By accessing or using cite.codes ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these Terms, you may not use our Service.
These Terms apply to all users of the Service, including restoration contractors, estimators, and other professionals accessing our building code compliance documents.
2. Service Description
cite.codes provides jurisdiction-specific building code compliance documents for restoration and construction projects. Our Service includes:
ZIP code-based jurisdiction resolution (state, county, municipality)
Applicable building code section identification
Special zone detection (HVHZ, flood zones, WUI fire zones, etc.)
PDF document generation with code text and references
Building department contact information
Energy code requirements and compliance checklists
2.2 Storm Proof Reports
Our Storm Proof Reports service provides documented evidence of severe weather events in a specific geographic area. This service includes:
Search of NOAA Storm Events Database for historical severe weather
Location-based filtering by ZIP code or address with configurable radius
Date range selection for targeted time periods
Event type filtering (hail, wind, tornado, etc.)
Distance calculations from your specified property location
PDF report generation with event details and official narratives
2.3 NOAA Data Attribution
Storm Proof Reports are based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Storm Events Database. This is a public dataset maintained by the U.S. federal government.
Important: NOAA data documents weather events at regional scale. Storm Proof Reports demonstrate that severe weather occurred near a property, not that a specific property sustained damage. Property-specific damage determination requires on-site inspection by qualified professionals.
3. Pricing and Payment
3.1 Current Pricing
Subscription Plans:
Free: Limited access to code packets and storm reports
Starter: $39.00/month (or $372.00/year) for individual contractors
Professional: $99.00/month (or $948.00/year) for restoration companies
Enterprise: $199.00/month (or $1,908.00/year) for larger organizations
All prices are in USD and subject to applicable taxes.
3.2 Payment Terms
Payments are processed securely via Stripe, Inc.
Free plan users have monthly usage limits as described on the pricing page
Paid plan features are available for the duration of an active subscription
Pricing is subject to change; existing subscribers retain their rate until renewal
3.3 Pricing Model
Our Service operates on a subscription model with Free, Starter, Professional, and Enterprise tiers. Subscription terms and pricing are displayed on the pricing page. You may cancel your subscription at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
4. Refund Policy
4.1 Eligible Refunds
You are eligible for a full refund if:
Document generation fails due to a technical error on our end
Your jurisdiction is not supported (despite passing initial validation)
The generated document is missing critical data due to our system error
4.2 Non-Refundable
Refunds are NOT available if:
You successfully received a downloadable PDF
You disagree with code interpretations in the document
Local code amendments differ from our database
You change your mind after purchase
4.3 Storm Proof Reports
Additional non-refundable scenarios for Storm Proof Reports:
No storm events found in your search area/date range (data reflects actual NOAA records)
Events found do not match your expectations or project requirements
You disagree with NOAA's event classifications or severity ratings
Events are further from your property than expected
4.4 Refund Process
To request a refund, contact support@cite.codes within 48 hours of purchase with your order ID. Approved refunds are processed within 5-10 business days to your original payment method.
5. Disclaimers and Limitations
CRITICAL DISCLAIMER
cite.codes documents are informational tools only, not legal advice or professional engineering guidance. Building codes are subject to local amendments, interpretations, and changes. You MUST verify all requirements with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before beginning work.
5.1 No Legal or Professional Advice
The Service does not provide legal, engineering, or architectural advice. Our documents compile publicly available building code information but do not constitute:
Legal interpretation of building codes
Professional engineering or architectural design
Approval or certification of construction methods
Guarantee of code compliance for any specific project
Substitute for consulting with licensed professionals
5.2 Accuracy Limitations
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that:
All local amendments are reflected in our database
Code adoption dates are current (jurisdictions may update without notice)
All special zones are detected (new zones may not be in our data)
Building department contact information is always current
Energy code requirements reflect the latest amendments
Your responsibility: Always verify with your local building department before relying on any code information in our documents.
5.3 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, cite.codes shall NOT be liable for:
Code interpretation errors or omissions
Financial losses from incorrect code information
Project delays or permit denials
Contractor's failure to comply with applicable codes
Changes to codes after document generation
Damages arising from reliance on our documents
Consequential, indirect, or punitive damages
Maximum liability: In any event, our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid for the document in question.
5.4 Storm Proof Reports Disclaimers
Storm Proof Reports are subject to the following additional disclaimers:
Regional Data: NOAA Storm Events Database records weather events at regional scale (county/area level). Reports show proximity, not property-specific impact.
Not Proof of Damage: A Storm Proof Report documents that severe weather occurred near a location but does NOT prove damage to any specific property.
Third-Party Acceptance: We make no guarantee that any third party will accept Storm Proof Reports as sufficient evidence for any purpose.
Data Completeness: NOAA data may not include all weather events. Some events go unreported or may be added to the database after our report generation.
Historical Data: Storm data is historical and may have reporting delays of weeks to months between the event and database entry.
Distance Calculations: Distance from property is calculated from ZIP code or address coordinates to event coordinates. Actual distance may vary.
Your responsibility: Storm Proof Reports are supplementary documentation. Always obtain professional property inspections and work with qualified professionals to determine actual damage and scope of work.
5.5 Reference Tool Only
cite.codes is a reference tool. It is NOT a licensed public adjuster, representative, or consultant. We do not negotiate, represent, settle, or file on behalf of any party.
Our Service produces documentation tools (code packets, storm reports, evidence packs, and calculation outputs) intended to assist contractors and estimators with their own work. Specifically, cite.codes does NOT:
Act as or substitute for a licensed public adjuster in any state
Negotiate with any party on your behalf
Represent policyholders in disputes of any kind
File, manage, or process paperwork on your behalf
Guarantee approval or settlement amounts from any third party
Provide advice or recommendations beyond presenting code references
If you need licensed representation: Consult a licensed public adjuster in your state. Public adjuster licensing is regulated by state departments of insurance, and acting as an unlicensed public adjuster is prohibited by law.
6. User Responsibilities
6.1 Verification Required
You agree to:
Verify all code requirements with your local AHJ before starting work
Consult with licensed professionals (engineers, architects) as needed
Check for code updates and amendments not reflected in our documents
Obtain all required permits and inspections from your local building department
Understand that our documents are research tools, not approval documents
6.2 Prohibited Uses
You may NOT:
Resell or redistribute generated documents
Use our Service for fraudulent or illegal purposes
Reverse engineer or copy our database or software
Represent our documents as official building department approvals
Remove copyright or source attribution from generated PDFs
Abuse our Service with excessive requests or attempts to overload systems
7. Acceptable Use
7.1 Commercial Use Permitted
You may use generated documents for:
Project documentation and estimation
Contractor project planning and bidding
Internal company research and reference
Client presentation as supplemental research (with disclaimers)
7.2 License Grant
Upon payment, you receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the generated document for your internal business purposes. You do NOT acquire ownership of the document format, underlying data, or our software.
8. Intellectual Property
8.1 Our Property
The following remain the property of cite.codes:
cite.codes software, algorithms, and design
Our database structure and compiled jurisdiction data
Document templates and formatting
Trademarks, logos, and branding
8.2 Public Domain Content
Building codes themselves (IRC, IBC, FBC, etc.) are public domain documents published by government agencies and the International Code Council. Our value is in compiling, organizing, and delivering this information in a jurisdiction-specific format.
9. Data Sources and Updates
9.1 Official Sources
We source our data from official publications including:
State building code agencies (Florida DBPR, Virginia DHCD, etc.)
County and municipal code adoption ordinances
International Code Council (ICC) publications
FEMA flood zone maps
State fire marshal offices (for WUI zones, etc.)
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (Storm Events Database)
9.2 Update Frequency
We update our database regularly, but cannot guarantee real-time updates for all jurisdictions. Code changes may occur between our updates and your document generation. Always check with your local AHJ for the most current requirements.
10. Service Availability
We strive for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted service. We may:
Perform scheduled maintenance with advance notice
Update our software and database
Modify features or pricing (with notice for existing users)
Discontinue the Service with 30 days' notice
If you purchased a document and cannot download it due to our service outage, contact support for assistance or a refund.
11. Privacy
Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.
12. Dispute Resolution
12.1 Informal Resolution
Before filing any legal action, please contact us at support@cite.codes to attempt informal resolution. Most disputes can be resolved through direct communication.
12.2 Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the state in which cite.codes is registered, without regard to conflict of law principles.
13. Changes to Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. For significant changes affecting pricing or core features, we will provide 30 days' notice via email (if you provided one).
14. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and cite.codes regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements.
16. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms or our Service, contact us: