Signal Types

Signal types are the atomic unit of Parcel’s intelligence layer. Every event Parcel discovers is classified into one of these standard types. The type determines how the signal advances a project’s stage, and how it flows into your Home queue.

Each type has a stable string identifier used in the API and MCP tools. These identifiers never change.

How stage derivation works

Each signal type maps to at most one stage on a single 7-rung ladder: pre_filing -> filed -> under_review -> approved -> permitted -> under_construction -> completed. A project’s current stage is always the highest stage reached across all its signals.

The ladder is forward-only. A late-arriving signal with a lower rank never pulls a project backward. A project that reaches approved stays at approved even if earlier signals arrive out of order.

Some types are terminal: they set a disposition (denied, withdrawn, or expired) without changing the stage already reached. A later advancing signal can clear a terminal disposition.

Some types are non-advancing: they carry useful timeline information but do not set a stage rung (permit_filed, team_update).

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Signal-to-stage mapping

Each signal maps to at most one stage. Advancing types set a rung; non-advancing types never move the stage; terminal types set a disposition. There is no separate lifecycle axis.

Advancing signals

Label	API Name	Stage	What it signals
Project announcement	project_announcement	pre_filing	Public notice a project exists or is intended
Pre-application	pre_application	pre_filing	A pre-filing contact with the planning authority
Site acquisition	site_acquisition	pre_filing	Recorded sale or announced site control tied to development
Entitlement application	entitlement_application	filed	A formal land-use application (Article 80, special permit, variance, site plan)
Environmental review	environmental_review	filed	Environmental review submission or update (MEPA/NEPA, ENF)
Public review	public_review	under_review	Application in active public review (hearing, staff memo, continuance)
Entitlement approval	entitlement_approval	approved	The discretionary land-use approval was granted
Permit issued	permit_issued	permitted	A building permit was approved or issued
Demolition permit	demolition_permit	permitted	Teardown of existing structures preceding a new build
Site prep	site_prep	permitted	Early site-readiness permits (geotechnical, boring, excavation)
Construction loan	construction_loan	permitted	Recorded construction financing tied to development
Under construction	under_construction	under_construction	Construction has commenced and is physically underway
Completion	completion	completed	Construction complete or certificate of occupancy issued

Non-advancing signals

These carry timeline information but never set a stage rung. They still count as activity (they reset the stalled clock) but never advance a project.

Label	API Name	What it signals
Permit filed	permit_filed	A building or alteration permit application (an application, not an issued permit)
Team update	team_update	A development-team firm or person was named or changed

Terminal signals

These set a disposition without lowering the stage already reached. A subsequent advancing signal clears the terminal disposition and reactivates the project.

Label	API Name	Disposition	What happened
Entitlement denial	entitlement_denial	denied	The application was rejected by the authority
Withdrawal	withdrawal	withdrawn	The applicant pulled the application
Expiration	expiration	expired	A granted approval lapsed without being acted on

Projects that never reach a terminal signal but go idle for more than 18 months before reaching permitted stage are automatically marked stalled.

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Reserved types

Valid identifiers reserved for future signal sources. Not yet subscribable.

Label	API Name	Status
RFP	rfp	Reserved, no live source yet

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Quick reference

All active type identifiers, for use in API filters and MCP tool calls:

project_announcement  pre_application  site_acquisition  demolition_permit  site_prep
entitlement_application  environmental_review  public_review  entitlement_approval
entitlement_denial  withdrawal  expiration
permit_filed  permit_issued  construction_loan  under_construction
team_update  completion

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Working with signal types in code

Workspace API: Signals Filter signals by type, subscribe, and manage the Home queue via the REST API. MCP Tools Use signal type identifiers with Parcel's MCP tools in Claude, Cursor, and Codex.