For nearly a year and a half, we have been working to introduce electronic permit applications (ePermits). This type of permit application will allow individuals to apply for permits from the comfort of their own home. Applicants will no longer need to come down to the Central Permit Office and apply in person.
We first started pursuing this after the Director of the Permits, Jake Dishaw, won our Civic Innovation Challenge. We rolled out a beta version of ePermits, that was launched internally. More specifically, we set up an ePermit portal and built a workflow so that people could fill out a digital permit application in person rather than a paper application. However, with this version people still needed to visit the Central Permit Office to complete the application.
Once we were comfortable with the ePermits beta version, we began working with a startup company called Camino. This was part of our Startup in Residence Program. Together Camino and the City staff codesigned the new ePermit system that is rolling out now.
We are excited to announce that in February we will roll out Phase I of ePermits! This phase focuses exclusively on electrical and HVAC permits. To access the ePermit applications, you can navigate to the Central Permits Office webpage.
Once an applicant completes the ePermit application they will be directed to pay by credit card. Upon payment, they will receive an email confirmation that their permit was received. Then, the Central Permit Office staff will process the permit, and a copy of the physical permit will be available to the applicant. Finally, an inspector will reach out to the applicant to schedule an inspection, and will visit the building site to conduct the inspection.
After we rollout Phase I of ePermits, we will begin moving ahead with the next phase which includes Fire Permits. Stay tuned for what is to come!