Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

California Permit Guide ("we", "our", or "us"), operating at buildpermits.net, respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your rights regarding your personal data.

By using our Site or submitting your information through our forms, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Site or provide us with your personal information.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you submit a lead capture form or contact request on our Site, we collect the following personal information:

• Name: First name and last name
• Contact Information: Email address and phone number
• Address Information: Street address, city, state, and ZIP code
• Project Details: Project type (ADU, solar, renovation, etc.), project description, timeline, and budget range
• Other Information: Any additional details you choose to provide in form fields or messages

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain technical information:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to track user activity and preferences (see Section 8 for details)

2.3 Consent Verification Data (TrustedForm)

We use TrustedForm, a third-party service operated by Jornaya, to independently verify and document your consent when you submit forms on our Site. TrustedForm creates a certificate that records:

• The exact form you submitted and its contents
• The time and date of submission
• Your IP address and device information
• Your actions leading up to form submission (page views, clicks)
• The consent language presented to you

This certificate serves as legal documentation that you provided informed consent to be contacted. The certificate is shared with contractors who receive your lead and is retained for compliance purposes. For more information about TrustedForm, visit ActiveProspect's Privacy Policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Lead Generation: To connect you with licensed contractors and construction professionals who can assist with your building permit and construction needs
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide information about our services
• Service Improvement: To analyze Site usage, improve our content, and enhance user experience
• Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, including TCPA consent documentation requirements
• Marketing: To send you information about our services and partner offers (you may opt out at any time)
• Fraud Prevention: To detect, prevent, and address fraud and security issues

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Third-Party Contractors and Lead Buyers

When you submit a form on our Site, your personal information is shared with third-party contractors, contractor networks, and lead aggregators. This is the primary purpose of our service.

We may share your information with lead buyers including but not limited to:

• QuinStreet and its affiliated contractor networks
• Modernize Home Services
• Other vetted lead aggregators and contractor matching services
• Individual licensed contractors in our network

These third parties will use your information to contact you about your construction project via phone, email, text message, or other means. Each third party operates independently and has its own privacy practices. We are not responsible for how third-party contractors or lead buyers use your information after we share it with them.

4.2 Service Providers

We share information with service providers who perform functions on our behalf, including:

• Web hosting and infrastructure providers
• Analytics and data processing services
• Email and SMS communication platforms
• TrustedForm for consent verification
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems

These service providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.3 Legal Compliance and Protection

We may disclose your information when required by law or when we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms of Service or other agreements
• Protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or others
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud or security issues

4.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our Site of any such change in ownership or control.

5. TCPA Consent and Communication Preferences

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulates how businesses can contact consumers by phone, text, and automated systems. When you submit your information through our Site, you provide express written consent to receive communications.

5.1 Your Consent

By submitting a form with your contact information, you expressly consent to receive:

• Telephone calls (including to mobile numbers) from us and third-party contractors
• Text messages (SMS/MMS) from us and third-party contractors
• Emails from us and third-party contractors
• Contact using automatic telephone dialing systems (autodialers)
• Contact using artificial or prerecorded voice messages

This consent applies even if your phone number is registered on a Do Not Call list. You are not required to provide this consent as a condition of purchasing any goods or services. Message and data rates may apply.

5.2 Opt-Out Rights

You may opt out of receiving communications at any time:

• Email: Click the "unsubscribe" link in any email or contact info@buildpermits.net
• Text Messages: Reply "STOP" to any text message
• Phone Calls: Ask to be removed from the calling list or contact info@buildpermits.net

Note that opting out of communications from us does not stop communications from third-party contractors who have already received your information. You must contact those contractors directly to opt out of their communications.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure storage of data on protected servers
• Access controls limiting who can view your information
• Regular security assessments and updates

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You transmit information to us at your own risk.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Specific retention periods include:

• Lead Information: Retained for up to 2 years to facilitate contractor connections and measure service quality
• TCPA Consent Records: Retained for at least 4 years to comply with legal requirements
• TrustedForm Certificates: Retained according to TrustedForm's retention policies (typically 5 years)
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized after 24 months

After the retention period expires, we will delete or anonymize your personal information unless we are required to retain it for legal, regulatory, or business purposes.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and collect information about Site usage.

8.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic Site functionality, including form submission and navigation
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our Site (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Marketing Cookies: Track your activity across websites to deliver targeted advertising
• TrustedForm Cookies: Document your consent and form interactions

8.2 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Note that disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our Site, including form submission.

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides you with specific rights regarding your personal information.

9.1 Your Rights Under CCPA

• Right to Know: You can request information about the personal data we have collected about you in the past 12 months, including the categories of data, sources, purposes, and third parties with whom we shared it.
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale: You can opt out of the "sale" of your personal information. Note that sharing lead information with contractors may be considered a "sale" under CCPA.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

9.2 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at info@buildpermits.net with "CCPA Request" in the subject line. Include your name, email address, phone number, and the specific right you wish to exercise. We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within 45 days.

9.3 Categories of Personal Information Sold or Shared

In the past 12 months, we have sold or shared the following categories of personal information with third-party contractors and lead aggregators:

• Identifiers (name, email, phone, address)
• Customer records (contact information, project details)
• Internet activity (Site usage data)
• Geolocation data (city, state, ZIP code)

10. Children's Privacy

Our Site is not directed to individuals under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us at info@buildpermits.net.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites, including government building department sites and contractor websites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and may provide additional notice (such as by email or a prominent notice on our Site).

Your continued use of the Site after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

California Permit Guide
Email: info@buildpermits.net

For CCPA requests, include "CCPA Request" in the subject line. For opt-out requests, include "Opt-Out Request" in the subject line. We will respond to all requests within 45 days.