# Census Building Permits Monitor (`defenestrator/census-building-permits-monitor`) Actor Fetch latest U.S. Census Building Permits Survey records by county, state, or CBSA. Unofficial and not affiliated with the Census Bureau. - **URL**: https://apify.com/defenestrator/census-building-permits-monitor.md - **Developed by:** [Defenestrator](https://apify.com/defenestrator) (community) - **Categories:** Business, News - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $0.50 / 1,000 census building permit aggregate rows 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 ## Census Building Permits Monitor Fetch official U.S. Census Building Permits Survey records by county, state, or CBSA/metro area and export them as source-linked Apify dataset rows. Use this Actor for market monitoring, construction research, economic-development analysis, real-estate research, and dashboards that need repeatable permit-activity data without manually downloading Census text files. **Unofficial / not affiliated:** this Actor is independently developed and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau. It does not provide investment, legal, permitting, construction, financial, or compliance advice. ### Common use cases - Track recent authorized building permits by county, state, or metro area. - Compare monthly, year-to-date, or annual permit activity across geographies. - Feed market-research dashboards with official source-linked BPS rows. - Filter for areas above a total-unit threshold. - Export Census BPS records to JSON, CSV, Excel, or an API integration. ### What you get Each dataset row can include: - survey date / period - geography level and official geography codes - county, state, or CBSA/metro name - buildings, units, and permit value for: - 1-unit structures - 2-unit structures - 3–4 unit structures - 5+ unit structures - total buildings, total units, and total permit value - source URL - collection timestamp - optional raw source fields for reconciliation ### Input filters | Field | Description | |---|---| | `geographyLevel` | County, State, or CBSA. | | `period` | Latest monthly, latest year-to-date, or latest annual data. | | `stateFips` | Optional two-digit state filter for County/State runs. | | `minTotalUnits` | Optional threshold for total authorized units. | | `sortBy` / `sortDescending` | Output ordering before truncation. | | `maxItems` | Maximum rows to save. | | `includeRawFields` | Include raw source fields for debugging/reconciliation. | ### Example input ```json { "geographyLevel": "County", "period": "latestMonthly", "stateFips": "12", "minTotalUnits": 25, "sortBy": "totalUnits", "sortDescending": true, "maxItems": 10, "includeRawFields": false } ```` ### Pricing This Actor uses Apify Pay Per Event pricing with platform usage included: | Event | Price | |---|---:| | Actor start (`apify-actor-start`) | `$0.00005` per run start | | Census BPS aggregate row (`apify-default-dataset-item`) | `$0.0005` per aggregate record saved | ### Official source - Census BPS overview: https://www.census.gov/permits - Official Census file directory: https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/ ### Limitations and responsible use Census BPS files are estimates and may be revised over time. Treat rows as official source records as of collection time and verify against Census release notes and official Census files for formal reporting, investment, permitting, policy, or compliance decisions. This Actor does not provide investment, legal, permitting, real-estate, construction, financial, or compliance advice. # Actor input Schema ## `geographyLevel` (type: `string`): Census BPS geography level to retrieve. ## `period` (type: `string`): Which latest Census BPS release file to retrieve. ## `stateFips` (type: `string`): Optional two-digit state FIPS filter for county or state runs, e.g. 12 for Florida. ## `minTotalUnits` (type: `integer`): Only keep rows whose total authorized units are at least this number. ## `sortBy` (type: `string`): Field used to sort records before applying maxItems. ## `sortDescending` (type: `boolean`): Sort descending when true; ascending when false. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Maximum records to save. ## `includeRawFields` (type: `boolean`): Include raw parsed Census row arrays for debugging/integration. ## Actor input object example ```json { "geographyLevel": "County", "period": "latestMonthly", "minTotalUnits": 0, "sortBy": "totalUnits", "sortDescending": true, "maxItems": 100, "includeRawFields": false } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description ## `summary` (type: `string`): No description # 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("defenestrator/census-building-permits-monitor").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("defenestrator/census-building-permits-monitor").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 defenestrator/census-building-permits-monitor --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=defenestrator/census-building-permits-monitor", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Census Building Permits Monitor", "description": "Fetch latest U.S. Census Building Permits Survey records by county, state, or CBSA. Unofficial and not affiliated with the Census Bureau.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "qUG3APZu9a3abDpPC" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/defenestrator~census-building-permits-monitor/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-defenestrator-census-building-permits-monitor", "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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/defenestrator~census-building-permits-monitor/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-defenestrator-census-building-permits-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/defenestrator~census-building-permits-monitor/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-defenestrator-census-building-permits-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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", "properties": { "geographyLevel": { "title": "Geography level", "enum": [ "County", "State", "CBSA" ], "type": "string", "description": "Census BPS geography level to retrieve.", "default": "County" }, "period": { "title": "Period", "enum": [ "latestMonthly", "latestYtd", "latestAnnual" ], "type": "string", "description": "Which latest Census BPS release file to retrieve.", "default": "latestMonthly" }, "stateFips": { "title": "State FIPS filter", "type": "string", "description": "Optional two-digit state FIPS filter for county or state runs, e.g. 12 for Florida." }, "minTotalUnits": { "title": "Minimum total units", "minimum": 0, "type": "integer", "description": "Only keep rows whose total authorized units are at least this number.", "default": 0 }, "sortBy": { "title": "Sort by", "enum": [ "totalUnits", "totalPermitValue", "name" ], "type": "string", "description": "Field used to sort records before applying maxItems.", "default": "totalUnits" }, "sortDescending": { "title": "Sort descending", "type": "boolean", "description": "Sort descending when true; ascending when false.", "default": true }, "maxItems": { "title": "Maximum items", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 10000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum records to save.", "default": 100 }, "includeRawFields": { "title": "Include raw fields", "type": "boolean", "description": "Include raw parsed Census row arrays for debugging/integration.", "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```