How does Shovels integrate with Esri ArcGIS?

Shovels delivers building permit data as hosted feature layers in ArcGIS. The geodatabase containing 185M+ building permits is accessible directly within your existing ArcGIS workflows, including ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro.

What can I do with geospatial permit data?

Geospatial permit data supports site selection, market intelligence, competitive monitoring, and investment risk assessment. Building permits are the earliest signal of market activity, letting you see future developments before construction begins.

How many permits are in the Shovels geodatabase?

The Shovels geodatabase contains over 185M+ geocoded building permits from across the United States, each enriched with AI-derived attributes and linked to contractor and property records.

Does Shovels include parcel data for GIS users?

Yes. Through the Regrid partnership, Shovels integrates parcel data with permit records using linked address identifiers. This enables combined property and permit analysis for enhanced site selection and market intelligence.

Who uses Shovels GIS data?

Shovels GIS data is used by real estate investors, site selection analysts, utility companies, building material suppliers, government agencies, and academic researchers who need geospatial construction activity intelligence.

Shovels | Geospatial Building Permit Intelligence

Geospatial intelligence for the building trades

The earliest, most accurate signal of market growth

Building permits are inherently geospatial objects that provide the earliest signal of market activity. Use them to see future developments first, optimize site selection, and de-risk major investments. ArcGIS Web Map

See future developments first.: Building permits are the earliest signal of market activity. Track permit applications and approvals to identify emerging development patterns before construction begins.
Optimize site selection.: Analyze construction activity patterns to identify optimal locations for your business. Use permit density and contractor activity to understand market dynamics.
De-risk major investments.: Use geospatial permit data to assess market conditions and construction activity before making significant investments in new markets or locations.
Esri ArcGIS compatibility.: Access Shovels data as hosted feature layers in ArcGIS. Our geodatabase with 185M+ building permits is ready for integration with your existing GIS workflows.
Market intelligence.: Track construction activity by geography, property type, and contractor to understand market trends and identify emerging opportunities in your target areas.
Competitive intelligence.: Monitor competitor activity by tracking their permit applications and construction projects. Identify where competitors are expanding and what types of projects they're pursuing.

Geospatial building permit data

The construction activity intelligence platform

We built the most comprehensive geospatial database of building permits in the market, enabling you to see what's getting built and where, before anyone else.

Geographic search: Search by zip code, city, county or custom area using our geo_id system. Each geography includes detailed construction metrics and permit density analysis.
Site selection intelligence: Identify optimal locations by analyzing construction activity patterns, permit density, and contractor presence in your target markets.
Market growth signals: Track permit applications and approvals to identify emerging development patterns and market growth before construction begins.
ArcGIS integration: Access Shovels data as hosted feature layers in ArcGIS. Our geodatabase with 185M+ building permits is ready for your existing GIS workflows.
Competitive monitoring: Track competitor activity by monitoring their permit applications and construction projects across your target geographies.
Risk assessment: Use geospatial permit data to assess market conditions and construction activity before making significant investments in new markets.
Parcel integration: Combine permit data with parcel information through our Regrid partnership for enhanced property analysis and site selection capabilities.
Customer support: We're here to help you with any questions about integrating geospatial permit data into your workflows. Our team specializes in GIS and location intelligence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Shovels integrate with Esri ArcGIS?: Shovels delivers building permit data as hosted feature layers in ArcGIS. The geodatabase containing 185M+ building permits is accessible directly within your existing ArcGIS workflows, including ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro.
What can I do with geospatial permit data?: Geospatial permit data supports site selection, market intelligence, competitive monitoring, and investment risk assessment. Building permits are the earliest signal of market activity, letting you see future developments before construction begins.
How many permits are in the Shovels geodatabase?: The Shovels geodatabase contains over 185M+ geocoded building permits from across the United States, each enriched with AI-derived attributes and linked to contractor and property records.
Does Shovels include parcel data for GIS users?: Yes. Through the Regrid partnership, Shovels integrates parcel data with permit records using linked address identifiers. This enables combined property and permit analysis for enhanced site selection and market intelligence.
Who uses Shovels GIS data?: Shovels GIS data is used by real estate investors, site selection analysts, utility companies, building material suppliers, government agencies, and academic researchers who need geospatial construction activity intelligence.

Building permits as geospatial intelligence

The earliest, most accurate signal of market growth

The construction activity intelligence platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our geospatial building permit intelligence now