MCP server for AI agents

ParcelAPI has a hosted Model Context Protocol server, so Claude, Cursor and other MCP clients can search US parcels and building permits directly.

• Endpoint: https://api.parcelapi.net/mcp (Streamable HTTP)
• Auth: your API key as Authorization: Bearer <key> (or X-API-Key)
• Billing: the same as the REST API: 1 credit per record returned, minimum 1 credit per search; searches that time out are free. No owner names or contact data are ever returned.

Tools

• query_parcels: parcels by state plus county, city prefix or address prefix (1 credit per record, min 1)
• query_permits: building permits by state plus city, county, address, type or dates (1 credit per record, min 1)
• get_credit_balance: your remaining credits (free)
• list_credit_packs: packs and prices (free)
• buy_credits: a Stripe Checkout link; a human pays (free)
• claim_api_key: get a new key after a keyless checkout (free)
• get_fetch_job: status of an on-demand area fetch (free)

Cursor

In ~/.cursor/mcp.json or .cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "parcelapi": {
      "url": "https://api.parcelapi.net/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer your-key-here" }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add --transport http parcelapi https://api.parcelapi.net/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer your-key-here"

Claude Desktop

Use the mcp-remote bridge in claude_desktop_config.json so the key is sent as a header:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "parcelapi": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://api.parcelapi.net/mcp",
               "--header", "Authorization: Bearer ${PARCELAPI_KEY}"],
      "env": { "PARCELAPI_KEY": "your-key-here" }
    }
  }
}

No key yet?

Ask your agent to call list_credit_packs, then buy_credits with a pack name. Open the checkout link and pay, then have the agent call claim_api_key with the session_id. The key is shown once, so store it safely. See pricing.

REST and OpenAPI

OpenAPI: api.parcelapi.net/openapi.json · interactive docs: api.parcelapi.net/docs · summary for LLMs: /llms.txt