diff --git a/frontend/src/features/permits/components/permit-list/BasePermitList.tsx b/frontend/src/features/permits/components/permit-list/BasePermitList.tsx
index 3ec7a56dd..31daa8264 100644
--- a/frontend/src/features/permits/components/permit-list/BasePermitList.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/features/permits/components/permit-list/BasePermitList.tsx
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ export const BasePermitList = ({
       // Search Bar
       positionGlobalFilter="left"
       initialState={{ showGlobalFilter: true }} //show the search bar by default
+      globalFilterFn="contains" // use contains vs the default fuzzy filter fn
       muiSearchTextFieldProps={{
         placeholder: "Search",
         sx: {