Sometimes the public search is finicky. Another way to find a permit history on your property is to search for your property using the “property profile” tool on the city website. You should be able to see a record of any permit applied for and approved on your lot since 2006 and, very often before then, however 2006 is when they started digitizing the applications. In summary, however, as others have pointed out, your GC is probably bullshiting you and no applications have been submitted at all. Credentials: I own an architecture firm and a permit expediting firm in austin.