# Austin Building Permits API — Daily, Normalized JSON (`curative_blanket/austin-permits-api`) Actor Daily Austin, TX building permit data as clean, normalized JSON. New construction, roofing, solar, HVAC, electrical & plumbing permits with contractor, address, valuation & geo. Deduplicated, pay-per-result. Official open data for lead gen, proptech & AI agents. - **URL**: https://apify.com/curative\_blanket/austin-permits-api.md - **Developed by:** [Salim](https://apify.com/curative_blanket) (community) - **Categories:** Real estate, Lead generation, AI - **Stats:** 2 total users, 0 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.50 / 1,000 permit records This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. 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. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use 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 ## Austin Building Permits API — Daily, Normalized JSON (Construction, Solar, Roofing, HVAC Leads) **Get fresh Austin, TX building permits every day as clean, normalized JSON.** New residential and commercial construction, roofing, solar, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing permits — each record carries the contractor, address, permit type, work class, status, valuation, and (where available) geo-coordinates. Built for **lead generation, proptech, and AI agents**, deduplicated so you never pay twice for the same permit. This Actor reads the **City of Austin's official open-data API** (Socrata dataset `3syk-w9eu`, "Issued Construction Permits"), which the city refreshes daily. No scraping, no stale snapshots — just the authoritative source, normalized. --- ### Who this is for #### 🌞 Solar, roofing & HVAC lead generation A new roofing, solar, mechanical, or plumbing permit is a high-intent buying signal. Pull **newly issued permits by work class every morning**, filter to your trade, and feed your sales pipeline addresses that just committed to a project — often with the **contractor name and phone** already attached. Set it on a daily schedule and you get a continuous, deduplicated stream of fresh jobs in your service area. #### 🏠 Proptech & real estate Permits are a leading indicator of property activity — renovations, additions, new builds, and valuations before they show up anywhere else. Use this feed to **enrich property records, score neighborhoods, track construction velocity, and flag value-add events** by parcel (`parcel_id` / TCAD ID) and address. #### 🤖 AI agents & MCP / automation users Stable schema, one record per permit, JSON-native, pay-per-result. Drop it into an **agent workflow, MCP tool, or scheduled pipeline** and get deterministic, well-typed permit data without writing a Socrata client or babysitting field-name changes. The full original record is preserved under `_raw` for power users. --- ### Why not just call the city API directly? The raw Socrata endpoint is workable but rough: inconsistent and occasionally **mislabeled field names**, nested objects (the source URL is buried in a nested `link.url`), fields that appear on some records and not others, and **no deduplication** for daily pulls. This Actor gives you: - **One stable output schema** — the same keys on every record, forever. Missing source data is `null`-filled, never dropped. - **Daily fresh** — schedule it; the city updates daily and this Actor pulls only what's new in your chosen window. - **Deduplicated across runs** — keyed on permit ID and persisted between runs, so daily schedules don't re-deliver or **re-charge** for permits you already have. - **Pay only for results** — empty runs cost nothing. --- ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | |---|---|---|---| | `mode` | enum | `delta` | `delta` = permits issued in the last N days (best for daily schedules). `backfill` = a fixed `issued_date` range. | | `days_back` | int | `7` | Delta mode: how many days back from today to pull. | | `start_date` | string | — | Backfill mode: inclusive lower bound on issued date (`YYYY-MM-DD`). | | `end_date` | string | today | Backfill mode: inclusive upper bound (`YYYY-MM-DD`). | | `max_results` | int | `5000` | Safety cap on **new** records pushed (and charged) per run. | | `app_token` | string (secret) | — | Optional Socrata app token for higher rate limits. Not required. | | `reset_dedup` | bool | `false` | Clears the seen-ID memory before the run. Testing / deliberate re-pull only. | #### Example — daily lead-gen schedule ```json { "mode": "delta", "days_back": 2, "max_results": 5000 } ```` #### Example — one-time historical backfill ```json { "mode": "backfill", "start_date": "2026-01-01", "end_date": "2026-03-31" } ``` *** ### Output Every record has **exactly these keys**. Missing source data is `null`-filled. The full untouched source record is preserved under `_raw`. ```json { "permit_id": "2026-066944 PP", "jurisdiction": "Austin, TX", "source_dataset": "3syk-w9eu", "permit_type": "Plumbing Permit", "permit_class": "Residential", "work_class": "Repair", "status": "Active", "applied_date": "2026-05-27T00:00:00.000", "issued_date": "2026-06-02T00:00:00.000", "expiration_date": "2026-11-29T00:00:00.000", "address": "5418 FAIRMONT CIR", "city": "AUSTIN", "state": "TX", "zip": "78745", "latitude": 30.21829231, "longitude": -97.79863071, "valuation": null, "work_description": "Gas test", "contractor_name": "Sal's Plumbing", "contractor_full_name": "Salomon Garcia", "contractor_trade": "Plumbing Contractor", "contractor_phone": "5127487537", "contractor_city": "Austin", "contractor_zip": "78745", "owner_or_applicant_name": null, "parcel_id": "0412131402", "source_url": "https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/public-search-other?...", "pulled_at": "2026-06-04T09:12:25.338Z", "_raw": { "...": "full original source record" } } ``` When a run finds **no new permits**, it pushes a single informational item (`{"info": "no_new_results", ...}`) and **does not charge you**. *** ### Coverage & honest limitations (please read before buying) We'd rather you buy with clear expectations than leave a bad review. - **City:** **Austin, TX only** in v1. Other US cities are planned, but not here yet — buy this only if you want Austin. - **Freshness:** The City of Austin refreshes the source dataset daily. Schedule this Actor daily to stay current. We do not control the city's update timing. - **Geo is partial.** `latitude` / `longitude` are present on **most but not all** records. Keys are always present; `null` when the city didn't publish coordinates for that permit. Don't assume 100% geocoding. - **Valuation is partial.** `valuation` is frequently **absent on trade permits** (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) and null-filled there. Each run logs how often it was missing. - **No owner / applicant data.** The Austin dataset does **not** include property owner or applicant names. `owner_or_applicant_name` is always `null`. If you need owner data, this source can't provide it. - **Contractor phone is raw and dirty.** Source phone/zip values are inconsistent and sometimes junk. We pass them through **unmodified** — no cleaning or validation. Validate on your side before dialing. - **Deduplication** is keyed on `permit_id`, so daily runs won't re-deliver or re-charge permits you've already received. *** ### Pricing **Pay per result:** **$2.50 per 1,000 permit records** ($0.0025 each). You are charged only for **new, delivered** records. Deduplicated records and empty runs are **not** charged. *** ### Legal This Actor delivers **public open-government data** published by the City of Austin. It is **NOT an FCRA consumer report** and **must not** be used for credit, employment, tenant screening, insurance eligibility, or any other FCRA-regulated decision. Use it for market research, lead generation, analytics, and similar permitted purposes. You are responsible for your own compliance, including any applicable do-not-call obligations when contacting contractors. *** Source: [City of Austin Open Data — Issued Construction Permits (3syk-w9eu)](https://data.austintexas.gov/Building-and-Development/Issued-Construction-Permits/3syk-w9eu) # Actor input Schema ## `mode` (type: `string`): delta = pull permits issued in the last N days (best for daily scheduled runs). backfill = pull a fixed issued\_date range. ## `days_back` (type: `integer`): In delta mode, pull permits with issued\_date within the last N days (relative to today, UTC). Default is 30 so a normal daily run reliably returns a healthy batch of Austin permits (keeps the Store health-check non-empty). ## `start_date` (type: `string`): Backfill only. Inclusive lower bound on issued\_date. Format: YYYY-MM-DD. ## `end_date` (type: `string`): Backfill only. Inclusive upper bound on issued\_date. Format: YYYY-MM-DD. Defaults to today if omitted. ## `max_results` (type: `integer`): Hard cap on the number of NEW (non-duplicate) records pushed this run. Protects against runaway pulls and unexpected charges. ## `app_token` (type: `string`): Optional Socrata app token for higher rate limits. Get a free one at https://data.austintexas.gov/profile/edit/developer\_settings. Works fine without it for small runs. ## `reset_dedup` (type: `boolean`): If true, clears the set of previously-seen permit IDs before this run. Use only for testing or a deliberate re-pull (will re-charge for records seen before). ## Actor input object example ```json { "mode": "delta", "days_back": 30, "start_date": "2026-01-01", "end_date": "2026-01-31", "max_results": 200, "reset_dedup": false } ``` # 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 '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("curative_blanket/austin-permits-api").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 '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("curative_blanket/austin-permits-api").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call curative_blanket/austin-permits-api --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=curative_blanket/austin-permits-api", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Austin Building Permits API — Daily, Normalized JSON", "description": "Daily Austin, TX building permit data as clean, normalized JSON. New construction, roofing, solar, HVAC, electrical & plumbing permits with contractor, address, valuation & geo. Deduplicated, pay-per-result. Official open data for lead gen, proptech & AI agents.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "VQW3XUkCu6UHbFemj" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/curative_blanket~austin-permits-api/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-curative_blanket-austin-permits-api", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/curative_blanket~austin-permits-api/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-curative_blanket-austin-permits-api", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/curative_blanket~austin-permits-api/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-curative_blanket-austin-permits-api", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "mode" ], "properties": { "mode": { "title": "Mode", "enum": [ "delta", "backfill" ], "type": "string", "description": "delta = pull permits issued in the last N days (best for daily scheduled runs). backfill = pull a fixed issued_date range.", "default": "delta" }, "days_back": { "title": "Days back (delta mode)", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 365, "type": "integer", "description": "In delta mode, pull permits with issued_date within the last N days (relative to today, UTC). Default is 30 so a normal daily run reliably returns a healthy batch of Austin permits (keeps the Store health-check non-empty).", "default": 30 }, "start_date": { "title": "Start date (backfill mode)", "type": "string", "description": "Backfill only. Inclusive lower bound on issued_date. Format: YYYY-MM-DD." }, "end_date": { "title": "End date (backfill mode)", "type": "string", "description": "Backfill only. Inclusive upper bound on issued_date. Format: YYYY-MM-DD. Defaults to today if omitted." }, "max_results": { "title": "Max results (safety cap)", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 200000, "type": "integer", "description": "Hard cap on the number of NEW (non-duplicate) records pushed this run. Protects against runaway pulls and unexpected charges.", "default": 200 }, "app_token": { "title": "Socrata App Token (optional)", "type": "string", "description": "Optional Socrata app token for higher rate limits. Get a free one at https://data.austintexas.gov/profile/edit/developer_settings. Works fine without it for small runs." }, "reset_dedup": { "title": "Reset deduplication memory", "type": "boolean", "description": "If true, clears the set of previously-seen permit IDs before this run. Use only for testing or a deliberate re-pull (will re-charge for records seen before).", "default": false } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```