DOB’s new website. Image Credit: NYC DOB.
The new website helps organize the agency’s various resources for New Yorkers. On August 10, 2021, the Department of Buildings launched its redesigned website, which organizes the agency’s online resources into a more intuitive site. The website was last overhauled in 2016.
The updated website features a new homepage with quick links directed to heavily trafficked pages and reorganized sections dedicated to tenants, property and business owners and industry professionals. The DOB website offers information on service notices, policy updates, procedural information, buildings-related data, agency guidance, and Code updates. Interactive tools including a Building Profiles map and an after-hours construction tool provide information and transparency about construction projects around the City. The redesigned website helps organize all of these resources and more and makes them more accessible for all New Yorkers.
The website relaunch precedes the agency’s change to new license and registration applications. Starting Tuesday, September 7, 2021, applications for licenses and registrations issued through the Department of Buildings now need to be submitted online with an eFiling account and going through DOB NOW, the agency’s online portal to submit filings, payments and requests. The impacted licenses and registrations include: concrete safety manager, concrete test laboratory, construction superintendent, contractor, electrician, elevator agency directors/inspectors, filing representative, high pressure boiler operating engineer, hoisting machine operator, master fire suppression piping contractor, master plumber, rigger, oil burner equipment installer, sign hanger, site safety coordinator/manager, special inspection agency, and tower crane rigger.
While discussing the new website, DOB Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca stated, “By arming the public with information, our new website is leveraging the organizational strength of the Department of Buildings as a resource for all New Yorkers. I want to acknowledge the dedication of my colleagues here at DOB who have contributed to this important effort. Thanks to their work, whether you are a construction professional, business owner, landlord or tenant, it’s now easier than ever to get the information you need to start your next project.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)