How-To
How to Parse Correction Letters
Automatically extract every correction item from a plan check PDF — no copy-paste, no manual spreadsheet entry.
Parsing a correction letter in Olumba
- 1Go to getolumba.com/align
- 2Upload your correction letter PDF (text-based PDFs parse best)
- 3Olumba extracts each correction item with its code reference and department
- 4Create a free account to save, assign, and track items to resolution
What does "parsing" a correction letter mean?
Parsing a correction letter means extracting the structured data it contains — each correction item's sequence number, department, code reference, and description — from an unstructured PDF format into a machine-readable list. The goal is to turn a document you read into a list you can act on: assign, track, and close out each item systematically.
Can you parse correction letters automatically?
Yes. Tools like Olumba Align use AI to parse correction letter PDFs and extract each item automatically. You upload the PDF, and the parser identifies each numbered correction item, extracts the code reference (e.g., "CBC §1004.1"), department attribution (Building & Safety, Fire, etc.), and item description. The output is a structured list you can assign and track directly — without any copy-paste.
What formats do correction letters come in?
Most jurisdictions issue correction letters as PDF documents, either as scanned letters (image PDFs) or digitally generated documents (text PDFs). LADBS, for example, generates text PDFs through their ePlanLA portal. Some jurisdictions still mail paper letters or provide corrections inline within a portal interface rather than as downloadable PDFs. Parsing works best on text PDFs; image PDFs may require OCR preprocessing.
What information can be extracted from a correction letter?
A well-structured correction letter parser can extract: the sequence number for each item, the reviewing department (e.g., Building & Safety, Fire Prevention, Public Works), the code or standard reference (e.g., CBC, CMC, CEC section number), the full item description, and sometimes the sheet reference or drawing number where the issue was found. Not all correction letters follow the same format, so parser accuracy varies by jurisdiction.
How does Olumba Align parse correction letters?
Olumba Align accepts a PDF correction letter upload. The parser processes the document using a combination of text extraction and AI-based classification to identify correction items, extract their structured fields, and categorize them by department. The output is a list of correction tasks in Olumba — each with a status field (open/in progress/resolved), an assignee field, and the original text of the correction item. You can parse without creating an account; the full tracking features require a free Olumba account.
Which jurisdictions does Olumba support for parsing?
Olumba Align supports correction letters from any jurisdiction in a text-based PDF format, though parsing accuracy is highest for jurisdictions with consistent letter formats. The parser has been specifically tested against LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety), SDPD (San Diego Planning Division), City of Long Beach, City of Pasadena, and the County of Los Angeles. Support for additional jurisdictions is added continuously based on submitted letters.
Is there a free way to parse correction letters?
Yes. Olumba Align offers free correction letter parsing — upload a PDF and receive a parsed list of correction items without creating an account. The free tier allows parsing and viewing of correction items. Account creation (also free) enables saving, assigning, and tracking correction items across projects.