected by the NYC Energy Conservation Code, Electrical Code, Existing Building Code, Zoning Resolution, DOB rules, Local Laws and project-specific requirements.

NYC DOB Codes

Brooklyn DOB Violations, Stop Work Orders & Complaints

If you are buying, renovating or managing a Brooklyn property, review existing DOB records before starting a project. Open violations, Stop Work Orders or unresolved filings can affect construction and closeout.

To check existing violations

Search BIS and the DOB NOW Public Portal using the property address. Read the violation status and associated job information rather than relying only on a contractor’s statement that an issue was resolved.

To report illegal or unsafe construction

NYC DOB directs the public to 311 for complaints about illegal or unsafe construction and improper building use. After submitting a complaint, keep the Service Request number so you can track its status.

Official DOB Complaint Instructions

Work Without a Permit

DOB can issue violations and a Stop Work Order where required permits are missing. If an SWO is issued, obtaining a permit alone may not automatically authorize work to resume; applicable DOB requirements for rescission must also be completed.

Best Order of Operations for a Brooklyn Property Owner

If you are unsure where to begin, follow this sequence:

1. Search the property in BIS and DOB NOW.
2. Confirm legal use and look for open violations or active permits.
3. Define the complete project scope before getting contractor prices.
4. Ask an RA or PE whether DOB plans and approval are required.
5. Verify licenses for anyone performing regulated work.
6. Complete required filings and approvals.
7. Do not start permit-required work before the required work permit is issued.
8. Schedule inspections at the correct construction stages.
9. Resolve inspection objections promptly.
10. Finish the DOB closeout instead of leaving the permit open after construction ends.

Brooklyn Building Department FAQs

Bottom Line

For a Brooklyn construction project in 2026, think NYC DOB, not a separate Brooklyn municipal building department. Check the property first, confirm whether the work needs professional plans or permits, file through the correct DOB system, obtain the work permit before regulated construction begins, schedule required inspections and complete final sign-off. Most information can be checked online; the Brooklyn Borough Office is most useful when you need local DOB assistance with a specific property, permit, inspection, violation or Certificate of Occupancy issue.