BuildZoom — building-permit data dictionary
Every field BuildZoom delivers across its four building-permit files — 44 fields total · Properties (11) · Building Permits (28) · Building Permit Classifications (2) · Building Permit Statuses (3) · source BuildZoom_Data_Dictionary_BUILDING_PERMITS (last updated 2026-04-08). Filter with the top-bar search.
Classifications & Statuses are separate normalized files keyed to
building_permit_id: the Classifications file maps each permit to its BuildZoom project_type (e.g. Roofing) — the same values exposed inline in the main feed's project_types_json; the Statuses file is the per-permit status history behind permit_statuses_json.| Field | Type | Description | Sample | Null values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Properties Data · 11 fields | ||||
property_id | VARCHAR(255) | The unique proprietary identifier assigned by BuildZoom to each Property entity. The Property entity's Building Permit entity matches are reconciled onto this identifier. This is a case-sensitive alphanumeric value. | xxYo7g3 | No |
street | VARCHAR(255) | The property's street address. | 115 Dottie Ln | No |
city | VARCHAR(255) | The property's city. | Alpharetta | No |
state | VARCHAR(255) | The property's state. | GA | No |
zip_code | VARCHAR(255) | The property's 5-digit zip code. | 30004.0 | No |
place_fips | VARCHAR(7) | The property's place fips code. | 5000.0 | Minimal |
place_name | VARCHAR(100) | Refers to the geographic area this property is in, as designated by the U.S. Census Bureau | Austin | Minimal |
county_fips | VARCHAR(100) | The property's county_fips code. | 12011.0 | Minimal |
county_name | VARCHAR(255) | The property's county. | Orange County | Minimal |
cbsa_fips | VARCHAR(5) | The property's cbsa_fips code, reflecting the Core-based statistical area where it resides. | 31080.0 | Moderate |
cbsa_title | VARCHAR(255) | The property's CBSA (Core-based statistical area). | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Minimal |
| Building Permits Data · 28 fields | ||||
building_permit_id | VARCHAR(255) | The unique proprietary identifier assigned by BuildZoom to each Building Permit entity. The Building Permit entity's Property and Contractor entity matches are reconciled onto this identifier. This is a case-sensitive alphanumeric value. | xxYo7g3 | No |
property_id | VARCHAR(255) | The unique proprietary identifier assigned by BuildZoom to each property. This is a case-sensitive alphanumeric value. | xxYo7g3 | No |
contractor_id | VARCHAR(255) | The unique proprietary identifier assigned by BuildZoom to each Contractor entity. The Contractor entity's Building Permit entity matches are reconciled onto this identifier. This is a case-sensitive alphanumeric value. | xxYo7g3 | Minimal |
permit_number | VARCHAR(100) | The official permit number as given by the issuing body. | B090159 | No |
description | TEXT | The description of work requiring the permit as specified by the project owner on the permit. | Addition roof over existing front porch stoop | Minimal |
type | VARCHAR(255) | The category or type of work the permit is for as specified by the permit. Values vary by jurisdiction. | New_bldg ba: res-addition/alteration | Moderate |
subtype | VARCHAR(255) | The subtype of work the permit is for as specified by the permit. Values vary by jurisdiction. | Roofing | Moderate |
project_name | VARCHAR(255) | The project title for the permit as specified by the project owner on the permit. | BLD2015-01250 | Minimal |
homeowner | VARCHAR(100) | The name of the home owner or the person the work is for as specified on the permit. | Brian Waltmann | Minimal |
business_name | VARCHAR(255) | The name of the construction company that submitted the building permit. | Atlanta Decking & Fence Company, Inc | Minimal |
job_value | DECIMAL(38,2) | The job value estimate provided by the contractor on the permit. This value is provided prior to the start of work. | 1680.0 | Moderate |
fees | DECIMAL(38,2) | The building permit fees paid to the presiding building permit authority. In absence of a declared job value, the fees are a reasonable, directional estimate to the size and scale of a project. | 52.0 | Moderate |
parcel_number | VARCHAR(100) | The parcel number of the relevant property as reported on the building permit. | 5738-005-061 | High |
subdivision | VARCHAR(255) | The description of the subdivision for the relevant property as reported on the building permit, if applicable. | VILLAGES OF MARION, VILLAS OF MO | High |
stories | INT(5) | The number of stories in the relevant structure as reported on the building permit. | 2.0 | High |
square_feet | INT(10) | The estimated square feet of the project as reported on the building permit. | 1925-04-17 08:00:00 | High |
units | VARCHAR(100) | The number of units in the relevant structure/property as reported on the building permit. | 31.0 | High |
initial_status_date | DATE | The date of the permit's first known stage in the building and approval process. These stages vary by jurisdiction. | 2018-12-31 08:00:00 | Minimal |
initial_status | VARCHAR(255) | The permit's first known stage in the building and approval process. These stages vary by jurisdiction. | applied | Minimal |
latest_status_date | DATE | The date of the permit's last known stage in the building and approval process. These stages vary by jurisdiction. | 2019-01-03 08:00:00 | Minimal |
latest_status | VARCHAR(255) | The permit's last known stage in the building and approval process. These stages vary by jurisdiction. | completed | Minimal |
applied_date | DATE | The date on which the permit application was officially received and documented by the jurisdiction | 2018-12-31 08:00:00 | Minimal |
issued_date | DATE | The date on which the permit was formally granted, approved, or released by the jurisdiction | 2019-01-01 08:00:00 | Minimal |
completed_date | DATE | The date on which the project has been finished, finalized, or successfully accomplished | 2019-01-02 08:00:00 | Minimal |
cancelled_date | DATE | The date on which the permit was officially terminated or annulled | 2019-01-03 08:00:00 | Minimal |
permit_jurisdiction | VARCHAR(204) | The geographical description of the government source for this building permit. The format is State_County_City. The city and county may be omitted for county-level and state-level jurisdictions. | CA_Los Angeles_Los Angeles | No |
project_types_json | VARCHAR / JSON(MAX) | A JSON array of all associated "project classifiers" or "tags". These are the same proprietary classifications provided in the separate Building Permit Classifications file. If subscribing to this field, the other file is not necessary. | {""project_types"":[""HVAC"",""Residential""]} | Minimal |
permit_statuses_json | VARCHAR / JSON(MAX) | A JSON array of all historical statuses and dates experienced by the relevant permit. These are the same values as provided in the separate Building Permit Statuses file. If subscribing to this field, the other file is not necessary. | {""permit_statuses"":[{""effective_date"":""2008-09-04"",""permit_status"":""applied""},{""effective_date"":""2008-10-16"",""permit_status"":""final""}]} | Minimal |
| Building Permit Classifications · 2 fields | ||||
building_permit_id | VARCHAR(255) | The unique proprietary identifier assigned by BuildZoom to each Building Permit entity. The Building Permit entity's Property and Contractor entity matches are reconciled onto this identifier. This is a case-sensitive alphanumeric value. | xxYo7g3 | No |
project_type | VARCHAR(255) | The normalized description of service performed, specified by BuildZoom's proprietary classification method. | Roofing | No |
| Building Permit Statuses · 3 fields | ||||
building_permit_id | VARCHAR(255) | The unique proprietary identifier assigned by BuildZoom to each Building Permit entity. The Building Permit entity's Property and Contractor entity matches are reconciled onto this identifier. This is a case-sensitive alphanumeric value. | xxYo7g3 | No |
permit_status | VARCHAR(255) | The normalized stage of the permit in the building and approval process. These stages vary by jurisdiction. | Issued | No |
effective_date | DATE | The date upon which the status in the building_permit_status field is effective. A status can be considered effective till the next status | 2019-10-11 09:00:00 | No |