The basics
What a CO is and when it’s required.
A CO states a building’s legal use and permitted occupancy. New buildings must have one, and existing buildings must have a current or amended CO when there’s a change in use, egress or occupancy type. No one may legally occupy a building until DOB issues a CO or a Temporary CO (TCO). A CO has no expiration date.
Look it up
Finding the CO online.
| Issued | Where to look | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Before March 1, 2021 | Buildings Information System (BIS) | Search the property, then from the Property Profile Page select View Certificates of Occupancy and print the PDF |
| On or after March 1, 2021 | DOB NOW | Search by address, then from the top of the Property Profile Page select Certificate of Occupancy and use the Print button |
If it’s missing
No CO, or one that doesn’t match the building?
- To get a new or amended CO, submit a Certificate of Occupancy Request in DOB NOW: Build. DOB reviews it and issues the CO once every requirement is met.
- Requirements include final construction, plumbing, elevator and electrical sign-offs, a final survey, the Owner’s Cost Affidavit, and no open applications or violations.
- A pre-1938 building may never have needed a CO. In that case the borough office can issue a Letter of No Objection, unless later alterations changed its use, egress or occupancy.
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Occupancy | Issued for new buildings or major alterations when the completed work matches the approved plans |
| Temporary CO (TCO) | Allows occupancy for a limited time while remaining items are completed |
| Letter of Completion | Issued for minor alterations that don’t require a new or amended CO |
Missing or outdated CO? Call us and we’ll check what DOB still needs before it will issue one.
Call (929) 367-0962Questions
Frequently asked.
Does a CO expire?
No. A Certificate of Occupancy has no expiration date, but it can become outdated if the building’s use or layout changes.
What if my building is older than 1938?
It may not have needed a CO originally. You can ask the borough office for a Letter of No Objection, unless later alterations changed the building’s use, egress or occupancy.
Why can’t DOB issue my CO?
Open applications, open violations, missing sign-offs and unpaid fees all hold it up. A review of the property’s record shows exactly what is outstanding.
Sources
Official sources.
General information about New York City procedures, last reviewed November 2026. Amounts and rules change and every property is different, so this isn’t legal advice. Call us about your specific situation.