ACRIS · DOB · MapPLUTO · DCP · Tax Records

NYC property records —
every source, explained.

ACRIS deeds and mortgages, DOB permits and violations, MapPLUTO lot data, and DCP zoning context — what each source covers, where it lives, and how PropScope consolidates them into a single property dossier for every NYC tax lot.

Access all records → Explore the sources
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Primary data sources

NYC's five essential property record sources

Every PropScope property dossier draws from these public databases. Here's exactly what each one covers — and where its limits are.

ACRIS — City Register NYC Department of Finance · acris.nyc.gov

The Automated City Register Information System holds all land instruments recorded against properties in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. It is the definitive source for ownership and financing history.

  • Deed transfers — owner names, transfer dates, recorded prices
  • Mortgages — lender, amount, origination and maturity dates
  • Mortgage satisfactions and releases
  • Assignments, consolidations, and other instruments
  • UCC filings and mechanic's liens where recorded
Not covered: Staten Island (uses County Clerk), off-record agreements, unrecorded assignments, or title search certification.
Search ACRIS →
DOB Building Information System NYC Dept. of Buildings · a810-bisweb.nyc.gov

The Department of Buildings BIS is the public portal for all construction and occupancy activity on NYC properties — permits, violations, job filings, certificates of occupancy, and inspection records.

  • Building permits — filed, approved, and completed work
  • Job filings — Alt-1, Alt-2, NB (new building) applications
  • Violations — active, resolved, dismissed, with fine amounts
  • Certificate of Occupancy records
  • Inspection scheduling and outcome records
Not covered: Pre-digital permit history (some pre-1990 records are incomplete), DOT or DEP permits, or zoning compliance opinions.
Search DOB BIS →
MapPLUTO NYC Dept. of City Planning · nyc.gov/dcp

MapPLUTO is the DCP's comprehensive GIS dataset combining tax lot attributes, building characteristics, and geographic data for every parcel in New York City. Updated multiple times per year, it is the primary source for parcel-level property attributes.

  • Lot dimensions — area, frontage, depth, shape
  • Zoning district designation and overlay districts
  • Land use classification and building class
  • Maximum FAR and residential FAR by district
  • Assessed value, tax class, and tax lot ID (BBL)
  • Owner name and mailing address from tax records
  • Year built, number of floors, and total floor area
Not covered: Real-time changes, pending zoning applications, or RPAD corrections not yet reflected in the current release.
Download MapPLUTO →
DCP Zoning (ZoLa) NYC Dept. of City Planning · zola.planning.nyc.gov

The DCP Zoning and Land Use Application (ZoLa) is the city's official zoning map and text portal. It provides the authoritative source for zoning district rules, bulk regulations, use groups, and special district requirements.

  • Zoning district text and use group regulations
  • Bulk regulations — height, setbacks, yards, FAR by use
  • Special purpose and overlay district rules
  • City of Yes amendment applicability by district
  • Pending and recently approved zoning map amendments
Not covered: BSA variances and special permits (separate portal), DOB interpretations, or Board of Standards and Appeals decisions.
Open ZoLa →
NYC Finance Tax Records NYC Dept. of Finance · nycprop.nyc.gov

The NYC Department of Finance maintains property tax assessment and billing records accessible through their public property search portal. These records provide assessed value history, tax class, and available payment status signals.

  • Assessed and market value by tax year
  • Tax class classification (1, 2, 3, 4)
  • Exemptions and abatements (421-a, J-51, etc.)
  • Available delinquency and lien patterns
Not covered: Real-time payment status, complete lien history (DOF lien sale data is separate), or confidential taxpayer information.
Search tax records →
How PropScope unifies these One click → all sources

Instead of opening five tabs and cross-referencing BBLs manually, PropScope consolidates all five sources into a single property dossier — searchable by address or parcel click on the map.

  • ✓ACRIS deed & mortgage history
  • ✓DOB permits, violations & job filings
  • ✓MapPLUTO lot attributes & FAR
  • ✓DCP zoning context & City of Yes signals
  • ~Tax signals (partial coverage noted)
Start free →
Coverage comparison

What each source covers at a glance

Record type ACRIS DOB BIS MapPLUTO DCP / ZoLa NYC Finance
Deed ownership history✓✗Owner name only✗✗
Recorded mortgages✓✗✗✗✗
Building permits✗✓✗✗✗
Violations & inspections✗✓✗✗✗
Lot dimensions & FAR✗✗✓Rules only✗
Zoning district rules✗✗District name✓✗
City of Yes signals✗✗Zone input✓✗
Assessed value✗✗✓✗✓
Tax delinquency signals✗✗✗✗Partial
FAQ

NYC property records — common questions

What is ACRIS in NYC real estate?

ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System) is the NYC Department of Finance's online database of recorded land documents — deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and other instruments recorded in the City Register for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. Staten Island uses a separate County Clerk system.

What is the NYC DOB Building Information System?

The NYC DOB Building Information System (BIS) is the public portal for building permit records, job filings, certificate of occupancy information, and violation records. It is searchable by address or BIN. PropScope uses DOB data to surface permit history, open violations, job filing status, and inspection records inside every property dossier.

What is MapPLUTO?

MapPLUTO is a GIS dataset from the NYC Department of City Planning that combines tax lot attributes, building characteristics, and geographic data for every parcel in New York City — including lot dimensions, zoning district, land use, FAR, building class, assessed value, and owner information from tax records.

How do I look up NYC property records by BBL?

Use ACRIS (acris.nyc.gov) for deed and mortgage records, the DOB BIS (a810-bisweb.nyc.gov) for permits and violations, NYC Finance for tax information, and ZoLa (zola.planning.nyc.gov) for zoning context. PropScope consolidates all of these sources into a single parcel click on its interactive NYC map.

What NYC property records are public?

Publicly available NYC property records include: recorded deeds and mortgages (ACRIS), building permits and job filings (DOB BIS), violation records (DOB BIS), tax lot attributes and zoning (MapPLUTO / DCP), assessed values (NYC Finance), certificate of occupancy records (DOB), and zoning text and maps (DCP). All are free to access through official NYC government portals.

What is the difference between ACRIS and DOB records?

ACRIS records cover legal and financial instruments recorded against a property — deeds, mortgages, and assignments. DOB records cover the physical development activity — permits, violations, job filings, and certificates of occupancy. Together they give a picture of both ownership history and physical development history. MapPLUTO adds the current physical and zoning attributes of the lot itself.

All five NYC record sources in one click.

ACRIS deeds, DOB permits and violations, MapPLUTO attributes, DCP zoning, and tax signals — consolidated into a single property dossier for every NYC BBL. Start free today.

Start free See the full dossier →