All topics / Infrastructure and Sustainability
Department of Buildings
New York City has regulated construction since Dutch colonial rule, but rapid population growth and new building technologies led the City to establish a Department of Buildings in 1866, giving it an application-and-review process for new construction and alterations. Today DOB is the primary regulator of the city's construction and real estate industries, overseeing safety and code compliance in nearly 1.1 million buildings across the five boroughs.
What's working
- How many construction-related injuries are there?: 231 injuries — decreasing after DOB tightened worker safety training and site-oversight rules
- How long does it take to respond to Priority B (nonemergency) complaints?: 17.6 days — increasing, driven by budget constraints in the elevator unit; still within target
- How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for new building applications through DOB NOW?: 9.9 days — decreasing overall, though DOB cites complex filings and staffing constraints
- and 6 more below
What's getting worse
- What percent of residential illegal conversion complaints where access was obtained?: 26.9% — decreasing from an unusually high FY22; DOB hasn't explained the swings
- On average, how many days pass between construction inspection request and inspection?: 5.4 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
- On average, how many days pass between electrical inspection request and inspection?: 12.8 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
- and 9 more below
Critical indicators
With a numeric target
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for major renovation (Alteration I) initial applications, filed through DOB's legacy system?
20.1 daysMisses target by 10.1 days
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for major renovation (Alteration I) initial applications, filed through DOB's legacy system?
20.1 daysMisses target by 10.1 days
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 18.7 days | 10 days |
| FY23 | 16.1 days | 10 days |
| FY24 | 15 days | 10 days |
| FY25 | 20.1 days | 10 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 10 days |
20.1 days in FY25 — missed the City's own target for this indicator (10.1 days above the 10 days target), though it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How long does it take to respond to Priority A (emergency) complaints?
0.3 daysBeats target by 0.7 days
How long does it take to respond to Priority A (emergency) complaints?
0.3 daysBeats target by 0.7 days
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 0.2 days | 1 day |
| FY23 | 0.2 days | 1 day |
| FY24 | 0.3 days | 1 day |
| FY25 | 0.3 days | 1 day |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 1 day |
0.3 days in FY25 — met the City's own target for this indicator (0.7 days below the 1 day target), though it has trended in the wrong direction over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
How long does it take to respond to Priority B (nonemergency) complaints?
17.6 days — increasing, driven by budget constraints in the elevator unit; still within targetBeats target by 22.4 days
How long does it take to respond to Priority B (nonemergency) complaints?
17.6 days — increasing, driven by budget constraints in the elevator unit; still within targetBeats target by 22.4 days
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 10.4 days | 40 days |
| FY23 | 10.8 days | 40 days |
| FY24 | 12.9 days | 40 days |
| FY25 | 17.6 days | 40 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 40 days |
DOB says the growing wait for non-emergency complaint responses is driven mainly by its elevator inspection unit, which the agency describes as squeezed by ongoing budget constraints and reduced staffing. Even with the increase, response times have stayed well inside the city's 40-day target.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, DOB, Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
What percent of violations admitted to or upheld at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings?
81.5%Beats target by 1.5%
What percent of violations admitted to or upheld at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings?
81.5%Beats target by 1.5%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 77.5% | 80% |
| FY23 | 79.8% | 80% |
| FY24 | 81.2% | 80% |
| FY25 | 81.5% | 80% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 80% |
81.5% in FY25 — met the City's own target for this indicator (1.5% above the 80% target), and it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
What percent of residential illegal conversion complaints where access was obtained?
26.9% — decreasing from an unusually high FY22; DOB hasn't explained the swingsMisses target by 17.1%
What percent of residential illegal conversion complaints where access was obtained?
26.9% — decreasing from an unusually high FY22; DOB hasn't explained the swingsMisses target by 17.1%
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 41.4% | 44% |
| FY23 | 30.9% | 44% |
| FY24 | 29.7% | 44% |
| FY25 | 26.9% | 44% |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available | 44% |
Inspectors investigating suspected illegal apartment conversions are frequently turned away or simply can't reach anyone at the door, and DOB's own case data shows this access rate has hovered in the roughly high-20s to low-30s percent range for most of the past decade. Fiscal 2022's 41.4 percent appears to have been an unusually high year that the rate has since fallen back from; DOB has not published a specific explanation for the year-to-year swings.
Researched July 15, 2026 — CBS News New York, "Data reveals Department of Buildings' struggle to inspect illegally converted homes" (June 2023), NYC Comptroller, Audit Report on the Queens Quality of Life Unit of the Department of Buildings
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
Without a numeric target
How many construction-related injuries are there?
231 injuries — decreasing after DOB tightened worker safety training and site-oversight rules
How many construction-related injuries are there?
231 injuries — decreasing after DOB tightened worker safety training and site-oversight rules
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above. The dashed marker projects a full-year estimate at the current year-to-date pace.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 487 injuries |
| FY23 | 658 injuries |
| FY24 | 625 injuries |
| FY25 | 363 injuries |
| FY26 (YTD) | 231 injuries |
| FY26 (projected) | ~308 injuries |
Injuries rose through fiscal 2023 alongside a construction boom, then fell sharply as DOB rolled out new safety measures: stricter enforcement of Local Law 196's mandatory 40-hour worker safety training, and a Calendar 2024 rule cutting the number of sites one construction superintendent can oversee from five to three. DOB reports these efforts helped cut injuries by 42 percent from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2025, with the decline continuing into fiscal 2026.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Mayor's Office, "Mayor Adams and DOB Commissioner Oddo Release Annual Construction Safety Report" (Apr. 25, 2025)
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
How many construction-related fatalities are there?
6 fatalities
How many construction-related fatalities are there?
6 fatalities
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above. The dashed marker projects a full-year estimate at the current year-to-date pace.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 6 fatalities |
| FY23 | 8 fatalities |
| FY24 | 7 fatalities |
| FY25 | 8 fatalities |
| FY26 (YTD) | 6 fatalities |
| FY26 (projected) | ~8 fatalities |
6 fatalities in FY26 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended in the wrong direction over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
On average, what is the customer in-person transaction time?
7 min
On average, what is the customer in-person transaction time?
7 min
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 5 min |
| FY23 | 6 min |
| FY24 | 6 min |
| FY25 | 7 min |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
7 min in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended in the wrong direction over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
On average, how many days pass between construction inspection request and inspection?
5.4 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
On average, how many days pass between construction inspection request and inspection?
5.4 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 1.2 days |
| FY23 | 1.5 days |
| FY24 | 4.4 days |
| FY25 | 5.4 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
DOB attributes longer waits for construction inspections to ongoing budget constraints and reduced inspector staffing capacity. A 2025 city Comptroller audit similarly found staffing reductions and diversion of staff to training and system changes contributed to slower processing across DOB's development-review functions.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Comptroller, Audit of the New York City Department of Buildings' Enforcement of Building Codes (Apr. 21, 2025)
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
On average, how many days pass between electrical inspection request and inspection?
12.8 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
On average, how many days pass between electrical inspection request and inspection?
12.8 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 2.8 days |
| FY23 | 3.3 days |
| FY24 | 4.6 days |
| FY25 | 12.8 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
DOB attributes longer waits for electrical inspections to ongoing budget constraints and reduced inspector staffing capacity, the same explanation the agency gives for slower inspection turnaround across other trades. A 2025 city Comptroller audit similarly found DOB staffing reductions contributed to slower processing times.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Comptroller, Audit of the New York City Department of Buildings' Enforcement of Building Codes (Apr. 21, 2025)
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
On average, how many days pass between plumbing inspection request and inspection?
5 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
On average, how many days pass between plumbing inspection request and inspection?
5 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to budget constraints and reduced staffing
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 2.4 days |
| FY23 | 2.2 days |
| FY24 | 2.6 days |
| FY25 | 5 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
DOB attributes longer waits for plumbing inspections to ongoing budget constraints and reduced inspector staffing capacity, the same explanation the agency gives for slower inspection turnaround across other trades. A 2025 city Comptroller audit similarly found DOB staffing reductions contributed to slower processing times.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Comptroller, Audit of the New York City Department of Buildings' Enforcement of Building Codes (Apr. 21, 2025)
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for new building applications through DOB NOW?
9.9 days — decreasing overall, though DOB cites complex filings and staffing constraints
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for new building applications through DOB NOW?
9.9 days — decreasing overall, though DOB cites complex filings and staffing constraints
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 7.7 days |
| FY23 | 6.5 days |
| FY24 | 6.5 days |
| FY25 | 6.3 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | 9.9 days |
DOB says extended plan-review times for new buildings reflect a mix of more complex filings, lower-quality initial submissions requiring rework, and resource constraints within its review staff. A 2025 city Comptroller audit found similar staffing reductions and diversion of examiners to training and system updates were slowing plan reviews citywide.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Comptroller, Audit of the New York City Department of Buildings' Enforcement of Building Codes (Apr. 21, 2025)
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for major renovation (Alteration CO) applications through DOB NOW?
8.3 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to complex filings and staffing constraints
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for major renovation (Alteration CO) applications through DOB NOW?
8.3 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to complex filings and staffing constraints
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 5.7 days |
| FY23 | 5 days |
| FY24 | 5.5 days |
| FY25 | 6 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | 8.3 days |
DOB says extended plan-review times for major renovation (alteration) filings reflect a mix of more complex filings, lower-quality initial submissions requiring rework, and resource constraints within its review staff. A 2025 city Comptroller audit found similar staffing reductions and diversion of examiners to training and system updates were slowing plan reviews citywide.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Comptroller, Audit of the New York City Department of Buildings' Enforcement of Building Codes (Apr. 21, 2025)
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for minor renovation applications through DOB NOW?
4.3 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to complex filings and staffing constraints
How many days does it take to complete the first plan review for minor renovation applications through DOB NOW?
4.3 days — increasing, which DOB attributes to complex filings and staffing constraints
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 2.5 days |
| FY23 | 2.2 days |
| FY24 | 2.8 days |
| FY25 | 3.2 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | 4.3 days |
DOB says extended plan-review times for minor renovation (alteration) filings reflect a mix of more complex filings, lower-quality initial submissions requiring rework, and resource constraints within its review staff. A 2025 city Comptroller audit found similar staffing reductions and diversion of examiners to training and system updates were slowing plan reviews citywide.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Mayor's Management Report, NYC Comptroller, Audit of the New York City Department of Buildings' Enforcement of Building Codes (Apr. 21, 2025)
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How many resubmission plan reviews are completed through DOB's legacy system?
7,128 applications — decreasing as DOB migrates filings from its legacy system to DOB NOW
How many resubmission plan reviews are completed through DOB's legacy system?
7,128 applications — decreasing as DOB migrates filings from its legacy system to DOB NOW
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 12,789 applications |
| FY23 | 10,387 applications |
| FY24 | 10,086 applications |
| FY25 | 7,128 applications |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
This decline is a byproduct of DOB's multi-year migration of filings out of its legacy Building Information System (BIS) into the newer DOB NOW portal. As DOB requires most new filings to go through DOB NOW instead, the pool of jobs still in BIS - and therefore the resubmission reviews counted under this older system - has been shrinking each year.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, DOB, Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How many resubmission plan reviews are completed through DOB NOW?
106,759 applications
How many resubmission plan reviews are completed through DOB NOW?
106,759 applications
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 75,128 applications |
| FY23 | 88,252 applications |
| FY24 | 102,342 applications |
| FY25 | 106,759 applications |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
106,759 applications in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended in the wrong direction over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
Beyond enforcing rules after the fact, DOB's plan-review and permitting functions are meant to catch safety and zoning problems before construction even starts, since fixing a badly built structure later is far costlier and more dangerous than reviewing plans up front. The agency describes its goal as striking a balance between safety and development, aggressively enforcing the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, and the state Multiple Dwelling Law to protect workers and the public while still allowing a dense, growing city to build.
NYC Department of Buildings - Building Applications & Permits, NYC Mayor's Management Report - Department of Buildings
How many all development inspections were completed?
190,410 inspections
How many all development inspections were completed?
190,410 inspections
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 188,291 inspections |
| FY23 | 193,791 inspections |
| FY24 | 212,575 inspections |
| FY25 | 190,410 inspections |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
190,410 inspections in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
How many all enforcement inspections were completed?
190,410 inspections
How many all enforcement inspections were completed?
190,410 inspections
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 165,357 inspections |
| FY23 | 180,147 inspections |
| FY24 | 203,715 inspections |
| FY25 | 190,410 inspections |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
190,410 inspections in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
How many stop work orders were issued?
5,976 orders — decreasing, which DOB attributes to rising industry compliance, not less enforcement
How many stop work orders were issued?
5,976 orders — decreasing, which DOB attributes to rising industry compliance, not less enforcement
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above. The dashed marker projects a full-year estimate at the current year-to-date pace.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 9,400 orders |
| FY23 | 7,644 orders |
| FY24 | 5,932 orders |
| FY25 | 6,639 orders |
| FY26 (YTD) | 5,976 orders |
| FY26 (projected) | ~7,968 orders |
DOB attributes the multi-year decline in stop work orders largely to rising industry compliance: even as the agency has conducted more field inspections than ever, it says inspectors have been finding fewer violating conditions serious enough to halt work. DOB's fiscal 2025 report also notes a deliberate shift toward issuing partial rather than full stop work orders so that not all activity on a site is halted unless necessary.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, "Marking Construction Safety Week, DOB Releases Annual Construction Safety Report" (May 6, 2024), DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
How many stop work orders were rescinded?
7,074 orders — decreasing in step with fewer stop work orders being issued overall
How many stop work orders were rescinded?
7,074 orders — decreasing in step with fewer stop work orders being issued overall
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 12,895 orders |
| FY23 | 9,831 orders |
| FY24 | 7,080 orders |
| FY25 | 7,074 orders |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
Rescinded stop work orders track closely with how many are issued in the first place, so this decline largely mirrors the drop in new orders. DOB attributes that drop mainly to rising industry compliance - inspectors finding fewer violating conditions serious enough to halt work, despite conducting more inspections than ever.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOB, "Marking Construction Safety Week, DOB Releases Annual Construction Safety Report" (May 6, 2024), DOB, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.
How many all inspections were completed?
379,691 inspections
How many all inspections were completed?
379,691 inspections
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual |
|---|---|
| FY22 | 353,648 inspections |
| FY23 | 373,838 inspections |
| FY24 | 416,290 inspections |
| FY25 | 379,691 inspections |
| FY26 (YTD) | Not available |
379,691 inspections in FY25 — has no numeric target set by the City, and it has trended toward improvement over the past 3 years of reported data.
Why this is tracked
New York's modern building-safety bureaucracy grew out of tragedy: a "Superintendent of Buildings" post was created in 1860 after the Elm Street fire on the Lower East Side killed 20 people, and the 1901 Tenement House Act created a citywide Buildings Bureau after investigators documented dangerous, overcrowded housing conditions. A unified, citywide Department of Buildings was established in 1936. Today DOB enforces the Building Code and Zoning Resolution across more than a million buildings, issuing permits, licensing trades, and responding to structural emergencies.