Closings glossary

BBL (Borough-Block-Lot)

The tax lot identifier for a parcel of New York City real property, written as borough, block and lot. Nearly every City record system keys on it rather than on an address.

What is a BBL in New York City?

Quick Answer

A BBL is the borough, block and lot number that uniquely identifies a New York City tax lot: one digit for the borough, then the block, then the lot. City records are organized by BBL rather than street address, so a search by address alone can miss filings.

The full definition

The tax lot identifier for a parcel of New York City real property, written as borough, block and lot. Nearly every City record system keys on it rather than on an address.

Also called: Borough-Block-Lot, Block and lot.

Where does bbl (borough-block-lot) come up in a New York City closing?

A Bronx building sits on block 2853, lot 41, and a violation search run against that tax lot returns records the street address search had missed entirely.

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