What this directory can and cannot do

What's checked

Office names are the reliable part. Fees and the current apply form live on the department site. Listings marked unverified are names only — use the search, do not file from a guessed link.

Office names

Unique and verified

States and territories

56 — 50 states, DC, and 5 territories

Apply-online sites

9 named systems — confirm they are still current

Office websites we reached

1,186 department pages — fees and apply forms are on those sites

Unverified listings

5,850 — use the search; do not treat any leftover link as a login

County usually issues

9,120 smaller places · 9,114 linked to a county office · 6 not yet linked

If it touches the street

A driveway cut, dumpster in the street, or cable in the parkway is usually a different office from the house permit.

How big is the directory

Larger cities

79

More cities and counties

1,161

Other named places

14,925

Total offices

16,165

Always confirm who issues the permit, and whether the property is in the city or the county.

A small town often uses the county building department. Do not assume every named place issues its own permit.