Expansion of Digital and Online Services

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

In 2020, the Department of Planning & Development Services (PDS) expanded numerous online and digital services to provide increased access to public information and improve customer service. These services include Online Zoning Verification Requests, Online Building Permit Modification Requests, Online Building Plan Check and Permit Renewal, Electronic Discretionary Pre-Application and Discretionary Permit Digital Approval Processing. The majority of these are customer-facing services that use our Citizen Access web portal to simply select the business type, input information, upload electronic files and submit for processing. Submitting online means customers don’t have to do it in person at the County of San Diego (County) Permit Center, and staff can process requests electronically, including while teleworking. As part of the program, business processes have been automated to support streamlining and increase efficiency. The elements of this program build upon the County’s online resources, eliminate time constraints for customers and grant the flexibility to conduct critical business 24/7. These new services are especially beneficial for safe remote transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allows us to continue to provide important services to the public without in-person contact to protect the health and safety of our employees and the customers we serve.