This Privacy Policy describes how Permit Labs (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects information in connection with the permitlabs.ai platform and our professional permitting services (collectively, the “Services”).
By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy. Your use of the Services is also subject to our Terms of Service.
Information we collect
1.1 Information you provide
When you create an account or use our Services, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, company name, job title, and business address. We also collect billing and payment information necessary to process transactions, which is handled by our third-party payment processor in accordance with PCI-DSS standards.
We don’t store full payment card numbers
Card details are passed directly to our PCI-DSS-compliant payment processor and never persist on our servers.
1.2 Project and property data
Our Services involve the management and filing of permit applications, interconnection filings, and related approvals. In connection with this, we collect and process project-related information including:
- Property addresses and parcel data
- Homeowner and property owner names and contact details
- Permit applications and supporting documentation
- Construction and engineering documents
- Site photographs and imagery
- Jurisdiction and utility information
- HOA documentation and inspection records
- All files, documents, and data uploaded to the Platform by our customers
Our customers (contractors, solar installers, and construction professionals) may submit personal information about third parties, such as homeowners and property owners, as part of the permitting process.
If you’re a homeowner
If your information was submitted to Permit Labs by a contractor or installer working on your project, please contact us at admin@permitlabs.ai with any questions.
1.3 Usage and device data
When you access the Platform, we automatically collect certain technical information, including IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, features used, referring URLs, and timestamps. We use cookies and similar technologies as described in Section 6.
1.4 Information from other sources
We may receive information about you from publicly available sources, government agencies and public records related to permitting, identity verification services, and our service partners.
How we use your information
We use the information we collect to provide, maintain, and improve our Services. This includes:
- Processing permit applications and filings on your behalf
- Operating the Platform and managing your account
- Communicating with you about your projects and account
- Processing payments and maintaining billing records
- Sending transactional notifications, including SMS, as described in Section 4
- Analyzing usage to improve the Platform and develop new features
- Training and improving our proprietary models, automated systems, and platform intelligence to enhance service quality, accuracy, and efficiency
- Ensuring security and preventing fraud
- Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
We may also use aggregated, de-identified, or anonymized information derived from your use of the Services for any lawful business purpose, including research, analytics, benchmarking, and the development of new products and technologies. Such information does not identify you personally and is not subject to the restrictions of this policy.
How we share your information
We do not sell your personal information.
We disclose information only in the circumstances described below.
3.1 Service providers
We share information with third-party service providers who perform functions on our behalf, such as payment processing, messaging and communications, cloud hosting and infrastructure, and analytics. These providers are contractually required to use your information only to provide services to us and in accordance with this policy.
3.2 Government agencies and regulatory bodies
Filing permits and interconnection applications is a core function of our Services. We submit project and property information to government agencies, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, utility companies, and HOAs as necessary to process your applications pursuant to the authorization you provide.
3.3 Legal requirements
We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Permit Labs, our users, or the public.
3.4 Business transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any change in ownership or control of your personal information.
SMS communications
If you opt in to receive text messages from Permit Labs, the following terms apply.
- What you’ll receive
- Transactional messages about your permit applications, including status updates, action-required alerts, and deadline reminders.
- Frequency
- Message frequency varies based on your permit activity.
- Cost
- Standard message and data rates from your carrier may apply.
- Marketing
- All SMS messages from Permit Labs are transactional. We do not send promotional texts.
Opt out at any time
Reply STOP to any message at any time. Text HELP for assistance, update your preferences in your account settings, or contact admin@permitlabs.ai. We honor the following opt-out keywords:
You will receive a single confirmation and no further messages unless you re-subscribe.
Consent & sharing
Opting in to SMS is not a condition of purchasing or using our Services. Your phone number is not sold, rented, or shared with third parties for their marketing purposes. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Data retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide our Services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Specific retention periods include:
- Account data
- Retained for the duration of your account and 12 months following closure.
- Project & property data
- Permit records, uploaded documents, homeowner information, and all project files are retained for the duration of the customer relationship and up to 7 years following project completion or account termination (whichever is later), consistent with construction industry record-keeping standards and our legitimate business interests.
- Billing records
- Retained for 7 years consistent with tax and financial obligations.
- SMS records
- Consent records and message logs are retained for as long as consent is active, plus 5 years following opt-out.
- Usage data
- Retained for up to 24 months, then aggregated or deleted.
Aggregated, de-identified, or anonymized data may be retained indefinitely.
Cookies and similar technologies
We use essential cookies required for Platform functionality, authentication, and security. We also use analytics cookies to understand how users interact with the Platform. We do not use advertising or behavioral tracking cookies. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, though disabling essential cookies may affect functionality.
Your choices and rights
Access and correction
You may access and update your account information through your account settings or by contacting admin@permitlabs.ai.
SMS opt-out
See Section 4.
Email opt-out
You may unsubscribe from non-essential emails at any time. Transactional emails related to your account and active services cannot be opted out of.
Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information by contacting admin@permitlabs.ai. Certain information may be retained as described in Section 5 to comply with legal obligations, maintain records of filings and transactions, resolve disputes, and protect our legitimate interests. Project data submitted to government agencies is not deletable from those agencies’ records.
State-specific rights
8.1 California (CCPA / CPRA)
California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used and disclosed, request deletion of personal information, opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (we do not sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising), correct inaccurate information, and be free from discrimination for exercising these rights. To submit a request, contact admin@permitlabs.ai. We will verify your identity and respond within 45 days.
- Categories collected
- Identifiers, commercial information, internet activity, professional information, and geolocation data.
- Categories disclosed
- Identifiers and commercial information, disclosed to payment processors, communications providers, and hosting providers for the business purposes described in this policy.
8.2 Other states
Residents of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Oregon, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, and other states with applicable privacy laws may have similar rights. Contact admin@permitlabs.ai to exercise your rights under applicable law.
Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, including encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security assessments. No method of electronic transmission or storage is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children
Our Services are intended for business professionals. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 (or under 16 in certain jurisdictions). If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated at least 30 days in advance through the Platform, email, or other appropriate channels. Continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your data? Reach out and we’ll get back to you.
Get in touch
We’ll respond within a few business days.