Both platforms claim to simplify zoning analysis. Here is a straight look at what each actually delivers — and who each one is built for.
Try Zoning Assist FreeDeepblocks is an AI-assisted design and underwriting platform built for architects and institutional development teams. It excels at proforma modeling and 3D massing studies — but it assumes you already know your zoning. It does not tell you what the code says; it helps you model what you can build once you have that answer.
Zoning Assist answers the prior question: what does the zoning actually allow on this specific parcel? It pulls source-cited dimensional standards, calculates maximum buildable capacity, scores entitlement risk, and delivers a plain-English feasibility brief — typically in 1–2 minutes. No CAD file required. No architectural team needed.
| Feature | Zoning Assist | Deepblocks |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Instant zoning feasibility: allowed uses, setbacks, height, FAR, parking, entitlement risk | AI-assisted proforma underwriting + 3D massing visualization |
| Time to first answer | Typically 1–2 minutes, address only | Hours to days (requires site setup + design team input) |
| Who uses it | Developers, lenders, brokers, title companies, land use attorneys | Architects, institutional developers, investment analysts |
| Entry price | $79 per report (no subscription required) | Enterprise pricing, not publicly listed |
| Source citations | ✓ Every standard linked to the municipal code | ✗ Does not cite zoning source documents |
| Coverage | 40 live U.S. markets across 13 states + DC, expanding | Limited to markets with available parcel data partnerships |
| Entitlement risk scoring | ✓ Automated Low / Medium / High risk score per parcel | ✗ Not available |
| No CAD file required | ✓ Address-only input | ✗ Requires site data and often architectural input |
| AI summary | ✓ Plain-English development opportunity brief | Proforma-focused AI, not plain-English feasibility narrative |
| County recorder data | ✓ Deed, easement, HOA, lien links per parcel | ✗ Not included |
| Designed for due diligence speed | ✓ Built specifically for fast go/no-go decisions | Built for design-phase analysis, not early-stage screening |
| Subscription required | No — pay per report or subscribe | Yes — enterprise agreements |
Deepblocks is a design-phase tool. It helps your team model what to build after the entitlement question is settled. Zoning Assist is a due diligence tool. It answers the entitlement question in the first place — before you spend hours on a proforma or retain a land use attorney. Most serious development teams need both at different stages; Zoning Assist just works earlier in the process and costs a fraction of the price for that first critical screening step.
Yes, and many development teams do. Use Zoning Assist early in the acquisition pipeline to quickly confirm that a parcel is feasible — allowed uses, setbacks, height, entitlement risk. Then, once you have a site under contract, use Deepblocks for the design-phase proforma and massing work. The two tools operate at different stages of the same workflow.
Not in a source-cited, code-level way. Deepblocks works with parcel data to support design and underwriting, but it does not pull the municipal zoning ordinance and cite specific dimensional standards the way Zoning Assist does. If you need to know the exact setback rule or confirm whether a variance is required, Zoning Assist is the more direct tool.
Significantly. Zoning Assist offers a single report for $79 with no subscription required. Deepblocks is enterprise-priced and not publicly listed. For brokers, lenders, and smaller development teams who need fast zoning answers without an enterprise software budget, Zoning Assist is purpose-built for that use case.
Every figure in a Zoning Assist report is sourced directly from the municipal zoning ordinance and linked to the source document. Our team continuously audits city data as codes are updated. Each report includes the source citation so you can verify the underlying data directly — something that is standard practice in professional due diligence and that most software tools skip.
Zoning Assist currently covers 40 live markets across 14 states + DC, with new cities added continuously. Coverage includes major metros across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and DC. Enter any address on the homepage to check coverage for your market.
No account required to start. Enter any address in our coverage area and see what the zoning actually allows — setbacks, height limits, allowed uses, entitlement risk, and more. Source-cited from the municipal code.
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