Glossary
Definitions of key terms used throughout Plotwise and permit tracking.
This glossary defines key terms used in Plotwise and the construction permit industry.
Plotwise Terms
Active Permit Slot
A slot in your subscription that tracks one permit with notifications. When you add a permit to your Watchlist, it uses one active slot. Removing a permit frees the slot for another permit.
Condition
A saved search criterion used by Portfolio and Radar to automatically find permits. Conditions can search by company name, license number, person name, or geographic location.
Event Scope
A category of permit changes that can trigger notifications. Examples include status changes, fee updates, inspections, and conditions/comments. You configure which scopes generate alerts.
Organization
A workspace in Plotwise representing a business entity. Organizations have their own watchlist, team members, billing, and settings. Users can belong to multiple organizations.
Portfolio
A feature that automatically discovers permits filed by entities you track regularly—contractors, companies, or individuals you work with. Portfolio helps you catch new permits from known entities.
Priority Status
Plotwise's predictive indicator showing how likely a permit is to receive updates soon. Values include Wait, Approaching, Expect Update, Overdue (Hot/Warm/Cold), Checked, Stale, and Dead.
Radar
A feature for discovering new permits in geographic areas you define. Radar helps with business development by finding potential clients or projects nearby.
Seat
A user account within an organization. Subscription plans include a certain number of seats. Each team member needs one seat to access the organization.
Watchlist
Your actively tracked permits. Adding a permit to your Watchlist enables notifications and detailed tracking. Watchlist size is limited by your subscription's permit slots.
Permit Industry Terms
Approved
A permit status indicating the jurisdiction has approved the application. The permit may still require fee payment or other steps before being "Issued."
Building Permit
An official permit required before constructing, altering, or demolishing a building. Ensures compliance with building codes, zoning, and safety regulations.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
A document issued by the jurisdiction certifying that a building complies with all codes and is safe for occupancy. Required before a building can be legally occupied.
Conditions of Approval
Requirements that must be met for a permit to be approved or before work can proceed. May include design changes, additional documentation, or third-party approvals.
Contractor
A licensed professional who performs construction work. Contractors typically pull permits on behalf of property owners.
Correction Notice
A document from the jurisdiction listing issues that must be addressed before a permit can be approved. Also called "plan check comments" or "review comments."
FEI Number
Florida Entity Identification number. A unique identifier assigned to business entities registered in Florida.
Final Inspection
The last inspection on a permit, typically required before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Verifies all work is complete and complies with approved plans.
Folio Number
A unique property identifier used in some jurisdictions, particularly in Florida. Also called parcel number or PIN (Parcel Identification Number).
Inspection
An examination by a jurisdiction inspector to verify work complies with approved plans and building codes. Multiple inspections typically required throughout construction.
Issued
A permit status indicating the permit is officially active and work may legally begin. Typically occurs after approval and fee payment.
Jurisdiction
A government authority that issues and regulates permits. Usually a city, county, or special district. Different jurisdictions have different requirements and processes.
License Number
A unique identifier for a contractor's professional license. Used to verify contractor qualifications and track their permit history.
Owner-Builder
A property owner who acts as their own contractor, pulling permits and overseeing construction themselves rather than hiring a licensed contractor.
Parcel Number
See Folio Number. A unique identifier for a piece of real property.
Permit Expediter
A professional who helps clients navigate the permit process. Expediters handle submissions, communicate with jurisdictions, and track permit progress.
Permit Number
The unique identifier assigned to a permit application by the jurisdiction. Format varies by jurisdiction (e.g., "BLD-24-001234").
Plan Check
The review process where jurisdiction staff examine submitted plans for code compliance. May result in corrections being required.
Plan Review
See Plan Check.
Permit Type
The category of work a permit covers. Common types include Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, and various specialty permits.
Property Owner
The legal owner of the property where permitted work will occur. Typically listed on the permit application.
Revision
Changes to previously submitted plans. Revisions may be required after plan check comments or requested by the applicant.
Sub-Permit
A permit for a specific trade (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) that's associated with a master building permit. Sub-permits are often pulled by specialized contractors.
Trade Permit
A permit for specific trade work such as electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. May be standalone or associated with a building permit.
Valuation
The estimated cost of the permitted work. Used by jurisdictions to calculate permit fees and for statistical purposes.
Status Terms
Active
A permit that is currently in process—not yet completed, expired, or withdrawn.
Closed
A permit that has been administratively closed by the jurisdiction. May occur after final inspection or due to expiration.
Expired
A permit that is no longer valid because work wasn't completed within the allowed timeframe. May require renewal or new application.
Hold
A permit status indicating processing has been paused. May be due to missing information, policy issues, or applicant request.
Pending
A permit status indicating the application has been received but review hasn't started yet.
Withdrawn
A permit that has been cancelled at the applicant's request before completion.
Jurisdiction-Specific Terms
Different jurisdictions may use unique terminology. Contact your specific jurisdiction for local definitions.
Common Regional Variations
| Standard Term | Regional Variations |
|---|---|
| Plan Check | Plan Review, Building Review |
| Corrections | Comments, Deficiencies, Issues |
| Approved | Ready for Issuance, Permit Ready |
| Folio Number | Parcel ID, PIN, APN |
| Inspection | Field Check, Site Visit |