# US Accela Building Permit Grid (`bakos_bence/accela-permits`) Actor

Scrape public Accela Citizen Access building permit grids — property address, permit type, status, and dates. Unofficial — not affiliated with Accela.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/bakos\_bence/accela-permits.md
- **Developed by:** [Bakos Bence](https://apify.com/bakos_bence) (community)
- **Categories:** Real estate
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.08 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

### What does Accela Building Permits Scraper do?

**Scrape public Accela Citizen Access building permit search grids** across US city tenants — **property address, permit type, status, record numbers, and dates**. Click **Start** on the prefilled Salt Lake City (`SLCREF`) run (`maxItems` 5). Output keys align with [`paxiq/us-building-permit-scraper`](https://apify.com/paxiq/us-building-permit-scraper) for easy migration. Export **JSON or CSV** via Apify API, schedule, or MCP.

**Unofficial.** This Actor is **not affiliated with, endorsed by, or maintained by Accela** or the municipal agencies that publish Citizen Access portals. It reads **public** permit search grids only — no login, no paywall bypass. Applicant/owner names are never stored.

**Dashboards:** connect **Power BI**, **Tableau**, **Looker Studio**, or **Qlik** to the dataset API — see *Export to Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio & Qlik* near the end. **AI agents:** paste this Actor’s Store page URL into an Apify-capable agent (MCP / Claude / Cursor with Apify), create an Apify account and API token once, and the agent can run the Actor and wire up the output.

#### Why use this Accela scraper?

- 🏗️ Multi-tenant Accela CapHome search (`tenants` codes)
- 📍 Property address + permit facts
- 🔑 paxiq-compatible output keys
- 🛡️ Reliable public grid access

#### How to scrape Accela building permits

1. Open this Actor in [Apify Console](https://console.apify.com/).
2. Set `tenants` (Accela tenant codes, e.g. `SLCREF`, `COSP`, `OAKLAND`).
3. Set `daysBack` and `maxItems`.
4. Start the run; export the dataset.

```json
{
  "tenants": ["SLCREF"],
  "daysBack": 90,
  "maxItems": 5,
  "proxyType": "apify"
}
```

#### How much does it cost?

**Pay per event (PPE):** Actor start + each permit **result** row. On Free, results are about **$2.15 / 1,000**; paid plans are lower (see the Pricing tab).

#### Input

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `tenants` | Accela tenant path codes (required) |
| `daysBack` | How many days back to search |
| `startDate` / `endDate` | Optional explicit date range |
| `maxItems` | Cap on permit rows |
| `proxyType` | Optional proxy |

#### Sample output

```json
{
  "recordId": "BLD2026-001234",
  "address": "123 MAIN ST, SALT LAKE CITY UT 84101",
  "permitType": "Building Permit",
  "status": "Issued",
  "fileDate": "2026-08-20",
  "source_platform": "accela",
  "tenant": "SLCREF",
  "owner": null
}
```

#### FAQ

##### Do you emit applicant or owner names?

No — personal names are **never** stored. Property address and permit metadata only.

##### Can I migrate from paxiq/us-building-permit-scraper?

Yes — tenant codes and core output keys are aligned for a drop-in Actor ID swap.

##### Can AI agents call this?

Yes — Actor ID `bakos_bence/accela-permits` via Apify API or [MCP](https://mcp.apify.com).

##### Do I need an Accela account?

No — this reads **public** Citizen Access search grids. It is unofficial and not affiliated with Accela.

##### Something broken?

Open the **Issues** tab on this Actor’s page in Apify Console.

#### Related Actors

| Actor | Use together when… |
|-------|-------------------|
| [Accela Building Permits Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/accela-permits) | *(this Actor)* — multi-city Accela permit grids |

Profile: [bakos\_bence on Apify](https://apify.com/bakos_bence).

#### For AI agents & LLM apps

Paste this Actor’s **Apify Store URL** into an agent that can use Apify (MCP, Claude, Cursor, etc.). With an Apify account and API token, the agent can set input, run the Actor, and fetch the dataset.

**Actor ID:** `bakos_bence/accela-permits`

**Minimal input:**

```json
{ "tenants": ["SLCREF"], "daysBack": 14, "maxItems": 50 }
```

#### Export to Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio & Qlik

After a run, rows live in an Apify **dataset**. You can download JSON/CSV/Excel from the Dataset tab, or point BI tools at a **CSV URL** that refreshes when you scrape again.

**Prefer the token in the URL** (`token=`) — most tools only need “open this link as CSV”, with no custom headers.

##### Build a refreshable CSV URL

1. In Apify Console, open **Settings → Integrations** and copy an API token.
2. Save this Actor as a **Task** (optional but best for dashboards), run or **schedule** it once so there is a successful run.
3. Use the **latest successful task run** URL (replace `TASK_ID` and `YOUR_TOKEN`):

```text
https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-tasks/TASK_ID/runs/last/dataset/items?format=csv&clean=true&status=SUCCEEDED&token=YOUR_TOKEN
```

Or, from any finished run, open the **Dataset** tab, copy the dataset ID, and use:

```text
https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/DATASET_ID/items?format=csv&clean=true&token=YOUR_TOKEN
```

Anyone with that URL can read the data — treat it like a password. For recurring dashboards, prefer the `actor-tasks/…/runs/last/…` form so refresh always hits the newest successful scrape.

##### Power BI

1. Open Power BI Desktop → **Home** → **Get data** → **Web**.
2. Paste the CSV URL (including `token=`).
3. When asked how to sign in, choose **Anonymous** → **Connect**.
4. Confirm the preview is a table (CSV). **Load** or **Transform data** as needed.
5. Publish / schedule refresh in the Power BI service using the same URL (task `runs/last` keeps it current after each scrape).

`401`: token missing/wrong, or you did not pick **Anonymous**.

##### Tableau

1. Install Tableau’s **REST API** connector from Tableau Exchange (Desktop **2023.3+**).
2. **Connect** → **To a Server** → **REST API**.
3. Paste the CSV URL (including `token=`). Set response format to **CSV**.
4. If the connector asks for auth and the token is already in the URL, leave credentials empty / anonymous; otherwise paste the same token as a Bearer access token.
5. Create an **extract**. Refresh the extract after scheduled Task runs (or point at `runs/last` so each refresh loads the latest success).

Plain **Text file** connect still works if you download CSV from the Dataset tab once — use REST when you want repeatable refresh.

##### Looker Studio

Looker Studio has no strong built-in “private CSV API” connector. Use Google Sheets as the bridge:

1. Create a Google Sheet. In **A1** enter:

```text
=IMPORTDATA("https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-tasks/TASK_ID/runs/last/dataset/items?format=csv&clean=true&status=SUCCEEDED&token=YOUR_TOKEN")
```

2. Wait until columns fill (Sheets refreshes IMPORTDATA periodically).
3. In Looker Studio → **Create** → **Report** → **Google Sheets** → select that spreadsheet / tab.
4. Build the report. After each Actor/Task run, refresh the Sheet (or wait for IMPORTDATA) then refresh the Looker data source.

One-off alternative: Dataset tab → download CSV → Looker Studio **File upload**.

##### Qlik

**REST connector** (refreshable):

1. In Qlik Cloud / Qlik Sense → **Add data** → **REST** (or create a REST connection in the Data load editor).
2. URL = the CSV URL including `token=`. Method **GET**.
3. Set the expected response type to **CSV** (or use `format=json` and JSON mode).
4. **Test connection**, pick the table, **Add** / **Load**.
5. **Reload** the app after scheduled scrapes; with `runs/last`, each reload pulls the latest successful dataset.

**Files:** Dataset tab → download CSV → **Add data** → upload the file (fine for a single snapshot).

#### SEO keywords

accela scraper, building permits api, us permit data, accela citizen access, construction permits scraper, property development data, apify accela

# Actor input Schema

## `tenants` (type: `array`):

Enter ACA tenant path codes (SLCREF, COSP, OAKLAND, …).

## `module` (type: `string`):

Enter the ACA module name (usually Building).

## `daysBack` (type: `integer`):

Search this many days back from today when start/end are empty.

## `startDate` (type: `string`):

Optionally set an explicit start date (MM/DD/YYYY).

## `endDate` (type: `string`):

Optionally set an explicit end date (MM/DD/YYYY).

## `streetName` (type: `string`):

Optionally keep permits whose street contains this text.

## `zipCode` (type: `string`):

Optionally keep permits in this ZIP.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Cap permits across tenants. Prefill 5. Alias: maxPermits.

## `maxPermits` (type: `integer`):

Same cap as maxItems — paxiq drop-in alias. Prefill 5 so a first run stays cheap.

## `city` (type: `string`):

Accepted for paxiq compatibility. Accela still needs tenant codes.

## `state` (type: `string`):

Accepted for paxiq compatibility. Use with tenants.

## `cities` (type: `array`):

Accepted for paxiq compatibility. Prefer tenant codes.

## `keyword` (type: `string`):

Mapped to streetName when streetName is empty (best-effort).

## `proxyType` (type: `string`):

Keep Apify Proxy on. Prefer Residential — empty grids are common on datacenter IPs.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Keep Residential. Alias: proxyConfig.

## `proxyConfig` (type: `object`):

Same as Apify Proxy Configuration — paxiq alias.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "tenants": [
    "SLCREF"
  ],
  "module": "Building",
  "daysBack": 90,
  "maxItems": 5,
  "maxPermits": 5,
  "proxyType": "apify",
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

Default dataset items.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "tenants": [
        "SLCREF"
    ],
    "module": "Building",
    "daysBack": 90,
    "maxItems": 5,
    "maxPermits": 5,
    "proxyType": "apify",
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true,
        "apifyProxyGroups": [
            "RESIDENTIAL"
        ]
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("bakos_bence/accela-permits").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "tenants": ["SLCREF"],
    "module": "Building",
    "daysBack": 90,
    "maxItems": 5,
    "maxPermits": 5,
    "proxyType": "apify",
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": True,
        "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("bakos_bence/accela-permits").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "tenants": [
    "SLCREF"
  ],
  "module": "Building",
  "daysBack": 90,
  "maxItems": 5,
  "maxPermits": 5,
  "proxyType": "apify",
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}' |
apify call bakos_bence/accela-permits --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,bakos_bence/accela-permits"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/bKQd9xfhXdRTavXJM/builds/hH0eNC1jMXMlWtHEM/openapi.json