How to find a Certificate of Occupancy in NYC

Start with the building address and search the appropriate DOB system. A missing online result is a reason to investigate, not proof that a building is illegal or that every existing use is permitted.

Where to search: BIS and DOB NOW

DOB's Certificate of Occupancy guidance directs searches for requests before March 1, 2021 to BIS. Open the property profile and select View Certificates of Occupancy. For requests on or after that date, use the address search in DOB NOW and select Certificate of Occupancy to view the certificate details and floor-use records.

What does the certificate tell you?

A Certificate of Occupancy identifies a building's legal use or permitted occupancy. A final CO has no expiration date; a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy has an expiration date. A Letter of Completion for minor work is not the same document as a new or amended CO.

What if an older house has no CO?

DOB explains that pre-1938 buildings generally do not need a CO unless later alterations changed use, egress, or occupancy. Where an exemption applies, a Letter of No Objection may help establish legal use. Ask DOB about the specific building rather than relying on its age alone.

Our document-review checklist

Save the document you actually reviewed, then make a short comparison sheet:

• Identity: does the address match the property you are researching?
• Document: record the title, issue date, and any expiration date shown.
• Scope: note the floors or areas described instead of assuming a reference covers the entire building.
• Question: write down any difference between the document and the layout or use you were told about.
• Follow-up: keep the name of the professional or agency contact helping resolve that difference.

For example, if a sales description calls a home a three-family building but the document you opened appears to describe two units, do not silently choose one. Retain both references and ask a qualified architect, engineer, or attorney to review the discrepancy. This is an illustrative comparison, not a legal determination about a property.

Keep occupancy and violation checks separate

Your file will be clearer if you label each question separately: occupancy documentation, permit history, and outstanding findings. Our DOB violation lookup guide explains the related records search.

Keep the record trail organized

NYC Property Watch organizes available property records and documents alongside supported monitoring results. It does not certify a building's legal occupancy. Keep official documents and professional advice as your reference when buying, renovating, or changing a building's use. Explore the records covered by the app.