The portal, which launched May 15, aims to streamline the overall permitting process by allowing applicants to submit applications and plans digitally, view and receive status updates electronically, schedule inspections with multiple departments and pay fees up to $50,000 online, according to the city’s website.
The city’s previous experience with its eTRAKiT permitting system inspired the new portal, said Nathan Smith, a geospatial services manager for the city.
“We had a portal, but our user base could only do so much with it,” Smith said. “They could schedule an inspection and check on the status of permits, maybe print their permit card and print a report of their inspections, but that was about it.”
Another disadvantage of the previous system was that customers had to submit documents in person first. Once they did, they could use the city’s eTRAKiT portal to monitor permit progress, review comments and schedule inspections.
The new system simplifies this process by allowing users to handle everything online, including applying for the following permits:
- Land development, zoning and annexation
- Commercial and residential building permits and inspections
- Fire code permits and inspections
- Easement requisitions
- Historic preservation
- Public signs
- License agreements
- Transportation right of way
- Special events
- Alcohol beverage permits
“This whole project took about two and a half years from its inception to go-live,” Smith said. “We worked with an implementer called Timmons Group, and the software that we leveraged is Cityworks by Trimble.”
So far, “we’ve gotten some really good feedback from builders and engineering firms about the portal and features they’d like to see,” Smith said.
Based on this feedback, the city plans to add several post-go-live enhancements, such as viewing all scheduled inspections on one screen and adding email notifications when city staff leaves a comment for permit applications and vice versa, Smith said.
