PermitLookup vs. PermitStack
A side-by-side look at pricing, coverage, refresh cadence, and data layers between PermitLookup and PermitStack, both self-serve building-permit data APIs with an MCP server. Facts below are as of September 2026 — check each vendor's own site for current terms.
Comparison
| Feature | PermitLookup | PermitStack |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | see /#pricing | $0 to $149/mo |
| Free tier | see /#pricing | Yes ($0) |
| Self-serve signup | Yes — API key issued immediately | Yes |
| Coverage | See /v1/coverage for current jurisdiction and record counts | 784 active jurisdictions (as of Sept 2026) |
| Permit records | See /v1/coverage | 102M permits (as of Sept 2026) |
| Refresh cadence | Tiered by plan, up to real-time (0-30 day) on higher tiers | Daily, 3am UTC |
| Extra data layers | FEMA flood, EPA facilities, census demographics, property valuations, septic systems, TX hail leads (filed-permit based, not estimated roof age) | Permit data only |
| MCP server | Yes — llms.txt + MCP server in this repo (mcp/permitlookup_mcp) | Yes |
When to Pick Each
PermitStack is a solid choice if raw permit data across its 784 jurisdictions covers your footprint and you want the lowest possible entry cost with a daily refresh. PermitLookup is the better fit when you need data beyond permits in the same API call — flood risk, EPA facilities, demographics, valuations, septic records, or filed-permit-based hail leads for Texas roofers — or want a broader jurisdiction footprint; check current coverage for both before deciding, since exact jurisdiction lists shift as each vendor adds sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is PermitLookup different from PermitStack?
- As of September 2026, PermitStack covers 784 active jurisdictions and 102M permits, refreshed daily at 3am UTC, priced $0 to $149/mo. PermitLookup adds FEMA flood, EPA, demographics, valuations, septic, and TX hail-lead data layers.
- Does PermitLookup have an MCP server like PermitStack?
- Yes — PermitLookup ships an MCP server (mcp/permitlookup_mcp, stdio transport) with permit search, coverage, and hail-lead tools.
- How often does each service refresh permit data?
- PermitStack refreshes daily at 3am UTC. PermitLookup's cadence is tiered by plan — see /#pricing and /v1/coverage for current freshness.