Resolving Addresses
The critical first step in accessing permit data through the API
Address resolution is the essential first step in using Shovels' API effectively. Always begin by resolving the address through our Address Search API endpoint: https://api.shovels.ai/v2/addresses/search. This endpoint searches for addresses that are associated with permits in our system and returns standardized address information along with a unique geo_id. The geo_id serves as the key to unlocking permit data in subsequent API calls. If you query an address that doesn't have any associated permits in our database, the API will return a 200 OK response with an empty items array, indicating the address was understood but no permit data exists. For optimal results, provide as much address information as possible in your query, including street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code. Our system uses multiple verification sources to standardize addresses, ensuring consistent results even when input formats vary. This standardization process is particularly valuable in the construction industry, where address formatting can be inconsistent across different jurisdictions and permit applications.