Check the Coverage Signals First
When you pick a location and a complete date range, Shovels Online checks how well each filterable field is actually reported in that area for that period — and tells you before you run the search.
Disabled filters are left out of the search even when a value is still showing in the panel, so a greyed-out filter never quietly narrows your results.
If the area and period contain no permits at all, Shovels Online blocks the search and asks you to change the location or dates instead of returning an empty list.
When a banner appears above your results warning that matches may be incomplete, its Review action jumps straight to the filter responsible and highlights it.
These signals are specific to the area and the date range you selected. The same filter can be reliable in one city and unavailable in another, or reliable for recent years and unavailable further back.
1. The Area Has Limited Coverage
Shovels covers approximately 2,000 jurisdictions representing about 85% of the US population. Some cities and counties are not yet in our system, and coverage density varies by region. What to do:- Check the Coverage Dashboard to see what’s available in your area
- Try broadening your search to county or state level
- Coverage expands monthly — an area with thin data today may improve in coming months
2. Your Filters Are Too Narrow
Shovels Online uses AND logic, so the more filters you apply, the smaller your result set. A search for a specific permit type, in a specific city, within a specific date range can return very few results even in well-covered areas. What to do:- Remove one filter at a time and see where results increase
- Broaden the date range
- Search at zip code or county level instead of city
- Try a permit type tag (e.g.
solar) instead of a keyword
The search system does not account for typos or terminology variations. Contractors may use different abbreviations (like “SFR” instead of “single family residence”), so try alternatives.
3. Recent Permits May Not Be Indexed Yet
Shovels refreshes data twice a month, and there is a typical 1–2 month lag between when a permit is issued and when it appears in Shovels. Permits filed in the last 4–8 weeks may not be visible yet. What to do:- If you’re looking for very recent activity, check back after the next refresh
- For time-sensitive needs, contact support@shovels.ai and we can check the pipeline
4. The Jurisdiction Uses Limited Digitization
Even within covered jurisdictions, some local governments have incomplete or inconsistently formatted permit records. This can result in sparse data for specific cities or permit types. What to do:- Email support@shovels.ai with the specific jurisdiction — we can investigate and flag it for improvement
Still Not Finding What You Need?
Email support@shovels.ai with:- The specific area or jurisdiction you’re searching
- The permit type or contractor you’re looking for
- What results you expected vs. what you got