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
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.
Which related terms should you know?
These are the terms that come up alongside bbl (borough-block-lot) in the same file.
- BIN (Building Identification Number)
- A seven-digit Department of Buildings number identifying one building. A single tax lot holding a main house and a rear structure carries a separate BIN for each of them.
- ACRIS
- New York City's public index of recorded property documents for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, easements and many liens are recorded here, which makes it the starting point for confirming ownership in those four boroughs. Staten Island instruments are indexed by the Richmond County Clerk, not here, though a Staten Island transfer tax return is still filed through ACRIS.
- Municipal search
- The record search covering agency violations, municipal arrears and occupancy documents for a property. It runs alongside the land records search rather than inside it.
- Tax search
- The search reporting property tax status, water and sewer balances and municipal charges. Its results drive the tax adjustments shown on the closing statement.
- Violation (cited against the premises)
- An agency record that a condition at a property does not comply with a code or rule. It attaches to the premises and follows the property through a sale.
- Zoning lot certificate
- A recorded declaration combining tax lots into one zoning lot for development purposes. Waivers and consents from affected owners and lienholders accompany it.
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.
What else should you read before closing?
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