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If your search is returning fewer results than expected, the most common causes are limited jurisdiction coverage, filters that are too narrow, recent permits not yet indexed (1–2 month lag), or limited digitization in the local jurisdiction. Most have easy workarounds.

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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

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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.

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3. Recent Permits May Not Be Indexed Yet

Shovels data updates monthly, with 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 next month
  • For time-sensitive needs, contact support@shovels.ai and we can check the pipeline

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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

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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
We’ll investigate and let you know what’s happening.