Permit Glossary
Work Class
Also known as: permit type, permit category, work type
A standardized classification field in a permit record that describes the nature of the permitted work (e.g., new construction, remodel, re-roof).
Work class is a data field included in most municipal permit records that categorizes the type of construction activity being authorized. Common work class values include new construction, addition, alteration/remodel, demolition, re-roof, accessory structure, and trade-specific sub-permits (mechanical, electrical, plumbing). Jurisdictions use different terminology and classification schemes, which means the same type of project may carry different work-class labels across cities. Normalizing work class across jurisdictions is a core data-engineering challenge in permit intelligence.
Why it matters for contractors
Filtering permit feeds by work class is the primary way contractors segment leads by project type — ensuring a roofing contractor sees re-roofs and an HVAC contractor sees mechanical permits, not every permit in the county.