Using the chat assistant

Written By Kevin Ruth

Last updated 2 months ago

The chat assistant answers permitting questions using your city's own data sources.

Getting started

  1. Go to your Permit Guide URL (e.g., [your-city].govstream.app)

  2. The Chat Assistant is your home page, so you'll see it right away

  3. Type your question and press Enter

  4. Optionally, enter an address in the project context sidebar to pull in GIS information

What it knows

The chat assistant pulls from the relevant data sources that have been configured by your department, which may include:

  • Building codes (ICC, fire codes, plumbing, mechanical, etc.)

  • Website content (guidelines, instructions, operating procedures)

  • GIS data from your mapping system (zoning, critical areas, lot coverage)

  • Permit History from your permitting system of record

Every answer includes citations so you can click through to the original source and verify it yourself.

Adding an address for context

Many permitting questions depend on where you're building. Setbacks, lot coverage, and critical area rules all vary by location.

To get location-specific answers:

  1. Type an address in chat message to the Assistant

  2. The map appears, showing lot size, critical areas, and zoning

  3. All answers now reference that location's data

Update the address anytime by typing a new one.

Reviewing past conversations

All your chat sessions are saved automatically. To find a previous conversation:

  1. Click Chat History in the left sidebar

  2. Browse the list or use filters to find what you're looking for

  3. Click any conversation to reopen it

Each row shows:

  • The conversation topic (auto-generated from your first question)

  • The address, if one was provided

  • When the conversation happened

This is useful when you need to reference something you asked before, or pick up where you left off on a complex question.

Note: Administrators in your department may be able to view your conversations for quality review.

Giving feedback

If an answer isn't right, let us know:

  1. Click Feedback below the response (or Perfect to flag a good answer)

  2. Pick a tag — Incorrect facts or Missing info — and add any details

Your feedback helps us fix problems faster.

Good to know

  • The AI can make mistakes, so double-check anything important by clicking the citations

  • Specific questions get better answers than vague ones

  • Add an address for any location-dependent question