Creating Alerts

AI-powered alerts automatically monitor NYC permit filings and notify you when new permits match your criteria.

What Are Alerts?

Saved searches that continuously monitor new permit filings. Get notified when new permits match your criteria.

Use Cases

• Monitor Competitors: Get notified when specific companies file permits
• Track Locations: Watch construction activity in specific neighborhoods
• Find Opportunities: Discover projects matching your services
• Market Research: Track trends in permit types, costs, or locations
• Compliance: Monitor permits for regulatory purposes

Creating Your First Alert

Step 1: Navigate to Alerts

Click Alerts in the left navigation to open the alerts page.

Step 2: Click Create New Alert

Find the Create New Alert button at the top of the page.

Step 3: Write Your Query

Describe what you want to monitor in natural language:

Good Examples (Specific):

Groundbreaking filings for new buildings in Manhattan over $5M

Why good: Specifies "groundbreaking filings" not just "new building" type, which would match ALL new building filings including status updates

Major alterations in Manhattan over $1M

Sprinkler permits in buildings over 10 stories in Brooklyn

Projects by ABC Construction Company in Queens

Residential alterations in Williamsburg under $500K

Vague Examples (Will Match Too Much):

New building construction

Problem: Matches ALL new building filings, not just groundbreaking

Interesting permits

Problem: Too subjective, AI can't determine "interesting"

Big projects

Problem: What's "big"? No clear criteria

Construction stuff

Problem: Matches everything

Step 4: Configure Notifications

Choose how you want to be notified:

Email Notifications

• Enabled by default
• Receives match notifications at your account email
• Add additional email addresses if needed
• Customize frequency (immediate, daily digest, weekly digest)

Webhook Notifications (Advanced)

• Send match data to your own API endpoint
• Useful for integrations with other tools
• Requires webhook URL and optional authentication

Step 5: Review & Create

1. Review your alert query
2. Check notification settings
3. Click Create Alert

The alert is now active and will start matching new permits immediately.

Alert Examples by Industry

For Contractors

Monitor Competitors:

All permits filed by [Competitor Name]

Find Similar Projects:

Plumbing work in Manhattan over $100K

Target Market:

Residential alterations in Brooklyn and Queens

For Developers

Location Research:

New buildings in DUMBO or Williamsburg

Market Analysis:

Mixed-use developments over $5M in Manhattan

Development Opportunities:

Demolitions of existing buildings in prime locations

For Researchers

Trend Tracking:

All commercial permits in NYC over $10M

Data Collection:

New building permits with 20+ residential units

Compliance Monitoring:

Alterations requiring special inspections

Advanced Query Techniques

Multiple Criteria

Combine multiple conditions:

New buildings in Manhattan or Brooklyn over $2M with 5+ stories

Specific Work Types

Target specific construction activities:

Facade work and Local Law 11 compliance inspections

Company + Location

Monitor specific companies in specific areas:

Projects by XYZ Corp in the Financial District

Cost Ranges

Use cost parameters:

Alterations between $500K and $2M

Date-Based (Coming Soon)

Permits filed in the last 30 days for new construction

Alert Availability

Free Tier

• ❌ No alerts available
• Must upgrade to create alerts

Premium Tier ($19-149/month)

• ✅ Unlimited alerts
• ✅ AI-powered matching
• ✅ Email notifications
• ✅ Webhook notifications
• ✅ Priority support

How Alert Matching Works

Real-Time Processing

1. NYC DOB data imported continuously
2. AI analyzes each new permit
3. AI determines if permit matches your alert query
4. Each match receives a confidence score (0-100)
5. You're notified based on your preferences

Match Quality

Matches include:

• Match Score: Confidence rating (0-100)
• Match Reason: AI explanation of why it matched
• Permit Details: Full permit information

False Positives

AI matching is very accurate but not perfect:

• Review match reasons to verify relevance
• Provide feedback on matches (thumbs up/down)
• Refine your query if needed

Testing Your Alert

After creating an alert:

1. Go to Matching Permits Timeline tab
2. View recent matches for your alert
3. Check if results align with your intent
4. Edit alert query if needed

Notification Management

Email Settings

Control when you receive emails:

• Immediate: Email for every match (high-volume alerts only)
• Daily Digest: One email per day with all matches
• Weekly Digest: One email per week with summary

Managing Email Overload

If you're getting too many notifications:

1. Refine Your Query: Make it more specific
2. Change Frequency: Switch to daily or weekly digest
3. Pause Alert: Temporarily disable without deleting
4. Add Filters: Include cost thresholds or location limits

Next Steps

• Write Effective Queries - Master the query syntax
• Manage Alerts - Edit, pause, or delete alerts
• Understanding Matches - Interpret match results

Ready to create your first alert? Go to Alerts Page → (opens in a new tab)