Public records.
Minimal private data.

Operator and data administrator

How Is My ZIP is operated by Cult Classics Studios, LLC. Cult Classics Studios, LLC is the administrator of personal data processed through this website and, where applicable, the data controller.

For privacy requests, account-data requests, or questions about this policy, email info@howismyzip.com.

What we collect

Public searches: when you search a ZIP code or city, we use that location to open a source-labeled public-data briefing. A public search does not require your name, email address, account, street address, or payment information.

Optional accounts: if you sign in with Google or a passwordless email link, Firebase Authentication provides the account identifier and basic profile information needed to maintain your session.

Saved briefings: signed-in users can save selected location files and the public-record fields needed to reopen or compare them.

Property research requests: if you request a custom Property Decision File, you may voluntarily provide an exact property address, deadline, research questions, and transaction context. Do not send financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, identity documents, or other unnecessary sensitive information.

Contact form: if you contact us, we collect the name, email address, and message you choose to send, plus the CAPTCHA response needed to reduce spam.

Analytics: when Google Analytics is configured, we receive aggregate information about site usage, such as pages viewed, device/browser details, approximate location, and referral source.

Technical logs: like most websites, our hosting provider may process basic technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information, pages requested, and timestamps.

What we do not do

We do not sell personal information.

We do not treat a ZIP or city search as proof that you live there.

We do not require an exact address for a free location briefing.

We do not make your account workspace or saved-briefing list public.

We do not publish a client's contact details or private transaction notes inside a public sample report.

Cookies and similar technology

The public ZIP and city search does not require an account. Optional sign-in uses browser storage needed to keep an account session active.

We may use Google Analytics to understand traffic and improve the site. Google Analytics may set cookies or use similar technology to measure visits and usage patterns.

The contact page uses Google reCAPTCHA when configured. Google may set cookies or use existing Google cookies to determine whether the form is being used by a human.

Your browser, our hosting provider, or third-party services may also use technical storage that is necessary to deliver the site, prevent abuse, or keep the form working.

If we add checkout, paid account tools, alerts, or email preferences, we will update this policy before relying on additional cookies or similar storage for those features.

Third-party services

EmailJS: we use EmailJS to send contact form messages. The information you put in the contact form is sent through EmailJS so we can receive it.

Google reCAPTCHA: we use reCAPTCHA on the contact form to fight spam and automated submissions.

Google Analytics: we use Google Analytics to understand how people find and use the site.

Google Firebase: optional Google and passwordless email sign-in are handled by Firebase Authentication, and optional saved briefings are stored in Cloud Firestore. Access is restricted to the signed-in account that saved them.

Hosting provider: the site is intended to run on Vercel. Vercel may process technical logs and request data needed to host and protect the site.

Public data sources: briefings and Property Decision Files use government and other public records. Information published by those sources is not personal information collected directly from you.

How we use information

To open source-labeled ZIP and city briefings.

To authenticate optional accounts and provide saved-report functionality.

To respond to contact messages, corrections, research requests, and order inquiries.

To research and deliver a requested Property Decision File for the address and scope you provide.

To keep the site working, secure, fast, and less spammy.

To improve the product and decide which public-record sources to add next.

Your choices

You can use the public ZIP and city search without giving us your name or email.

You can remove individual saved reports from your account and sign out at any time.

You can contact us to request deletion of your account-related information.

You can avoid the contact form if you do not want to send us contact information.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser, though reCAPTCHA or other parts of the contact form may stop working.

If you want us to review or delete a property research inquiry, contact us with enough information to identify the request.

Children

This site is not designed for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Changes

This policy will change as the product grows. If we add checkout, paid account tools, subscriptions, or alerts, this page will be updated to explain what changed.