DOB NOW: Safety Facade FAQs - Buildings

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Permits & Plan Exam

After Hour Variances

Obtain CO

Required Items

Using DOB NOW

Using eFiling

Using BIS

Inspections & Violations

Industry Code of Conduct


DOB NOW: Safety Façade FAQs

View questions related to: General, Browser, Software, and Security, Registering for an Account, 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 login to 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.

Registering for an Account

How do I create an account for DOB NOW: Safety?

An NYC.ID account Is required to access DOB NOW. Go to nyc.gov/dobnow and select create account. You will be redirected to the NYC.ID registration page to create an account. Use the email address and password you want associated with all your filings in DOB NOW. After an NYC.ID account is created, log in to DOB NOW and create a profile as a non-licensee or licensee. See nyc.gov/dobnowtips for more resources and the NYC.ID New Users Guide (Non-Licensees) or NYC.ID New Users (Licensees) for step-by-step instructions.

Who needs an NYC.ID account to use DOB NOW: Safety?

Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWI) must have an NYC.ID and associate their NYS Professional Engineer or NYS Registered Architect license with their DOB NOW profile to be able to submit jobs in DOB NOW: Safety. Owners and Owner Representatives also need an NYC.ID account to be able to input and review information in DOB NOW: Safety. For more information about how to register, see nyc.gov/dobnowtips and the DOB NOW Account Registration for Owners guide.

How can I change my role in DOB NOW?

To update profile information or associate a license, go to nyc.gov/dobnow . Hover over your profile icon on the main dashboard and select Manage/Associate Licenses. See nyc.gov/dobnowtips for more resources and step-by-step instructions.

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

All changes will be automatically updated upon the next login. The details will be updated on the Contact information in DOB NOW and the existing filings will also be updated. For more information, see Account Management FAQs.

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 NYC ID account, users will receive an automatically generated email that confirms their registration. If a QEWI, once registered in NYC ID, 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.

How do I change my address in DOB NOW?

Updating your mailing address varies depending on your role or license type. See nyc.gov/dobnowtips or the Account Management FAQs for more details.

User Permission: QEWI

How do I request QEWI certification?

After an NYC.ID account is created, login to DOB NOW and create a profile as a Registered Design Professional. To request QEWI certification, send an email to facades@buildings.nyc.gov, and include the following:

your name, phone number and email address you used to create your NYC.ID account

New York State license number

a list of jobs filed in New York City as the applicant on buildings over six stories that involve façade restoration work with an example of work history and a contact person who can verify the information.

The Façades Unit will contact you to schedule an interview. Once you have been approved, you will be able to login to DOB NOW. See the DOB NOW Account – Associate a New License Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to associate a license to your DOB NOW profile.

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.

The prior owner representative left the company. I created a new DOB NOW account, but I cannot see the previous records.

You will not be able to see the filings created with the prior email address when you log into DOB NOW. However, you can still see the filings by searching in the public portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow (without logging in). Going forward, give the new email address to the licensed professional that is submitting new filings in DOB NOW and then when you login with that email address, you will see the filing. Once a compliance filing is submitted in DOB NOW, the owner email address cannot be updated but all the information about the filings can still be seen in the DOB NOW public portal.

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.