Welcome to Permit Guide

Written By Kevin Ruth

Last updated 2 months ago

Permit Guide is an AI tool built specifically to help with permitting. It's designed to help you answer permit questions faster, whether you're responding to emails, looking up code requirements, or helping someone at the counter.

This isn't a generic chatbot. It only knows what we've taught it using your jurisdiction's actual data - including codes, guidelines, GIS data, and permit history. Think of it as a research assistant that reads faster than you can.

What you get

You have access to two AI assistants:

  1. Email assistant - Drafts a clear, code-cited reply to permitting inquiries in seconds, right inside Outlook.

  2. Chat assistant - Ask questions about codes, zoning, processes, and more. It answers based on your jurisdiction's data, not general internet knowledge.

Logging in for the first time

When an administrator adds you, you'll get an email inviting you to Permit Guide. Open it and use the sign-in link to get into your account — there's no separate password to set up.

Tip: Sign-in links are one-time and expire after a short while. If yours doesn't work, just request a fresh one from the login page.

Signing in

Go to your Permit Guide URL and sign in one of these ways:

  • Magic link - Enter your email and we'll send you a one-time sign-in link. Nothing to remember.

  • Email and password - If your account has a password, enter it directly.

  • Microsoft account - If your jurisdiction uses Microsoft sign-in, click "Continue with Microsoft" to use your work credentials.

Bookmark the login page so you can get back to it easily.

Once you're in, you'll land on the Chat Assistant, with everything else in the left sidebar.

Can't log in?

See Troubleshooting for help with common login issues.

How is this different from ChatGPT?

Every answer references your jurisdiction's approved data sources, which may include:

  • Building codes (ICC, fire codes, and more)

  • Website content (guidelines, instructions, operating procedures)

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

  • Permit history from your permit system of record

Every answer includes source citations so you can verify against your jurisdiction's actual requirements.

Tip: Contact your department administrator or your Govstream.ai representative to get a full list of connected data sources.

Transparency and feedback

  • All inputs and outputs are auditable

  • Your department can review interactions regularly

  • You can give feedback on any answer

The AI can still make mistakes, so always verify important information, and your feedback helps us improve.

Next steps