DOB NOW: Safety Facade Frequently Asked Questions

View questions related to: General, Browser, Software, and Security, Registration in eFiling, User Permission: QEWI, User Permission: Owner & Owner Representative, Electronic Signature and Seal and Payment.

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General

How can I check the status of a façade compliance filing in DOB NOW: Safety?

Once you log into DOB NOW: Safety, the main dashboard will open displaying a listing of all your façade compliance filings. In the main dashboard, navigate to the status field to view the current status of a filing.

Will I be notified of a status change of a façade compliance filing or request in DOB NOW: Safety?

Email notifications will be sent throughout the process to the Owner, Owner Representative, and QEWI associated with the façade compliance filing or request.

Will all façade compliance filings and requests be submitted electronically?

Yes. All façade compliance filings and requests may only be submitted electronically through DOB NOW: Safety.

How do I submit supporting documents including plans and photos? Can I submit physical copies in the Borough Office?

Supporting documents may only be submitted electronically, as a PDF or JPEG file, in DOB NOW: Safety. The file size limit is 250MB.

Where do I find the façade code, rules, and regulations?

All code and rules and façade code and rule are available on the Department of Buildings website.

If I am a Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, or a QEWI and I notice an unsafe facade condition on a building over six stories in height, how do I notify the Department of Buildings?

Please call 311 and submit a Notification of UNSAFE Façade, FISP – 3, in DOB NOW: Safety.

Can anyone report an unsafe façade condition to the Department of Buildings? If so, who is able to, and how?

Anyone can call 311 at any time whenever they see or suspect an unsafe condition in any building. Only a Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, or a QEWI may submit a Notification of UNSAFE Façade, FISP – 3, in DOB NOW: Safety.

If I report an unsafe façade condition, or make a complaint, will the Department of Buildings inspect the building?

Yes, the Department of Buildings will inspect all reports of an unsafe façade condition.

How do I know which façade compliance sub-cycle I am in?

You can log into DOB NOW: Safety to view cycle and sub-cycle information of a building by using the search function. In addition, you can go to the Department of Buildings website for additional information on facade compliance cycles.

Where can I find information on violations and penalties pertaining to façade compliance filings?

All façade compliance filing fees, violations, and civil penalty information can be found in the Application Highlights under the Fee section.

Where can I access historical data on a building or a façade compliance filing?

All façade compliance filing information that is currently available in BIS from cycle six to present will be available in DOB NOW: Safety. All information prior to cycle six can be found in BIS. Requests for reports submitted to the Department prior to August 31, 2016 will need to be requested at the façade customer service window on the 4th floor of 280 Broadway and pay for copies.

How do I view additional detail on a DOB violation?

All DOB violation information is posted on the property profile in BIS.

Will façade compliance filings that were in BIS be available in DOB NOW: Safety?

All façade compliance filing information from cycle six to present will be available in DOB NOW: Safety. All façade compliance filing information from previous cycles will be available in BIS.

Will my active BIS compliance filings appear in DOB NOW: Safety?

All façade compliance filing information from cycle six to present will be accessible in DOB NOW: Safety. All façade compliance filing information from previous cycles will be available in BIS.

Can I export the submitted TR6 as a PDF?

Yes. After the QEWI has submitted the façade compliance filing, click on the TR6 Report icon in the top right corner of the screen to display a PDF version of the submitted filing.

Browser, Software, and Security – Frequently Asked Questions

What Internet browsers can I use to access DOB NOW: Safety?

DOB NOW: Safety can be accessed with Google Chrome or Internet Explorer 9 and above.

Do I need any special software to access DOB NOW: Safety?

No, you do not need any special software to access DOB NOW: Safety. You will need access to an internet enabled computer (PC) with Google Chrome or Internet Explorer 9 and above.

Registration in eFiling

Do I need to be registered in eFiling to log into DOB NOW: Safety?

Yes, you must be registered in eFiling to log into DOB NOW: Safety.

Who must register in eFiling to use DOB NOW: Safety?

Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWI) must register in eFiling as a NYS Professional Engineer or NYS Registered Architect in order to be able to submit jobs in DOB NOW: Safety. Owners and Owner Representatives must register in eFiling as a preparer to be able to input and review information in DOB NOW: Safety.

How do I register in eFiling?

You need an eFiling account to use DOB NOW: Build or Safety. To register for eFiling, go to the eFiling Registration page. For more information about how to register, visit: www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips. Once your eFiling account is activated, use your eFiling email address and password to log into DOB NOW: Build or DOB NOW: Safety at www.nyc.gov/dobnow.

Do I need to change my role in eFiling?

If you are a Design Professional but you are registered as a preparer in eFiling, you must change your role in order to submit compliance filings in DOB NOW: Safety.

How can I change my role in eFiling?

To change your role, you must log in to the eFiling website and go to the “Manage your account” section. You will be asked to provide your license information and business name and then re-print your updated Authentication Form and submit it.

How long will it take for my registration in eFiling to take effect?

Owners and Owner Representatives - The eFiling system is updated every night. Once you submit your information through the registration portal, your registration in eFiling will take effect the next day.

Design Professionals and QEWI - after the Authentication Form is received by DOB, it takes 24-48 hours to review. Once DOB completes this review and activates the eFiling account, users will receive an automatically generated email that confirms their registration. If a QEWI, once registered in eFiling, you must contact the DOB Façades Unit at façades@buildings.nyc.gov to be granted access to DOB NOW: Safety, it takes 24-48 hours.

I’m already registered, how do I check my role in eFiling?

If you are already registered for eFiling, you must log in to your account to see if you are registered as a Design Professional or a preparer.

  • When registered as a Design Professional, you will see the following under your license:
    • Registered architect: RA followed by license number (for example RA00999)
    • Professional engineer: PE followed by license number (for example PE 00999)

  • When registered as a preparer (either an owner or owner representative) you will see the following in the licensing column:
    • PR followed by a six digit number (for example PR000999)

*Note: If you see a P1 in your status, then you must complete the final step of the authentication process by clicking on the “one more step/click here link” sent automatically by email during the registration process. If you don’t have that email, you can log in to eFiling and click the link on the main page to resend the email.*

How do I change my address in eFiling?

Owners and Owner Representatives:

  • Log into eFiling
  • Click Manage Your Account
  • Click Show
  • Click Manage Account
  • Update your information
  • Click Submit

Your updated name or address will take effect in eFiling immediately. The applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the new information to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

Licensees and General Contractors:

  1. Update your address with the DOB Licensing Unit, following the process for a licensee.
  2. After you have updated your address with the DOB Licensing unit, login to eFiling
  3. Click Manage Your Account
  4. Click Show
  5. Click Manage Account
  6. Update your mailing address
  7. Click Submit
  8. Print, sign, date, notarize or seal the Authentication form and mail or hand deliver it to:

NYC Department of Buildings
eFiling Authentication
280 Broadway, 1st floor
New York, NY 10007

After the Authentication Form is received by DOB, it will take up to 4 days for your account to be activated. The applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the new information to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

Design Professionals:

  • Log into eFiling
  • Click Manage Your Account
  • Click Show
  • Click Manage Account
  • Update your information
  • Click Submit
  • Print, sign, date, and seal the Authentication form
  • Send the form by postal mail with a copy of your state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, to the below address or hand deliver it (bring your state-issued ID and/or DOB ID card, a representative cannot deliver it) to:

NYC Department of Buildings
eFiling Authentication
280 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007

After the Authentication Form is received by DOB, it will take up to 4 days for your account to be activated. The applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the new information to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

I’m a registered QEWI but do not have an eFiling account. How do gain access to DOB NOW: Safety?

If you are a QEWI and do not have an active eFiling account, you must register in eFiling as a NYS Professional Engineer (PE) or NYS Registered Architect (RA) in order to be able to submit façades compliance filings in DOB NOW: Safety. Once registered in eFiling, you must contact the DOB Façades Unit at façades@buildings.nyc.gov to be granted access to DOB NOW: Safety.

User Permission: QEWI

As a QEWI will I be able to see all of the façade compliance filings I have previously filed in DOB NOW: Safety?

All façade compliance filing information that is currently available in BIS from cycle six to present will be available in DOB NOW: Safety. All information prior to cycle six can be found in BIS. All façade compliance filings submitted in DOB NOW: Safety will be viewable from the main dashboard.

User Permission: Owner & Owner Representative

As an Owner or Owner Representative, what information can I enter and access in DOB NOW: Safety?

Owners can enter Owner and Owner Representative information, pay filing fees, submit a Height Verification Request, request a new Control Number for a building, and request to change the sub-cycle currently assigned to one or more buildings in DOB NOW: Safety. Owners and Owner Representatives can also view all information that are part of a filing associated with their building.

As an Owner or Owner Representative, how do I sign a filing?

As an Owner or Owner Representative, after reviewing the filing, you electronically sign in the owner’s statement section of the filing or request.

As an Owner or Owner Representative, how will I know what my control number is?

Once you log into DOB NOW: Safety, all filings and requests that you are associated with will be accessible on the main dashboard. From this dashboard you will be able to access the corresponding control number.

As a QEWI or an Owner Representative where do I provide the Owner’s contact information?

You must enter the Owner’s contact information in the Owner’s Information section of the filing.

Electronic Signature and Seal

As a QEWI, how do I sign and seal my filing in DOB NOW: Safety?

QEWIs must electronically sign in DOB NOW: Safety. Electronic signatures are completed in the Applicant Statement section of the filing. In addition, QEWIs must physically sign and seal the Design Professional/Licensee Seal and Signature form (DPL-1 Form) and upload the completed document to the associated required item in DOB NOW: Safety.

How do I provide my signature and seal electronically in DOB NOW: Safety?

QEWIs must upload the completed Design Professional/Licensee Seal and Signature form (DPL-1 Form) in the supporting documents section of DOB NOW: Safety.

What are the safeguards against someone using my seal and signature in DOB NOW: Safety?

Only the QEWI may upload the completed Design Professional/Licensee Seal and Signature form (DPL-1 Form). This submitted form is validated to the licensee registration information.

As a QEWI will I be able to see if the Owner or Owner Representative has provided their electronic signature?

Yes. The QEWI will be able to see that the Owner or Owner Representative has electronically signed in the Owner’s Statement section of the filing.

How will the Owner or Owner Representative know to log in and provide their electronic signature?

Once the QEWI has entered all the information on the filing, the QEWI will be responsible for notifying the Owner or Owner Representative to log in to review the filing and provide their electronic signature.

Payment

How do I pay online through DOB NOW: Safety?

When you are ready to pay, click the Pay Now button under the Fees section in DOB NOW: Safety and you will be directed to the City’s online payment portal.

What payment methods can I use to make my payment?

An eCheck, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit and debit cards may be used to pay in the payment portal. If you pay with a credit or debit card, a 2% service charge will be added to your total payment amount. Payments made by eCheck take up to 10 business days to be processed in DOB NOW. There is no fee for eCheck payments.

What is an eCheck and how do I use it?

An eCheck is an electronic payment using your checking account. Just like with a paper check, the funds will be withdrawn from your checking account. If you choose to pay with an eCheck, you will be asked to enter your check routing and account number. Your routing number is the 9 digit number on the bottom of your check. Your account number is your checking account number, which is usually 10-12 digits.

Can I still make payments in person at a borough office?

No. When you file a job in DOB NOW: Safety, you will make all payments online.

Who can make a payment in DOB NOW: Safety?

Anyone who is associated with a job can make a payment on that job. Owners, QEWIs, and Owner Representatives can make payments in DOB NOW: Safety.

Can I submit a compliance filing before paying?

You will not be able to submit a compliance filing until you have paid.

How do I estimate the fees for my compliance filing?

When you input relevant information for an individual compliance filing, DOB NOW: Safety will automatically calculate the fees for your filing. If you make a correction to your previously submitted compliance filing that changes the filing information, DOB NOW: Safety will automatically adjust all fees in accordance with DOB rules and regulations.

Can I make a partial payment?

Partial payments are not allowed. You must pay the full amount to submit your compliance filing.

I am making a credit card payment and I clicked on the back button on the Payment Method screen. The system took me to eCheck payment details on the Enter Payment Details page instead of the credit card details. What should I do?

Re-click on the credit card tab on the Enter Payment Details page to continue with a credit card payment.

On the Enter Payment Details page, I received the error message, “Invalid input: Billing – ADDRESS. Payment not processed. Please try again later.” What did I enter wrong?

You cannot enter special characters like # in any of the fields. Remove the special character(s) and continue to the next screen.

My payment has timed out, and I clicked on the link to return to the payment page. However, it took me to the CityPay site. How do I get back to the payment screen?

Go to the filing in DOB NOW and click on the Pay Now button again to continue with making a payment.

I tried to make a payment but the system displays “There was an error processing your payment. Please try again later.”?

The system was unable to process the payment. There may be a connectivity issue between CityPay and the bank. Wait a moment and then go through the process again to proceed with payment.