Electronic Permitting Systems Improve Process and Information

Electronic construction permitting is changing the way communities across the nation do business. Computer-based tools and services automate and streamline the building permit process, expediting it for builders, inspectors, and plan reviewers. As a result, builders, homeowners, and municipal staff receive higher quality and more timely information.

To help America's communities with the process of selecting and implementing an electronic permitting system, HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research and the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) recently published "Electronic Permitting Systems and How to Implement Them." The guide covers all aspects of implementing electronic systems from choosing a system that meets the needs of a community to justifying the cost and selecting a contractor to install the system. Case studies present details on the experiences of various jurisdictions in changing over to electronic permitting systems. The guide's appendices contain copies of process documents used by municipalities.

Permitting Software Is Designed to Meet Many Needs

Initiated by a few pioneering jurisdictions in the early 1980s, electronic permitting is becoming mainstream. Private vendors offer a variety of excellent permitting software and systems that can be tailored to a jurisdiction's needs. Many can be integrated into larger, government-wide electronic management systems. Regardless of the software or system used, progressive local governments everywhere are adopting electronic permitting.

As more building departments move to electronic permitting, they add to a valuable pool of experienced advice, best practices, and lessons learned. The case studies featured in the guide examine different aspects of implementing electronic permitting in different kinds of jurisdictions.

• Three small jurisdictions demonstrate very different solutions to advancing the building permitting process from paper and file cards to computer networks.
  
• Three medium-sized jurisdictions show the need for close coordination among all participants in the building permitting process to implement effective integrated systems.
  
• Large jurisdictions contend with implementation issues on a greater scale, and solutions must be developed through regional cooperation and collaboration.
  
• Case studies on the network in Silicon Valley demonstrate the rage of electronic permitting capabilities needed to satisfy various sizes and types of building departments.

By using "Electronic Permitting Systems and How to Implement Them," communities can benefit from the experience of others and implement systems with better results and at a lower cost.