01
Scope and who we are
This policy describes personal information processed by Permit Answers when you browse the public website, use search, open a guide, follow a link, or contact us. It does not govern a government portal or another website reached through an external link.
Permit Answers is an independent information service focused on United States building permits. In this policy, “Permit Answers,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the operator of this service.
02
Information we may collect
The categories depend on how you use the service. Most public browsing does not require you to identify yourself.
- Search and interaction data, such as the city, county, ZIP code, or project terms you submit and the pages or links you use
- Device and network data, such as IP address, browser type, operating system, referring page, timestamps, and diagnostic events in standard security or server logs
- Communications you choose to send, including your email address, message, page URL, and any supporting information
- Requests submitted through our contact form are stored in our service database in Singapore with a request reference, topic, optional reply address and page URL, submission time, and the privacy-notice version acknowledged. The form does not send a message to a government agency or automatically subscribe you to anything.
- Public government-source data used to create the service, which is governed separately from information about website visitors
03
Information you should not submit
Public search is designed for a jurisdiction or project phrase, not a complete property dossier. Do not enter account passwords, payment-card information, Social Security numbers, government identification numbers, private access codes, unredacted plans, medical information, or other sensitive personal information.
A full street address may be necessary on an official government system, but it is not required for the current Permit Answers search. If sensitive information is sent to us accidentally, contact us and identify the message so we can evaluate deletion.
04
How information is used
We use information to return relevant search results, operate and secure the service, diagnose errors, measure reliability, respond to messages, investigate corrections, prevent abuse, comply with legal obligations, and improve coverage and usability.
We do not use a permit search to make decisions about a person's employment, housing, credit, insurance, eligibility, or government benefits. We do not build a profile of a visitor's construction activity for sale to contractors or advertisers.
06
When information may be disclosed
We may provide limited information to service providers that host, secure, monitor, or support the website, subject to appropriate contractual and access restrictions. We may also disclose information when required by law, legal process, or a valid government request; to investigate abuse or security incidents; or to protect rights, safety, and the service.
If the service is involved in a merger, financing, acquisition, reorganization, or transfer of assets, information may be part of that transaction subject to applicable law and notice requirements. We do not currently sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
07
Retention
We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including security, troubleshooting, responding to a request, maintaining a correction record, resolving disputes, and meeting legal obligations.
Retention varies by category. Short-lived operational data should be deleted or de-identified when it is no longer needed. A correction email may be retained longer when it documents the evidence and decision behind a public change. We will publish more specific schedules before introducing accounts, uploads, payments, or marketing profiles.
08
Security
We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. Access should be limited to people and providers who need it for an authorized purpose.
No internet transmission or storage system is completely secure. Do not send sensitive project or identity information by ordinary email. If you believe the site or your communication has been affected by a security issue, use the contact page and avoid including exploit details in a public channel.
09
Your choices and privacy rights
Depending on where you live and applicable law, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, or a copy of personal information; to object to or restrict certain processing; or to appeal a privacy-request decision.
Submit a request through the privacy email link on this page. Describe the right you want to exercise and the interaction involved. We may need to verify the request in a proportionate way before disclosing or deleting information. Authorized agents may be required to provide proof of authority.
10
Children's privacy
The service is intended for adults researching property and construction requirements. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you believe a child submitted personal information, contact us with enough information to locate the submission without sending additional information about the child.
11
Visitors outside the United States
Permit Answers is focused on United States permit information and is operated for a United States audience. Hosting and support providers may process information in Singapore, the United States or other countries where they operate, where privacy laws may differ from those in your location. Contact us for information about the providers relevant to your interaction.
Do not rely on Permit Answers for permit requirements outside the stated United States jurisdiction coverage.
12
Policy changes
We will update this policy when data practices, product features, providers, or legal requirements materially change. The effective and last-reviewed date at the top will be revised, and additional notice will be provided when required by law.
A policy change applies prospectively unless another effective date is stated. Materially different use of information already collected will be handled in accordance with applicable notice and consent requirements.
13
Privacy contact
Send privacy questions or requests to [email protected] with “Privacy request” in the subject line. Include the approximate date and type of interaction so we can locate relevant records.
Do not send identity documents unless we specifically request a secure and proportionate verification method. Ordinary email is not an appropriate place for passwords, payment data, or government identifiers.