Privacy Policy
Scope. This Privacy Policy applies to Form-O-Matic websites, applications and permit-preparation services operated by Otto Schmitz LLC, including OrangeCountyBuildingPermits.com and future California permit services that link to this policy.
1. Information we collect
We may collect account and contact information; property addresses and project details; owner, applicant, contractor and licensed-professional information you enter; files you upload; purchase and transaction records; generated permit-package records; communication preferences; support communications; and technical information such as IP address, browser, device, security and service-log data.
2. Sources of information
We collect information directly from you, from people who use the service on your behalf, automatically from your browser or device when needed to operate and secure the service, and from service providers involved in authentication, payment, hosting, email, security and similar functions. We may also use public government information, such as permit forms and published jurisdiction requirements, to provide the service.
3. How we use information
We use information to create and maintain accounts; save permit projects; prepare, validate, store and deliver permit documents; process purchases; provide customer support; send transactional messages; maintain security and prevent abuse; improve the service; comply with legal obligations; and send optional marketing messages only when you have chosen to receive them.
4. Service providers and other disclosures
We may disclose information to vendors that help us operate the service, such as database/hosting providers, authentication providers, payment processors, email providers, analytics/security providers and professional advisers. They may process information only as necessary to provide those services or as permitted by their agreements and applicable law. We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect rights or security, or in connection with a merger, financing, sale or transfer of the business.
5. No sale of personal information; partner offers
We do not currently sell personal information. Choosing to receive partner offers does not by itself authorize us to give your email address or permit information to a partner. Partner promotions may be sent by us using our own mailing list. If we later propose to disclose contact information directly to a partner for that partner's own marketing, we will update this policy and obtain any consent or provide any choice required by law.
6. Government agencies
Creating a permit package does not itself submit your information to a city, county, state agency or other government body. If a future feature offers filing or submission on your behalf, we will tell you before information is transmitted and obtain the authorization appropriate to that service.
7. Payments
Payment-card information is handled by our payment processor. We do not intend to receive or store full payment-card numbers on our application servers. Our systems may store payment status, amount, transaction identifiers and related records needed for accounting, customer service, fraud prevention and dispute handling.
8. Email choices
Transactional messages about accounts, security, purchases and permit packages are part of the service. Marketing email is optional. You may change your marketing preference in your account or use the unsubscribe method included in marketing messages. Unsubscribing from marketing does not stop transactional messages needed to provide a purchased service.
9. Cookies, analytics and online tracking
We use technologies necessary for sign-in, security, preferences and application functionality. On OrangeCountyBuildingPermits.com, we also use Google Analytics to understand aggregate website usage, such as page visits, device/browser information and navigation patterns, so we can improve the service. The Form-O-Matic implementation is configured to load Google Analytics only on OrangeCountyBuildingPermits.com (including its www hostname), not on localhost, staging hosts or form-o-matic.com. We do not currently use Google Analytics for cross-site advertising in the permit workflow. We do not currently take separate action in response to browser Do Not Track signals because there is no uniform DNT standard. If we later add advertising or cross-site tracking technologies, we will update this policy and implement applicable disclosures and choices.
10. Reviewing, correcting or deleting information
You may review or correct much of your account and permit information by signing in. You may contact us to request access, correction or deletion of information. We may retain records when reasonably necessary to complete transactions, maintain permit-version history requested by you, prevent fraud, resolve disputes, meet tax/accounting requirements, comply with law, or establish and defend legal claims.
11. California privacy rights
California law requires covered online services to disclose their privacy practices. If the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) applies to us at a particular time, we will provide all notices and consumer-request methods required by that law, including applicable rights to know, access, correct, delete, opt out of sale or sharing, limit certain uses of sensitive personal information, and receive equal service without unlawful discrimination. We do not currently sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
12. Retention and security
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described above and for legitimate business and legal needs. We use administrative and technical safeguards designed to protect stored information, including authenticated access and private storage for generated permit packages. No online system can guarantee absolute security.
13. Children
The service is intended for adults and businesses and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the permit service.
14. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the service, vendors, jurisdictions or legal requirements change. We will post the updated policy here, identify the effective date, and provide additional notice when required by law.
15. Contact
Privacy questions or requests may be sent to [email protected]. Our public business mailing address will be displayed here before marketing launch.