Request a proposal In the field. In the documents. On the record.KOW research library
Building permits, inspections, zoning, property records, and environmental research. Search by location or the information you need.
Filters: Any keyword · All states · All jurisdictions · All record types
Source references checked September 15, 2026. This directory does not verify property compliance, database completeness, or live availability.
Atlanta’s official guide to online planning and construction permitting.
The agency guide links to its application platform. Some records may require an open-records request.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/zoning-development-permitting-services/online-permitting
Austin’s guide to AB+C permit and case-history research.
Public Search does not require registration. Applying, paying fees, or uploading documents requires an account.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services/austin-build-connect-abc
Austin’s Property Profile mapping application.
Check parcel and zoning layers together; map information does not replace the underlying recorded document.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://maps.austintexas.gov/PropertyProfile/
Austin’s open-data catalog.
Check whether a permit dataset describes issued permits, applications, or another stage of the process.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data.austintexas.gov/
Baltimore City’s open-data catalog.
Use the municipal jurisdiction, not Baltimore County, when researching a City property.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data.baltimorecity.gov/
Boston’s entry point for current permitting services and historical permit research.
Follow the historical-records route for older work. Applicant functions may require an account.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.boston.gov/boston-permitting
Map-based zoning research for Boston properties.
Confirm the district and parcel before reviewing the zoning regulations. A map is not a zoning determination.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://maps.bostonplans.org/zoningviewer/
Buffalo’s municipal open-data catalog.
Check the selected dataset’s date range, field definitions, and update date before interpreting missing records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data.buffalony.gov/
Charleston’s permit-application guide and CSS access.
Confirm the property is inside City jurisdiction. Registration is required for applications and inspection scheduling.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://charleston-sc.gov/226/Permit-Applications
Charlotte’s guide to land-development project searches, parcel maps, and county building permits.
City land-development review and Mecklenburg County building permitting are separate research paths.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.charlottenc.gov/Growth-and-Development/Getting-Started-on-Your-Project/Search-Projects-and-Permits
Charlotte’s open-data catalog.
Use the catalog to locate planning and GIS datasets; do not treat it as the complete building-permit file.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data.charlottenc.gov/
Public access to Chicago building permit and inspection records.
The site requires acceptance of its user agreement. Compare record status with supporting documents.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://webapps1.chicago.gov/buildingrecords/
Chicago’s portal for managing inspections, permits, licenses, and related services.
Sign-in is required for account services. Use Building Permit and Inspection Records for public research.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://ipi.cityofchicago.org/Profile
Columbus’s Citizen Access portal.
Search the relevant record category and distinguish an application from an issued or completed permit.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://portal.columbus.gov/permits/Welcome.aspx
Columbus’s zoning map.
Check for applicable overlays or pending cases rather than relying only on a base-district label.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://gis.columbus.gov/zoning/
Davidson County parcel information, including ownership, zoning, and permit layers.
Select the parcel and review its detail tabs. Match the parcel boundary to the actual subject property.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://maps.nashville.gov/ParcelViewer/
Denver’s geospatial open-data catalog.
Review dataset boundaries and update dates before combining layers or comparing records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://opendata-geospatialdenver.hub.arcgis.com/
Denver’s interactive zoning map.
Verify the parcel and governing zoning designation before applying development standards.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.denvergov.org/maps/map/zoning
Detroit’s municipal open-data catalog.
Use dataset descriptions to distinguish permits, demolitions, and other municipal records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data.detroitmi.gov/
Franklin County’s property search.
The linked search starts with owner names; choose the appropriate search mode for your available identifier.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://property.franklincountyauditor.com/_web/search/commonsearch.aspx?mode=owner
Hartford’s Development Services guide to building and planning applications.
The City identifies Accela for applications and account-based record tracking.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/DDS
Hartford’s municipal open-data catalog.
Dataset coverage can differ from the permitting system. Check publication dates and dataset descriptions.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data.hartford.gov/
Hillsborough County’s property appraiser website.
Assessment and sales information is not evidence that all improvements were permitted.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.hcpafl.org/
LADBS’s guide to online building records and records requests.
Some records require additional research or a request through the Records Section.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/search-online-building-records
Los Angeles City Planning’s zoning and property research tool.
Search using the property or parcel identifier. Follow the linked case records when a mapped designation needs context.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://planning.lacity.gov/zoning/zoning-search
Miami-Dade’s land-management map.
Check the selected layer and regulatory jurisdiction; county mapping does not make every property subject to the same zoning authority.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://gisweb.miamidade.gov/landmanagement/
Miami-Dade’s guide to permit history, occupancy certificates, and code-compliance searches.
Confirm whether the County or a municipality holds the records. Follow the agency’s address-format instructions.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser149695713973833
Metro Nashville’s ePermits portal.
Use the property address, parcel identifier, or permit number available in your project file.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://epermits.nashville.gov/
Federal environmental enforcement and compliance information for regulated facilities.
Match facility identifiers and program coverage. No search result is not evidence of an uncontaminated site.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://echo.epa.gov/
Access to EPA environmental data systems.
Different programs cover different facilities and reporting periods. Use appropriate state records alongside federal information.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.epa.gov/enviro
Official National Flood Insurance Program flood-hazard maps and related map products.
Distinguish effective maps from preliminary products. A map lookup is not a site-specific flood-risk assessment.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
New Jersey’s Construction Reporter provides construction activity reports and permit statistics.
State summary data is not a substitute for the local building department’s property-specific permit file.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/reporter/
Recorded document images for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx from 1966 onward.
Staten Island land records require a different research route. A document search is not a title commitment.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/finance/property/acris.page
NYC’s public portal for DOB NOW filings and compliance information.
Public research and applicant services have different access requirements. Check BIS for historical records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/dob-now-public-portal-faqs.page
NYC housing records and available historical I-card images.
HPD housing records and DOB building records serve different purposes. Review both where relevant.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://hpdonline.nyc.gov/hpdonline/
Legacy building jobs, complaints, violations, inspections, and occupancy information.
Research both BIS and DOB NOW. A record missing from one may be held in the other.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/dob/find-building-data.page
NYC zoning and land-use mapping, with property identifiers and district information.
Use the mapped district as a starting point. Review the Zoning Resolution and relevant approvals.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02121
New York State environmental map layers and links to available regulatory documents.
Read layer descriptions and update frequencies before interpreting an absence of mapped records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://dec.ny.gov/maps/interactive-maps/decinfo-locator/layers
New York State environmental remediation site database.
A missing site record does not establish that a property is free of contamination.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://appfactory.dec.ny.gov/DERExternalSearch/ERDSearch
Newark’s property portal.
Account access may be required for property services. Check the portal’s current options before creating an account.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://newarkportal.us/
Newark’s geographic information and open-data catalog.
Choose the relevant parcel or zoning layer and check its coverage and publication date.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://data-newgin.opendata.arcgis.com/
Phoenix PDD’s search utilities for permits and related records.
Phoenix is transitioning work to SHAPE PHX. Check which system holds the project rather than assuming PDD contains all new filings.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://apps-secure.phoenix.gov/PDD/Search
Phoenix’s official directory of planning and development maps.
Use My Community Map for available zoning and development layers; check the individual record for supporting documents.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd/tools-resources/maps.html
Phoenix’s current development guide, with SHAPE PHX access and transition information.
The City identifies April 27, 2026 for new commercial plan review and inspection permitting in SHAPE PHX.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd/residential-building.html
Pittsburgh’s records-request guide and online occupancy-search access.
If the online search is incomplete, use the City’s records-request instructions.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/OneStopPGH/Record-Requests
Pittsburgh’s PLI guide to permits, licenses, inspections, and OneStopPGH services.
Use the City’s current portal links. Application services and public research are not necessarily the same workflow.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections
Portland’s Development Hub for permit and application services.
Use PortlandMaps for property research and this portal for the applicant workflow.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://devhub.portlandoregon.gov/permits/sfjsp?interviewID=Home&workspace=main
Portland’s property mapping and research portal.
Review the property’s available permit and zoning information, then request documents not available online.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.portlandmaps.com/
Portland’s GIS and open-data catalog.
Check the selected layer’s metadata. A downloadable layer may cover a different period than the live permit system.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://gis-pdx.opendata.arcgis.com/
San Antonio’s BuildSA guide, including access to legacy permit research.
Check both the current portal and the linked Hansen legacy search when researching older work.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/DSD/BuildSA
San Diego County’s zoning and property-information map.
County jurisdiction is not interchangeable with the City of San Diego. Confirm which agency governs the parcel.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://gis-portal.sandiegocounty.gov/arcgis/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=f1b69ba9d3dd4940b8d1efcc9dac2ac4
Regional SanGIS/SANDAG parcel lookup.
Use the parcel identifier to continue research with the relevant city or county agency.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://geo.sandag.org/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=1d105857933641e0a8496d2769b31aec
San Diego’s guide to development records, public online searches, and archived plans.
Different systems and archives cover different periods. The City identifies separate procedures for older records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/records
Seattle’s SDCI permit and site-history map.
Review the linked record for available documents and access requirements. Map summaries may not contain the complete file.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://maps.seattle.gov/sdcipermithistory/
Tampa’s zoning district map.
Match the zoning result to the subject parcel and consult the applicable district regulations.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0b87aa48e8f04d93a0ef78656d01343a/
Tampa’s official help center for Accela Citizen Access.
Follow the City’s portal link rather than a saved search for another property. Account functions have separate requirements.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://www.tampa.gov/planning-and-development/accela-help-links
DC DOB’s agency directory for permitting, inspection, and records-access services.
Choose eRecords or Records Management for documents rather than assuming the agency homepage searches every record.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://dob.dc.gov/
DDOT’s public-space permitting system, with existing-permit lookup.
Public-space permits are distinct from DOB building permits. Applications and payments use a TOPS account.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://tops.ddot.dc.gov/DDOTPERMITSYSTEM/DDOTPERMITONLINE/Landing.aspx
The District’s three-dimensional zoning map.
Identify the parcel’s mapped district, then review the applicable zoning text and case records.
Source checked September 15, 2026. Availability and document access can change; this is not a live status check.
https://maps.dcoz.dc.gov/3D/
Before you search
Confirm the governing jurisdiction and parcel identifier. Check current and legacy systems where records are split. A missing result does not prove that no permit, violation, or environmental concern exists.
KOW provides this curated directory, not the underlying government databases. Links may open a search tool, data catalog, or agency guide. Source review does not verify every record or logged-in function.