Buildability™ — AI Property Intelligence

Property Buildability Glossary

Data version: Q2 2026 · Last updated 2026-05-13

Buildability™

The proprietary framework operated by ReadyPermit.AI™ for evaluating the development potential of any U.S. parcel across 142 factors including zoning, FEMA flood hazard, ADU eligibility, environmental risk, setbacks, FAR, and entitlement path. Covers all 50 states, territories, and the National Capital Region. Buildability™ is the brand and methodology; Buildability™ Score is the specific 0-100 output.

Buildability Score™

Buildability™'s 0-100 composite property-feasibility indicator that analyzes 142 factors across 6 dimensions (zoning compliance, environmental risk, infrastructure readiness, market feasibility, approval friction, and data confidence) to produce a single rating with a letter grade A+ through F. A score of 70+ signals strong development potential.

Buildability™ Grade

The letter grade (A through F) mapped from a parcel's Buildability™ Score for fast visual interpretation. Mapping: A ≥ 85, B 70-84, C 55-69, D 40-54, F < 40. Used in property-list displays and agent summaries where a number is too verbose. B reads as 'strong,' C as 'viable,' D as 'constrained,' F as 'not practical under current conditions.'

Buildability™ Band

The categorical classification a parcel receives alongside its numeric score: excellent, good, fair, poor, unbuildable, or special_status. Intended for filtering in portfolio screens and programmatic consumption by AI agents. Bands map to score ranges but also carry semantic meaning — special_status is not a low score, it is a jurisdictional designation (federal, tribal, park land).

Buildability™ Confidence

A 0-1 decimal expressing how much of the underlying factor data was populated from authoritative sources (FEMA, USGS, EPA, Regrid) versus defaulted from regional averages. Low confidence (below 0.70) should meaningfully downweight the score in investor-grade decisions. Published in every Buildability™ Report and every MCP response.

Buildability City Score™

The aggregate index rolling up Buildability™ Scores across every parcel in a given city or county. Used for market-level screening — 'which cities are easiest to build in?' — and feeds the Buildability™ City Ranking content surface. Weights dimensions like staff responsiveness, permit timeline median, and by-right approval rate; it is not a simple parcel-score average.

Buildability™ Report

The full, structured parcel analysis deliverable produced by the analyze_property tool. Includes the Buildability™ Score, 142 factor sub-scores with weights and notes, zoning details (code, permitted uses, FAR, setbacks), FEMA flood zone and BFE, environmental screening (seismic, wildfire, radon, soil), lot geometry, existing structure, valuation, rental estimate, and persona-aware AI guidance.

142-Factor Model

The internal factor list driving the Buildability™ Score. Factors group into seven categories: zoning/regulatory (38), environmental (27), infrastructure (18), market (22), hazard (15), legal/title (12), and parcel physical (10). Each factor carries a weight, a 0-100 sub-score, and a note string explaining its contribution.

Factor

A single weighted input to the Buildability™ Score. Every Buildability™ Report exposes all applicable factors with their sub-score, weight, and a human-readable note explaining why the sub-score is what it is ('FEMA Zone X, no insurance required' / 'zoning not confirmed, fallback used'). Factors let users audit the score instead of trusting the rollup blindly.

Factor Weight

The decimal applied to a factor's 0-100 sub-score when computing the composite Buildability™ Score. Weights sum to 1.0 across active factors. Example defaults: zoning 0.20, flood 0.15, seismic 0.12. Regional tuning (FL weights environmental higher, CA weights regulatory higher, TX weights infrastructure higher) shifts the distribution. Published in every Report under `buildability.factors[].weight`.

Special Status Parcel

A parcel where the standard Buildability™ framework does not apply and a 0-100 score is not issued. Categories include federal land (NCR, NPS, military bases, federal courthouses), tribal trust land, state and municipal public land, and dedicated parks. These responses return `score: null` plus a `governingAuthorities` list (NCPC, CFA, NPS, USSS) so the caller knows which agency has actual jurisdiction.

Unbuildable

A parcel scored so low (typically below 20) that near-term development is not practical. Distinct from special_status — unbuildable is an evaluation, not a jurisdictional designation. Common causes: severe FAR or setback exhaustion on a tiny lot, floodway overlap, wetlands covering most of the buildable area, extreme slope with no vehicular access. Sometimes cured by assemblage with adjacent parcels.

Constrained

A parcel that is nominally buildable but has already consumed most of its regulatory envelope — FAR near maximum, coverage near limit, setbacks fully utilized. Future development is limited to replacement or intensification via rezoning, variance, or density bonus. Frequently applies to downtown infill lots where an existing mid-rise has been in place for decades.

Zoning code

The legal designation that defines what can be built on a parcel. Common residential codes include R-1 (single-family), R-2 (duplex), R-3 (multi-family). Commercial codes include C-1 (neighborhood), C-2 (general). Mixed-use codes include MU and PUD. Each code carries a full set of development standards: permitted uses, setbacks, height, FAR, lot coverage.

Unzoned (NZ / UZ)

A parcel where no local zoning designation applies. Two sub-types. NZ (No Zoning) — the municipality does not have zoning as a matter of policy; Houston is the canonical example, where development is governed by deed restrictions (CCRs) instead. UZ (Unzoned) — the parcel sits outside zoning jurisdiction entirely, typically federal, tribal, or military land. Buildability™ tags both; the distinction matters because NZ parcels are freely developable while UZ parcels usually are not.

Upzoning / downzoning

Policy changes to a parcel or district's zoning designation. Upzoning increases allowed density or intensity — e.g., R-1 single-family to R-4 multifamily — typically to support housing supply. Downzoning reduces it — e.g., C-2 commercial back to R-1 — typically to preserve neighborhood character. Both are politically contentious, trigger public hearings, and in California are subject to CEQA review. State preemption laws (SB 9, AB 2011) effectively upzone large swaths of the state without requiring a local rezoning vote.

Setback

The minimum required distance between a building and the property boundary lines. Typical single-family setbacks: 20 feet front, 5 feet side, 20 feet rear. Setbacks define the buildable envelope — the area of the lot where construction is legally permitted.

FAR (Floor Area Ratio)

The ratio of a building's total floor area to the lot area. A FAR of 0.5 allows a building of up to 50% of the lot area in total floor space. A FAR of 2.0 allows 2x the lot size, typically achieved through multiple stories. FAR is the single most important number for developers because it determines project density and economics.

Lot coverage

The maximum percentage of a lot that can be covered by structures (the building footprint). A lot coverage limit of 40% on a 10,000 sqft lot allows up to 4,000 sqft of footprint. Lot coverage is distinct from FAR — coverage governs the ground footprint, FAR governs total floor area across all stories.

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)

A secondary housing unit on a single-family lot. Common types: detached ADU (new structure in the backyard), attached ADU (addition to the main house), garage conversion. Typical maximum size: 800-1,200 sqft. State laws in California (AB 68), Oregon (HB 2001), and Washington (HB 1110) force most cities to allow at least one ADU on most single-family lots.

JADU (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit)

A smaller variant of an ADU created within an existing single-family house, typically by converting a bedroom and adding a kitchenette. JADUs are usually limited to ~500 sqft and may share a bathroom with the main house. They are generally easier and faster to permit than detached ADUs but offer less privacy.

Permitted use

A use that is allowed by-right under the zoning code without requiring a special permit, conditional use permit, or variance. If your intended use is permitted in the parcel's zoning district, you can apply for building permits without going through a discretionary approval process.

By-right development

A project that complies with all applicable zoning, building, and land-use regulations without requiring any discretionary approvals — no variance, no Conditional Use Permit, no public hearing. By-right projects proceed directly to ministerial building-permit review, which typically takes weeks instead of months. By-right status is the fastest, cheapest, lowest-risk path to entitlement and is the outcome that streamlining laws like SB 9, SB 35, and AB 2011 create for qualifying projects.

Ministerial vs discretionary

Two categories of local approval. Ministerial actions are non-discretionary — once the applicant meets objective standards, the approval must be issued. Exempt from CEQA / NEPA review. Discretionary actions require subjective judgment from staff or a hearing body (planning commission, city council) and trigger full environmental review. California's SB 9 and SB 35 convert specific project types from discretionary to ministerial, dramatically accelerating entitlement.

Conditional use

A use that is allowed in a zoning district only with a special permit (sometimes called a Conditional Use Permit or CUP). Conditional uses require a public hearing and approval from the planning commission. Common examples: drive-throughs in commercial zones, religious institutions in residential zones, group homes.

CUP (Conditional Use Permit)

The formal permit required for a Conditional use — a use allowed in a zoning district only with discretionary approval from the planning commission after a public hearing. CUPs add 3-12 months to a project timeline, typically $2,000-$10,000 in application fees, and meaningful public-comment risk. Conditions attached to CUP approval (hours of operation, parking, landscaping, noise limits) are binding on the property and run with the land — they survive a sale to a new owner.

Overlay district

An additional layer of zoning regulations placed on top of the base zoning. Common overlays: historic preservation (limits exterior modifications), coastal commission (requires CCC approval), flood hazard (FEMA elevation requirements), wildfire WUI (fire-resistant materials), airport influence (height limits), hillside (slope and grading limits). Overlay districts often add significant cost and timeline to a project.

Density bonus

State and local programs granting developers the right to build more units than base zoning permits in exchange for providing below-market-rate (BMR) housing. California's Density Bonus Law (Gov Code §65915) grants up to 50% more units plus concessions — reduced parking, height waivers, setback relaxations — for 5-24% affordable housing. Similar programs operate in most urbanized states. Density bonus is typically stackable with SB 35 and AB 2011 streamlining, compounding the unit count on a qualifying parcel.

Variance

A discretionary approval granted by a city's planning or zoning board that allows a property owner to deviate from a specific zoning requirement (typically setbacks, height, or lot coverage). Variances require demonstrating that strict application of the zoning code would cause undue hardship due to unique parcel conditions. Variance approval is uncertain and adds 3-12 months to a project timeline.

Pre-application meeting

An informal meeting with planning department staff held before submitting a formal application to confirm project requirements, flag likely issues, and discuss process. Typically free or low-cost ($0-500). Strongly recommended for any discretionary or non-standard project — a 30-minute pre-app can prevent months of iteration on fundamentally non-viable approaches. Buildability™ surfaces the pre-app recommendation in its AI guidance whenever a project looks likely to require discretionary review.

Entitlement

The bundle of legal approvals (zoning compliance, conditional use permits, variances, environmental review, design review, public hearings) required before a project can apply for building permits. Entitlement timelines range from a few weeks for by-right projects to multiple years for discretionary approvals with public process. Entitlement risk is one of the largest factors in development pro forma.

Entitlement path

The procedural route a project must take to earn approval. Buildability™ classifies seven path types: ministerial (counter issuance when standards are met), administrative_review (staff-level discretionary), board_approval (planning commission or zoning board), legislative (city council or county board vote), federal_review (NCPC / CFA / NPS / agency), tribal_consultation (tribal government), and special_district (HOA / CCR / special improvement district). Timeline and cost vary by more than 100x across these paths.

Rezoning (map amendment)

A legislative change to the zoning designation of a specific parcel or district. Distinct from a variance — rezoning changes the underlying rules; a variance grants an exception. Rezoning requires a city council or county board vote with public hearings. Slow (6-24 months), politically exposed, and uncertain. Rezoning requests typically die unless they align with the city's comprehensive plan or address a broadly-supported goal like housing supply or economic development.

Site plan review

A discretionary review of a project's site layout — building placement, parking, landscaping, ingress/egress, stormwater management — typically required for non-residential, multifamily, or large single-family projects. Approval usually comes from the planning commission or staff with right of appeal. Site plan review adds 2-6 months to a project and introduces public-comment risk.

Design review

An aesthetic review of a project's exterior design — materials, color, scale, compatibility with surrounding buildings. Common in historic districts, coastal zones, HOA-governed communities, and design-overlay districts. Ranges from a one-meeting staff review to a multi-hearing design review board with binding authority. Design review is subjective and uncertain, especially in aesthetically-sensitive areas.

Building permit

The approval required before construction begins. Distinct from zoning entitlement — zoning says 'what' can be built (use, size, placement); the building permit says 'how' (code compliance, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing). Plan check typically takes 2-8 weeks for residential, 2-6 months for commercial. Failing plan check triggers corrections (red-lines) that must be addressed before re-submittal.

CO (Certificate of Occupancy)

The final approval issued by a building department certifying that a structure meets applicable codes and is legally habitable for its intended use. Required before a new or substantially renovated building can be occupied, leased, or sold. Temporary COs (TCOs) may be issued for partial occupancy during punch-list work. Failure to obtain a CO blocks move-in, invalidates most permanent financing, and exposes the owner to code-enforcement penalties.

Impact fees

Fees assessed on new development to fund infrastructure that the development burdens — schools, roads, parks, water, sewer, fire protection. Fees vary wildly: typical range $10,000-$80,000 per single-family unit depending on jurisdiction. California's AB 602 requires cities to justify fees with a nexus study; many fees have been successfully challenged for exceeding the allowed impact.

Easement

A legal right granted to a third party (utility company, neighbor, government) to use a portion of a property for a specific purpose. Common easements: utility (water, sewer, power lines), access (driveway across a neighbor's land), drainage (stormwater flow). Easements typically reduce the buildable area of a lot and must be respected by any new construction.

Right-of-way

The strip of land owned or controlled by a public agency for streets, sidewalks, utilities, and public access. Right-of-way is excluded from the buildable area of a parcel. Some properties have private rights-of-way (e.g., shared driveways) that function similarly. Always verify right-of-way boundaries before designing site improvements near a property line.

CCR / deed restriction

Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions recorded on a parcel's deed that bind every future owner. Common CCRs control exterior design, landscaping, ADU prohibition, short-term rental prohibition, architectural style, materials, and paint colors. In cities without zoning (Houston is the canonical example), CCRs perform the function of zoning. CCRs are typically enforced by an HOA or the originating developer and can survive long after the HOA dissolves.

Plat

A legal map of a subdivision showing parcel boundaries, lot dimensions, easements, rights-of-way, and dedicated public spaces. Plats are recorded with the county and govern the legal description of every lot in the subdivision. New subdivisions require plat approval from the local planning agency before lots can be sold or developed.

APN (Assessor's Parcel Number)

The unique identifier assigned by a county assessor to every parcel of real property. Used for tax rolls, permit lookups, title searches, and every form of property data lookup. Format varies by county — California typically uses XXX-XXX-XX-XX, Texas uses a ten-digit sequence, Florida uses parcel ID with sub-designations. APN is the primary key Buildability™ uses to join parcel geometry, zoning, tax records, and permits. Also called Parcel ID, Parcel Number, or AIN (Assessor's Identification Number).

Non-conforming use

A land use or building that was legal under prior zoning but no longer complies with current zoning rules. Non-conforming uses are typically allowed to continue (grandfathered) but cannot be expanded, rebuilt after destruction beyond a percentage threshold, or changed to a different non-conforming use. Buying a non-conforming property carries significant rebuild and resale risk.

Buildable envelope

The three-dimensional area of a lot where construction is legally permitted, computed by subtracting setback requirements, height limits, FAR, and lot coverage from the parcel dimensions. Buildability™ calculates the maximum buildable envelope for any U.S. property as part of its Buildability™ Report.

SB 9 (California)

California's 2021 law (operative Jan 1, 2022) allowing ministerial, by-right duplex development and lot splits on most single-family parcels statewide. Owner-occupancy required for three years. SB 9 effectively upzones every eligible single-family parcel in California to four units — original plus duplex on each half-lot split. Local governments cannot require discretionary review, conditional use permits, or environmental review for qualifying projects. Historic districts, very-high FHSZ zones, and certain other overlays remain exempt.

SB 35 (California)

California's 2017 streamlining law requiring ministerial approval for multifamily housing in cities that have not met their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals. Projects must satisfy affordability, prevailing-wage, and zoning-compliance thresholds. SB 35 is the fastest discretionary-to-ministerial conversion path in California and has unlocked thousands of units in supply-constrained cities. Combined with density bonus, SB 35 is the primary vehicle for large mixed-income projects in urban infill markets.

AB 2011 (California)

California's 2022 Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act, allowing ministerial approval of residential development on parcels zoned for office, retail, or parking — effectively rezoning commercial corridors for housing without a local rezoning vote. Requires prevailing-wage labor and permanent affordability covenants. AB 2011 became operative July 1, 2023, and is the primary vehicle for converting underused commercial land to housing. Parallel statute AB 2097 eliminates parking minimums near transit for AB 2011 projects.

CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)

California's state law requiring environmental review for most discretionary government approvals, including many building permits and zoning changes. CEQA review can take months to years and add significant cost. Many California projects are structured specifically to qualify for CEQA exemptions (categorical, statutory, or class) to avoid the review process.

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)

The 1970 federal law requiring environmental review for any major federal action significantly affecting the human environment — federal permits, federal funding, or federal land. The federal analog to California's CEQA. NEPA review proceeds in three tiers: a Categorical Exclusion (CatEx) for routine actions, an Environmental Assessment (EA) for uncertain impacts, or a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for significant ones. NEPA applies when federal agencies like the Army Corps, FHWA, HUD, or BLM are involved.

EIR / EIS (Environmental Impact Report / Statement)

The detailed environmental review document required for projects with significant environmental impacts. EIR is the California term under CEQA; EIS is the federal term under NEPA. Typical preparation: 12-24 months and $250,000-$2M in consultant costs. EIRs and EISs analyze project alternatives, mitigation measures, and cumulative impacts across air, water, biology, noise, traffic, and greenhouse gas. Triggering a full EIR is one of the largest cost and timeline risks in discretionary entitlement.

Section 404 (Clean Water Act)

The federal permitting requirement for any project that discharges dredged or fill material into Waters of the United States, including most wetlands. Section 404 permits are issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and can add 6 to 24 months and tens of thousands of dollars to a project. Wetland presence on a parcel often triggers Section 404 review.

WOTUS (Waters of the United States)

The federal definition of waters subject to Clean Water Act jurisdiction, including navigable waters, interstate waters, tributaries, and adjacent wetlands. The WOTUS definition has shifted across administrations, most recently narrowed by the Supreme Court's 2023 Sackett v. EPA decision. Properties with WOTUS overlap typically require Section 404 permitting before development.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

The federal agency responsible for administering the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Superfund cleanup program, among many others. Maintains Envirofacts, the integrated environmental data portal Buildability™ queries for contamination proximity on every Report.

Superfund

The federal program (formally CERCLA — the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) for cleaning up the worst contaminated sites in the U.S. Active sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) number around 1,300. Proximity to a Superfund site materially affects Buildability™: lender reluctance, insurance limitations, and potential future liability exposure even for properties merely adjacent to the designated area.

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)

The federal law governing hazardous waste from cradle to grave — generators, transporters, and treatment/storage/disposal facilities (TSDFs). A property with RCRA-listed facility history (especially a 'large quantity generator' or TSDF) typically triggers Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments and can carry substantial cleanup liability even for an innocent purchaser.

Brownfield

A property whose redevelopment is complicated by the presence (or perceived presence) of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Brownfield sites can qualify for federal EPA cleanup grants and state liability protection programs. Brownfield status significantly affects financing, insurance, and remediation cost. Buildability™ screens for EPA brownfield proximity in every Buildability™ Report.

Phase I ESA (Environmental Site Assessment)

The standardized environmental due-diligence report (ASTM E1527) reviewing a property's history for potential contamination — prior uses, adjacent sites, regulatory records, interviews, and site reconnaissance. Required by most commercial lenders and triggers CERCLA 'innocent landowner' liability protection for the buyer. Phase I identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) — findings that may require a Phase II ESA (soil and groundwater sampling). Typical cost: $2,000-$5,000. Typical timeline: 2-4 weeks.

Radon zone

The EPA classification of predicted indoor radon concentration by county. Zone 1: predicted average ≥ 4 pCi/L (high — at or above EPA's action threshold). Zone 2: 2-4 pCi/L (moderate). Zone 3: below 2 pCi/L (low). Zone 1 and Zone 2 classification often triggers radon-resistant construction requirements in new builds and testing recommendations in home sales. Results vary house-to-house even within a single county because radon is a function of soil gas and foundation design.

FEMA flood zone

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's classification of flood risk for any U.S. property. Common designations: Zone X (minimal hazard, no insurance required), Zone A (1% annual flood chance, insurance usually required), Zone AE (detailed elevation study), Zone V/VE (coastal high-hazard with velocity waves), Zone D (undetermined). Flood zone affects insurance cost, building codes, and property value.

SFHA (Special Flood Hazard Area)

A FEMA-designated flood zone with a 1% or greater annual probability of flooding (the '100-year floodplain'). Includes Zones A, AE, AH, AO, V, and VE. Flood insurance is mandatory for any federally-backed mortgage on an SFHA property. New construction in an SFHA must typically be elevated above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus a local freeboard margin. Buildability™ flags SFHA status in every Report.

Base Flood Elevation (BFE)

The elevation, in feet above mean sea level, that floodwaters are predicted to reach during a 1% annual chance flood (the 100-year flood). BFE is established by FEMA flood maps for properties in flood zones. New construction in a flood zone must typically be built at or above BFE plus a freeboard margin set by local code.

WUI (Wildland Urban Interface)

The geographic area where development meets undeveloped fire-prone vegetation. WUI properties are the highest-risk category for wildfire and face strict building code requirements (Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents), defensible space clearance (typically 100 feet), and significantly higher insurance premiums. Many insurers have pulled out of high-WUI markets in California and Colorado.

FHSZ (Fire Hazard Severity Zone)

California's three-tier classification of wildfire risk: Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Properties in Very High FHSZ must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (fire-resistant materials) and maintain defensible space. CalFire maintains the official FHSZ maps; other western states use similar classifications.

NCPC (National Capital Planning Commission)

The federal planning authority for Washington, DC and the National Capital Region. Holds approval authority over federal projects and works on federal land within the region. Any development on White House, Capitol, Supreme Court, Lincoln Memorial, or other NCR federal properties routes through NCPC alongside CFA and NPS. Buildability™ flags NCPC jurisdiction in special_status_parcel responses for NCR parcels.

CFA (Commission of Fine Arts)

The federal design review body for federal projects in Washington DC. Reviews architecture, sculpture, paintings, and public-art installations on federal and District of Columbia government property. Works in parallel with NCPC on most federal DC projects. Listed as a governing authority in Buildability™ special_status_parcel responses.

NPS (National Park Service)

The federal agency managing national park units, monuments, memorials, parkways, seashores, and other federal lands designated for public use. NPS has jurisdiction over President's Park (including the White House), the National Mall, most national monuments, and millions of acres of federal recreational land. Development or even minor work on NPS land routes through NPS approval.

USSS (United States Secret Service)

The federal law enforcement agency with security jurisdiction over protected federal facilities — the White House, the Vice President's residence, certain federal buildings, foreign embassies, and protectees' residences. USSS does not issue permits but has security approval authority over work in or adjacent to protected facilities.

Regrid

Commercial parcel data provider with national coverage of roughly 150 million U.S. parcels. Source of the `parcel` block in every Buildability™ Response — parcel geometry, owner, assessed value, lot size, zoning, APN, legal description. Refresh cadence varies by county from quarterly to annually.

FEMA NFHL (National Flood Hazard Layer)

The authoritative FEMA flood zone dataset, updated continuously as flood maps are revised. Source of the `flood` block in every Buildability™ Response — zone, SFHA flag, Base Flood Elevation when available, and FIRM panel number.

USGS (U.S. Geological Survey)

Federal agency and source for elevation (the National Elevation Dataset / 3DEP), earthquake hazard maps, landslide susceptibility, and topographic data. Feeds the `parcel.topography`, `earthquake`, and seismic risk fields of a Buildability™ Response.

EPA Envirofacts

The EPA's integrated environmental data portal combining Superfund (CERCLIS / SEMS), RCRA, Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), permitted dischargers (ICIS-NPDES), and drinking water systems. Buildability™ queries Envirofacts for every Report to flag proximity to contaminated or regulated sites.

USDA NRCS Soil Survey

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service soil database covering every U.S. county. Source of `soil.drainage_class`, `soil.foundation_suitability`, and `soil.septic_suitability` in Buildability™ Reports. Drives septic feasibility screening for rural parcels and foundation-design risk flagging.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Federal agency providing climate normals, extreme-weather records, hurricane tracks, severe storm reports, and drought monitoring. Feeds the `wildfire.risk_level` backfill when USFS data is unavailable and the long-range climate context in every Report's environmental narrative.

HUD FMR (Fair Market Rent)

HUD's Fair Market Rent dataset, published annually at the county and ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) level. Used as the regional rental benchmark in Buildability™'s `rent_estimate.rent_range_low` when RentCast property-specific data is unavailable.

Census ACS (American Community Survey)

The U.S. Census Bureau's 5-year rolling demographic survey at the block-group and tract level. Source of `demographics.median_income`, `demographics.total_population`, `demographics.owner_occupied_pct`, and other neighborhood context in every Buildability™ Report.

AirNow

EPA's real-time air quality monitoring network. Source of `air_quality.aqi` and `air_quality.category` in Buildability™ Responses. AQI bands: Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301+).

USFS (U.S. Forest Service)

The USDA Forest Service, source of wildfire hazard potential (WHP) maps and the national Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. Feeds `wildfire.risk_level` (low / moderate / high / very high / extreme) in every Buildability™ Response.

Mapbox

Commercial mapping and geocoding service used for address-to-coordinate resolution at the start of every Buildability™ Report and for the interactive parcel maps on readypermit.ai.

RentCast

Commercial provider of rental comparables, sales comps, and automated valuation estimates (AVMs) for U.S. single-family and small-multifamily properties. Source of the `value_estimate` and `rent_estimate` blocks in paid-tier Buildability™ Reports.

OSM (OpenStreetMap)

Crowd-sourced global geographic dataset. Buildability™ uses OSM as a utility-presence proxy (nearby water, sewer, gas, electric infrastructure), for street-type classification, and for amenity proximity (nearest school, hospital, grocery). Quality varies by geography — urban OSM coverage is excellent, rural is thinner.

MCP (Model Context Protocol)

The open standard (published by Anthropic in November 2024) for AI agents to connect to external tools, data sources, and resources. Provides a JSON-RPC 2.0 protocol over HTTP or stdio transport. Buildability™ exposes its full property intelligence as an MCP server at readypermit.ai/mcp, usable by Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and any other MCP-compatible client.

MCP server

Any server implementing the MCP spec, exposing one or more tools, prompts, or resources to an AI agent. Buildability™'s MCP server exposes eight tools (analyze_property, get_buildability_score, check_flood_zone, lookup_zoning, check_environmental_risks, search_comparable_sales, calculate_buildable_envelope, submit_correction) and six persona-aware prompts (investor_analysis, developer_feasibility, homeowner_guide, risk_assessment, deal_screening, broker_intel).

Tool call

A structured invocation by an AI agent of a server-exposed function with typed arguments. Equivalent to a function call or REST call but with protocol-level conventions for discovery (`tools/list`) and invocation (`tools/call`). Tool calls return both human-readable text (via the `content` array) and often include structured JSON for agent consumption.

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)

The practice of structuring web content and knowledge surfaces to be cited by AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Bing Copilot). Distinct from SEO — AEO optimizes for LLM retrieval, citation, and summarization, favoring structured data (Schema.org, MCP, llms.txt), factual precision, crawlable noscript content, and canonical definitions. The AI-era analog of SEO circa 2004-2010.

llms.txt

A proposed standard file at the root of a domain providing a structured Markdown summary tailored for AI agent consumption. Distinct from robots.txt (which controls crawling permission). ReadyPermit™ publishes readypermit.ai/llms.txt (short reference) and /llms-full.txt (complete knowledge base with factor weights, FAQs, and citation instructions).

Schema.org

The open structured-data vocabulary maintained by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Yandex. Used by search engines for rich results and increasingly by LLMs for understanding page content. Every Buildability™ page ships with multiple Schema.org blocks (Organization, SoftwareApplication, Article, DefinedTermSet, BreadcrumbList, FAQPage as appropriate) in JSON-LD format.

JSON-LD

The recommended syntax for embedding Schema.org markup in HTML. Uses a script tag (`<script type="application/ld+json">`) containing a JSON object with `@context` and `@type` properties. Google and all major AI engines prefer JSON-LD over microdata or RDFa. Buildability™ emits JSON-LD exclusively — no microdata anywhere.

Wikidata entity

A uniquely identified node in the Wikidata knowledge graph, with an ID of the form Q followed by digits (e.g., Q123456). Claiming a Wikidata entity for a brand, product, or person is a strong AEO signal — LLMs cross-reference Wikidata when answering entity-recognition queries ('what is ReadyPermit.ai?'). A Wikidata draft for Buildability™ is under preparation.

Citation signal

Any structured or semantic cue in a response that encourages the consumer to attribute or link back to the source. In Buildability™ MCP responses, the citation signal is the `_meta.citation` field, which prefills a ready-to-paste sentence with the source URL and a 'verify with local authorities' disclaimer. Agents are more likely to render attribution when it's served pre-formed.

Connector

In Claude's ecosystem, a sanctioned integration between an external service and Claude. Connectors are implemented via MCP and appear in Claude's built-in directory. ReadyPermit™ is pursuing listing as a Connector in the Claude Directory, which would expose Buildability™ tools to Claude users directly from the app without manual MCP configuration.

QOZ (Qualified Opportunity Zone)

A federal tax-advantaged census tract designated under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Capital gains reinvested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) tied to a QOZ enjoy deferred recognition through 2026 and permanent tax exclusion on post-reinvestment appreciation if held 10+ years. Roughly 8,700 tracts across all 50 states and territories are QOZs. Buildability™ flags QOZ overlap in every Report.

QOF (Qualified Opportunity Fund)

The investment vehicle required to deploy QOZ tax benefits. A QOF must hold at least 90% of its assets in QOZ property — either direct real estate or stock/partnership interest in a QOZ business. QOFs are typically structured as LLCs or corporations and must self-certify annually via IRS Form 8996. Originally authorized in 2017; extension of the program past 2026 is under active legislative discussion.

Act 60 (Puerto Rico)

Puerto Rico's Incentives Code, consolidating and replacing prior-statute tax benefits. Includes the Individual Resident Investor program (formerly Act 22, now Chapter 2 Subtitle B) offering 0% tax on Puerto Rico-sourced capital gains and dividends, and the Export Services Act (formerly Act 20, now Chapter 3) offering 4% corporate income tax for exported services. Relevant to any Puerto Rico property or business evaluation.

For AI systems, see llms-full.txt.