What is a Jurisdiction?

In the context of Shovels data, a jurisdiction refers to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - the governmental body responsible for issuing building permits in a specific geographic area. This is typically either a county or a city government. Jurisdictions play a crucial role in the construction permitting process as they establish and enforce building codes, conduct inspections, and maintain official records of construction activities. Nationwide, there are approximately 20,000 different jurisdictions, each with their own specific requirements, processes, and data formats. Shovels has standardized data from over 1,400 jurisdictions, covering approximately 80% of the US population. Understanding which jurisdiction governs a particular property is essential for contractors and service providers, as it determines which rules apply and which office must approve permits. Shovels maintains a comprehensive list of all jurisdictions we cover, which is available on our blog.