About
PermitGuard replaces slow, expensive pre-permit consulting with an AI-driven review system that mirrors the structure of a real permit review firm. By uploading PDF drawings — architectural, structural, MEP, civil, and specifications — users trigger a parallel analysis by discipline-specific AI agents trained on 12 major code families: IBC, IRC, NEC, NFPA, ADA, and municipal amendments. Each sheet is automatically classified by discipline, reviewed by the appropriate specialist agent, and then passed through an internal quality-validation layer before results are delivered. The platform checks over 500 individual building code requirements, covering areas such as foundation and framing, lateral force-resisting systems, occupancy classification, means of egress, fire-rated assemblies, HVAC and ventilation, electrical service, plumbing fixture counts, setbacks, lot coverage, and accessibility. Findings are ranked by severity and include direct code citations and confidence ratings so teams know exactly what to address. PermitGuard is built for developers, architects, engineers, and construction firms that need to reduce permit revision cycles, avoid surprise resubmissions, and cut pre-permit consulting costs. The free tier lets new users run analyses without a credit card, making it accessible to small firms and solo practitioners as well as large enterprise teams managing multiple concurrent projects.
Key Features
- 500+ Building Code Checks: Automatically checks plans against more than 500 individual requirements across 12 code families including IBC, IRC, NEC, NFPA, and ADA, as well as local municipal amendments.
- Discipline-Specific AI Agents: Specialist agents review each discipline in parallel — structural, life safety, MEP systems, and site & zoning — mirroring the structure of a professional permit review firm.
- Quality-Validated Compliance Reports: All findings pass through an internal validation layer before delivery, resulting in scored, prioritized reports with specific code citations and confidence ratings.
- Unlimited Resubmissions: After addressing flagged issues, users can re-run their plans as many times as needed before submitting to the municipality, reducing costly revision cycles.
- Automatic Sheet Classification: Uploaded PDF drawings are automatically identified and sorted by discipline so the correct specialist agent reviews each set without manual configuration.
Use Cases
- An architect uploads a full permit drawing set to identify code violations before submitting to the municipality, avoiding costly resubmissions.
- A real estate developer runs a compliance check on plans for a mixed-use building to reduce pre-permit consulting fees and accelerate the project timeline.
- A structural engineer validates load path and seismic design compliance against IBC requirements as part of their internal QA process before signing off.
- A small AEC firm uses PermitGuard to provide clients with preliminary code compliance reports without investing in expensive third-party consulting.
- A general contractor reviews MEP coordination drawings against NEC and NFPA requirements to catch cross-discipline conflicts before construction begins.
Pros
- Dramatically Faster Turnaround: Delivers a full compliance analysis in minutes compared to weeks of waiting for municipal review or consultant feedback, keeping project timelines on track.
- Significant Cost Savings: Reduces or eliminates expensive pre-permit consulting fees by surfacing potential issues before they reach the municipality.
- Comprehensive Code Coverage: Covers 12 major code families and local amendments in a single pass, removing the burden of manually cross-referencing complex, jurisdiction-specific requirements.
- No-Code Workflow: Simple PDF upload interface requires no technical expertise, making it accessible to architects, engineers, and developers without any integration overhead.
Cons
- Niche Use Case: Designed exclusively for construction and permitting workflows, so it offers no value outside the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
- Not a Licensed Professional Substitute: AI-generated findings should be validated by a licensed engineer or architect before relying on them for final permit submission in high-stakes or complex projects.
- Pricing Transparency: Beyond the free analysis tier, detailed pricing plans are not publicly listed, making it harder to budget for ongoing or high-volume use without contacting sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which building codes does PermitGuard check?
PermitGuard checks over 500 requirements across 12 code families including the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA fire codes, ADA accessibility standards, and applicable local municipal amendments.
How long does a compliance review take?
Most reviews are completed within minutes. Discipline-specific AI agents run in parallel, so even multi-sheet project sets are analyzed significantly faster than traditional consulting or municipal review timelines.
Is PermitGuard free to use?
Yes, PermitGuard includes free analyses with no credit card required to get started. Paid plans are available for higher-volume or ongoing professional use.
What file types can I upload?
PermitGuard accepts PDF drawings including architectural, structural, MEP, civil, and specification documents. Sheets are automatically classified by discipline upon upload.
Can PermitGuard replace a professional permit consultant?
PermitGuard is designed to complement, not replace, licensed professionals. It surfaces potential compliance issues early so that consultants and engineers can focus their expertise on resolving flagged items rather than performing initial discovery reviews.
