01
What to report
Please report a statement that is factually wrong, missing a material condition, applied to the wrong authority or property type, based on a superseded source, linked to the wrong portal, or likely to send a user down an incorrect application path.
Broken government links, changed office hours, replaced forms, new fee schedules, and accessibility problems are also useful reports. Style preferences are reviewed as feedback but are not necessarily corrections.
02
What makes a report actionable
A useful correction email identifies the exact Permit Answers URL and the sentence, link, or field in question. Include the official source URL and its revision or effective date when available.
- The page URL and disputed statement
- The city, county, or authority involved
- The project and property type affected
- A current government page, document, form, or written clarification
- Why the difference could change a user's action
03
How reports are prioritized
Priority is based on potential user harm, not the identity or commercial relationship of the reporter. A report suggesting that users could begin regulated work without a required permit, use the wrong jurisdiction, miss an inspection, or rely on an expired form is reviewed before a minor wording issue.
A page may be temporarily removed from search or narrowed while a high-impact concern is investigated. Temporary removal is a quality-control measure and does not predetermine the final conclusion.
04
Investigation process
An editor checks the disputed statement against the cited source, looks for a newer controlling source, confirms jurisdiction and scope, and determines whether connected fields such as fees, forms, steps, or inspections are also affected.
When the official material remains ambiguous, we may seek clarification, change the conclusion to require authority confirmation, or withhold the page. We do not resolve genuine uncertainty by selecting the answer that creates the cleanest headline.
05
Possible outcomes
A review may confirm the existing page, make a minor clarification, correct a material error, update an outdated source or link, narrow the scope, or remove the conclusion until adequate evidence is available.
The reporter may receive a response when contact information is provided, but editorial decisions remain based on the evidence. We cannot adjudicate a dispute between an applicant and an authority or alter a government record.
06
Visible correction records
When a factual correction changes the permit outcome, scope, required step, fee statement, inspection statement, or other material user decision, the page should identify what changed and update its verification record. We do not treat a material correction as an ordinary copy edit.
Typographical, grammar, formatting, and broken-link fixes that do not change meaning may be made without a prominent correction note. Internal source and publication records retain the reason for the update.
07
Disagreements and follow-up
A reader can respond with additional official evidence if they disagree with the outcome. A contractor's customary practice or a past permit outcome can be useful context, but it does not override a current official rule by itself.
Government staff may contact us to clarify their department's process. We will verify the sender and supporting material before changing the page; a request to remove accurate public information is evaluated under the same standards as any other request.
08
Where to send corrections
Send correction reports to [email protected]. Use a descriptive subject line such as “Seattle roof guide — building-envelope exception” and include links rather than attaching sensitive project files.
For privacy requests, accessibility problems, partnerships, or general questions, use the contact page so the message can be routed appropriately.