What Is NYC DOB NOW?
DOB NOW—the Department of Buildings Networked Online Work system—is the New York City Department of Buildings' digital platform for permit applications, inspection filings, compliance documentation, and project closeout. Launched as part of the DOB's modernization initiative, DOB NOW has replaced paper-based processes across virtually all DOB transactions.
For construction projects requiring special inspections, DOB NOW is not optional—it is the exclusive channel through which special inspection agencies designate their scope, file reports, and certify project completion. Understanding how DOB NOW works is essential for every architect, engineer, contractor, and building owner involved in NYC construction.
How DOB NOW Affects Special Inspections
Special inspections under NYSE Building Code Chapter 17 are entirely managed through DOB NOW from project inception to closeout. The process follows a defined sequence:
1. TR1 Designation (Before Construction Begins)
The TR1 is the Statement of Special Inspections—the form that formally designates a Registered Special Inspection Agency for a project and identifies all required inspection categories. Before any structural work governed by Chapter 17 can begin, the TR1 must be filed through DOB NOW.
The TR1 identifies:
- The Registered Special Inspection Agency and its DOB-assigned director
- All inspection categories covered (structural steel, concrete, masonry, anchors, etc.)
- The project address and DOB job number
- The licensed design professional of record
Filing the TR1 is typically coordinated between the special inspection agency and the project architect or engineer of record. The agency requires the approved construction documents to determine the appropriate inspection categories.
2. Inspection Activity During Construction
Once the TR1 is filed and the project is underway, the special inspection agency conducts inspections as work progresses. Inspectors issue reports for each site visit, documenting:
- Work observed and its compliance status
- Tests performed and results
- Any non-conforming conditions and how they were resolved
- The inspector's certification that work observed meets code requirements
These reports are maintained by the agency and must be available for DOB review upon request.
3. Progress Inspections Through DOB NOW
Certain inspection milestones—called progress inspections—must be filed directly through DOB NOW during construction. These progress inspections, governed by NYC Building Code §BC 110.3, include major project milestones such as:
- Footing and foundation: Before concrete is placed
- Frame inspection: After structural framing is complete
- Fire-resistance rated construction: Before concealment
- Energy code compliance (TR8): Material testing coordination
- Public assembly emergency lighting: For applicable occupancies
- Final inspection: Before issuance of Certificate of Occupancy
Each progress inspection must be reported in DOB NOW when completed. Unfiled progress inspections prevent project closeout.
4. TR8 Material Testing Coordination
The TR8 is the material testing report associated with energy code compliance and structural material verification. TR8 requirements are coordinated through the special inspection program and must be filed through DOB NOW.
TR8 filings confirm that materials used in the project—concrete, masonry, steel—met the specified properties and were tested in accordance with applicable standards.
5. TR1 Final Certification (Project Closeout)
When all required special inspections are complete and any deficiencies have been resolved, the special inspection agency's director certifies the TR1 in DOB NOW. This certification states that:
- All special inspections required by the Statement of Special Inspections were performed
- All observed work was found to comply with approved construction documents and applicable code requirements
- All non-conforming conditions were identified and resolved
The certified TR1 is a required document for the DOB to issue a Letter of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy. Without it, the project cannot be closed out.
Common DOB NOW Issues for Special Inspections
Agency Not Properly Registered
The Registered Special Inspection Agency must be properly registered in DOB NOW before it can file a TR1. If the agency has not completed registration or if the agency's director is not linked in the system, TR1 filing will fail. Working with an experienced agency that is fully registered in DOB NOW avoids this issue.
TR1 Filed After Construction Starts
The TR1 must be filed before the construction activities it covers begin. Filing after the fact can create complications during plan examination and may require additional documentation to address inspections that occurred without a filed TR1.
Missing Progress Inspection Filings
Each required progress inspection milestone must be filed in DOB NOW as it is completed. A common source of project delay at closeout is discovering that one or more progress inspection milestones were not recorded in the system during construction. Maintaining a progress inspection log throughout the project prevents this problem.
Open Non-Conformance Items
If the inspection record contains unresolved non-conforming conditions, the TR1 cannot be certified. All deficiencies must be addressed, re-inspected, and documented before final certification.
How the DOB NOW System Works for Contractors and Owners
Contractors and building owners do not typically operate within DOB NOW directly for special inspection functions—the Registered Special Inspection Agency manages filings on their behalf. However, understanding the process helps project teams:
- Coordinate TR1 filing early: Engage the special inspection agency before you need inspections, not when work is already underway
- Provide the job number: The DOB job number assigned during permit filing is needed for TR1 linkage
- Communicate scope changes: If the project scope changes—new structural work is added, or materials change—the TR1 may need to be amended
- Check progress inspection status: At key project milestones, confirm with the special inspection agency that required progress inspection filings are current
- Plan for closeout: Closeout requires the certified TR1, TR8, and all progress inspections to be complete in DOB NOW. Build adequate time into the project schedule for this process.
Special Inspections in DOB NOW Build vs. DOB NOW Safety
The DOB NOW system is divided into functional modules. Special inspection filings are handled primarily through DOB NOW: Build, which manages permits, inspection schedules, and project compliance. DOB NOW: Safety handles complaints, inspections by DOB inspectors, and enforcement actions—a separate function from the special inspection program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create a DOB NOW account?
The Registered Special Inspection Agency manages DOB NOW filings for the special inspection program. You do not need your own DOB NOW access, though owners and design professionals may create accounts to monitor filing status.
How long does TR1 filing take?
Filing the TR1 is generally straightforward once the agency has the required project information. Processing is typically immediate, though the agency needs the approved construction documents and DOB job number to file properly.
What if inspection categories change during the project?
If the project scope changes and new inspection categories become required, the TR1 must be amended through DOB NOW to reflect the expanded scope.
Can we get a Certificate of Occupancy without the certified TR1?
No. The certified TR1 is a required document for project closeout. A project cannot receive a Letter of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy until the TR1 is fully certified.
How do I know if my special inspections are current in DOB NOW?
Coordinate with your Registered Special Inspection Agency to get periodic status updates on TR1 filing and progress inspection completions. Experienced agencies proactively communicate closeout readiness to their clients.
