bim-site

Read parcel boundaries, zoning classifications, or site data for any address from the command line. One call returns elevation, contamination history, parcel data, school district, transit proximity, and more as structured JSON. No web map to click through, no PDF to read, no account required. Use bim site assess for a full multi-layer report, or call individual verbs when you only need one thing.

Site assessment from authoritative public APIs: flood zones, elevation, contamination, parcel data, seismic hazard, NYC regulatory layers, and global satellite imagery. No API keys required for core functionality.

Feature Coverage v0.6.7 · 2026-06-09
Feature GlobalUS FedNYNYCLong IsMABostonCABay AreaSFTaiwan+US
Flood+++
Parcel
Zoning
Seismic / Hazard+
Environmental++
Schools++
Transit / Airport++
Imagery
full + extends federal key required – not covered ◆ new in v0.6.7

Claude Code compiles a parcel information package for 140 West Street, NYC — pulling zoning, flood zone, school district, environmental hazards, parcel boundary, and building history, then composing a PDF report.

Quick start

US address:

bim site assess --address "847 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95125"

NYC address (29 layers):

bim site assess --address "4630 Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11109"

Boston address (MA layer stack):

bim site assess --address "115 Kingston St, Boston MA"

Taiwan address (v0.6.0):

bim site assess --address "台中市西屯區市政路200號"

Country is detected automatically. No flag or config change needed. Nominatim geocoder is used by default (no key). Set BIM_SITE_TGOS_APPID + BIM_SITE_TGOS_APIKEY for Taiwan house-number precision via TGOS.

Requirements

Network access to public government APIs. No API keys required for core functionality. Optional: BIM_REGRID_API_KEY (US parcel fallback), BIM_SITE_TGOS_APPID/APIKEY (Taiwan precision geocoding). See /site/llms.txt for full endpoint list.

Address vs coordinates

All verbs accept --lat + --lon (WGS84), or --address "...". assess accepts --address directly.

Rate-limit signals

When any upstream service rate-limits a request, assess returns a structured throttle_hint — no string parsing required:

{
  "throttle_hint": {
    "affected_layers": ["airport"],
    "retry_after_secs": 30,
    "advice": "1 layer(s) rate-limited. Wait 30s then retry: bim site airport.lookup --lat ... --lon ..."
  }
}

Individual verbs surface retry_after_secs and throttle_source in error.data.

Verbs

VerbWhat it does
bim site massing [--polygon POLYGON] [--edge-classes EDGE_CLASSES] [--front-setback-ft FRONT_SETBACK_FT] [--side-setback-ft SIDE_SETBACK_FT] [--rear-setback-ft REAR_SETBACK_FT] [--height-allowed-ft HEIGHT_ALLOWED_FT] [--floor-to-floor-ft FLOOR_TO_FLOOR_FT] [--far-allowed FAR_ALLOWED] [--coverage-allowed COVERAGE_ALLOWED] [--district DISTRICT] [--parking PARKING] [--uses USES]Compute a zoning massing envelope from a parcel polygon in local planar feet and zoning parameters; accepts a JSON payload on stdin or explicit flags.
bim site frontage [--polygon POLYGON] [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Classify parcel edges as front, side, or rear from nearby OSM road geometry; accepts a JSON payload on stdin or explicit WGS84 flags.
bim site assess [--address ADDRESS] [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Full site assessment: geocode → jurisdiction → fan out all applicable data layers in parallel → return STAC-tagged layer stack.
bim site doctorDriver health check - pings all federal endpoints and spot-checks registry entries
bim site versionDriver version

flood

VerbWhat it does
bim site flood.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--geojson] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Look up flood zone and base flood elevation for a location
bim site flood.map [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--out FILE] [--width N] [--height N] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Generate a PNG flood-zone map with street basemap and pin at the queried location
bim site flood.vector [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--out FILE] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Export flood zone boundaries as a DXF file (metres, local coords centred on queried point)

school

VerbWhat it does
bim site school.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--geojson] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Look up public school district(s) at a location
bim site school.enrich --leaid LEAID [--timeout TIMEOUT]Fetch finance, enrollment, and staffing data for a district by LEAID. All monetary fields are in USD (actual dollars, not thousands).
bim site school.map [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--out FILE] [--width N] [--height N] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Generate a PNG school district map with street basemap and pin
bim site school.vector [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--out FILE] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Export school district boundary as a DXF file (metres, local coords)
bim site school.search --bbox BBOX [--timeout TIMEOUT]List individual public schools within a bounding box (NCES EDGE geocoded locations)

zoning

VerbWhat it does
bim site zoning.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT] [--gfa GFA] [--units N]Look up zoning district, overlays, and lot data. NYC: ZoLa-parity bundle. Boston: BPDA Zoning 2.0 + Article 80 trigger flags (--gfa, --units).

elevation

VerbWhat it does
bim site elevation.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]USGS 3DEP elevation (feet + metres) for a coordinate

wetlands

VerbWhat it does
bim site wetlands.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]USFWS National Wetlands Inventory - wetland type and area

contamination

VerbWhat it does
bim site contamination.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]EPA ECHO regulated facilities and violations within 3 miles

seismic

VerbWhat it does
bim site seismic.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]USGS Unified Hazard Tool - PGA 2%/50yr + hazard class

asce

VerbWhat it does
bim site asce.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]USGS Design Maps ASCE 7-22 seismic design values (Ss, S1, SDS, SD1, SDC) for Site Class D Risk Category II

transit

VerbWhat it does
bim site transit.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Transitland GTFS - transit stops within 0.5mi (feeds AB2097 check)

phase1-esa

VerbWhat it does
bim site phase1-esa.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]EPA Phase I ESA registry search — CERCLA/NPL Superfund, RCRA hazardous waste, and LUST sites within 1 mile (EPA CIMC)

hazard-score

VerbWhat it does
bim site hazard-score.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]FEMA National Risk Index - composite risk score across 18 hazards

opportunity

VerbWhat it does
bim site opportunity.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]HUD Opportunity Zones + Qualified Census Tracts (LIHTC bonus eligibility)

historic

VerbWhat it does
bim site historic.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]OSM Overpass - historic and heritage features within 1 mile

airport

VerbWhat it does
bim site airport.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]OSM Overpass - aerodromes within 5 miles

soil

VerbWhat it does
bim site soil.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]USDA SSURGO - drainage class, farmland class, expansive soil risk

wildfire

VerbWhat it does
bim site wildfire.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]CAL FIRE FRAP Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (CA only)

faults

VerbWhat it does
bim site faults.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]CGS Alquist-Priolo, liquefaction, and landslide hazard zones (CA only)

hurricane-zone

VerbWhat it does
bim site hurricane-zone.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYC hurricane evacuation zone (1-6, 1=highest risk) - NYC OEM/DCP (NYC only)

landmark

VerbWhat it does
bim site landmark.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYC LPC designated landmarks within 100 m - individual + historic district buildings (NYC only)

e-designation

VerbWhat it does
bim site e-designation.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYC CEQR E-designation status (hazardous materials / air quality / noise) from MapPLUTO (NYC only)

stormwater-flood

VerbWhat it does
bim site stormwater-flood.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYC DEP Stormwater Flood Map - pluvial flood risk current + 2050 projection (NYC only)

brownfield

VerbWhat it does
bim site brownfield.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup + Voluntary Cleanup sites within 0.5 miles (NYC only)

coastal

VerbWhat it does
bim site coastal.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYSDEC Tidal Wetlands + Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA) overlay (NYC only)

special-district

VerbWhat it does
bim site special-district.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]NYC DCP Special Purpose Districts + Waterfront Revitalization Program boundary (NYC only)

subway

VerbWhat it does
bim site subway.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]MTA subway entrances within 800 m - lines, station names, distances (NYC only)

state-law

VerbWhat it does
bim site state-law.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]CA state law eligibility (SB9/SB35/AB2097/SB79/ADU) computed from wildfire, faults, flood, historic, and transit layers

building-history

VerbWhat it does
bim site building-history.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]DOB job filings + violations + HPD violations per parcel (NYC only)

permits

VerbWhat it does
bim site permits.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--radius N] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Nearby City of Los Angeles building permits from LADBS (up to 10 results by default)

nassau-assessor

VerbWhat it does
bim site nassau-assessor.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Nassau County assessor data — fair market value, building characteristics, sales history (Nassau County NY only)

encumbrances

VerbWhat it does
bim site encumbrances.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Recorded encumbrances (easements, declarations, restrictions, agreements) — NYC ACRIS

parcel

VerbWhat it does
bim site parcel.lookup [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--geometry] [--timeout TIMEOUT]Assessor parcel data (APN, owner, area, zone) - registry-routed by county, Regrid fallback
bim site parcel.map [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--out FILE] [--width N] [--height N] [--satellite] [--wayback-date WAYBACK_DATE]Fetch ArcGIS basemap for the parcel bbox and draw the lot boundary - returns a PNG file path

satellite

VerbWhat it does
bim site satellite.map [--lat LAT] [--lon LON] [--address ADDRESS] [--geocode] [--out FILE] [--width N] [--height N] [--radius-m RADIUS_M] [--wayback-date WAYBACK_DATE] [--outline]Satellite or Wayback dated imagery centered on a coordinate — global coverage, no parcel registry required

Taiwan layer stack (assess only)

Taiwan layers run automatically when --address contains Chinese characters or Taiwan place names.

Layer Source Notes
elevation Open-Meteo SRTM Keyless · global
faults GSMMA active fault zones + NCDR liquefaction Accessible from Taiwan
seismic Taiwan Building Code zones Static lookup; Taichung = 0.33g/high
school OSM Overpass 1 km Keyless
parcel NLSC Open API + Nominatim reverse County/district/road; lot# needs NLSC WFS gov credentials
zoning luz.tcd.gov.tw (cache-backed PIP) First call ~30s download + cache; instant after · TW geo-IP only
flood NCDR ArcGIS Accessible from Taiwan
airport · historic · transit OSM / Transitland Global, same as US

assess response shape

Each layer carries:

{
  "layer": "flood",
  "jurisdiction": "federal",
  "authority": "FEMA",
  "attribution": "FEMA NFHL",
  "coverage": "covered",
  "api_url": "https://hazards.fema.gov/...",
  "viewer_url": "https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home",
  "data": { "zone": "AE", "sfha": true, "bfe": 10 }
}

coverage: covered | not_covered | not_applicable (CA/NY layers outside their region) | key_required

US parcel registry coverage

21 counties pre-loaded with free no-key ArcGIS endpoints: all Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo), King County WA, Travis County TX, Maricopa County AZ, Cook County IL, NYC all 5 boroughs (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island via MapPLUTO), St. Louis City MO, Suffolk County MA (Boston — MassGIS Level 3 Parcels). Outside covered counties, set BIM_REGRID_API_KEY for Regrid fallback.

Pipe compositions

# US lot assessment → Excel
bim site assess --address "847 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA" | bim excel write site-report.xlsx

# NYC lot assessment (29 layers) → Excel
bim site assess --address "4630 Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY" | bim excel write nyc-report.xlsx

# NYC brownfield sites → Excel
bim site brownfield.lookup --lat 40.7282 --lon -73.9442 | bim excel write brownfields.xlsx

# Flood boundary → DXF → Revit (by coordinates)
bim site flood vector --lat 37.313 --lon -121.915 --out flood.dxf

# Flood boundary → DXF → Revit (by address)
bim site flood vector --address "847 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95125" --out flood.dxf

# Global satellite imagery
bim site satellite.map --lat 35.6762 --lon 139.6503 --wayback-date 2024-01-01

# Taiwan lot assessment → Excel
bim site assess --address "台中市西屯區市政路200號" | bim excel write taichung-report.xlsx

# Boston civic site report (BPDA zoning + CFROD + MassGIS parcel)
bim site assess --address "115 Kingston St, Boston MA" | bim excel write boston-site.xlsx

# Article 80 review flags for a Boston project
bim site zoning lookup --address "115 Kingston St, Boston MA" --gfa 35000 --units 20

For agent use: /site/llms.txt

Guides