Simplifying the Building Permit Process for Code Violations

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Planning & Development Services (PDS) developed and implemented a streamlined permit application process for rectifying code violations. This helped simplify the process and help customers resolve their building code violations. The new process includes a guidance document to accompany the building permit application and describes the code violation(s) that require a building permit. To further assist customers, the streamlined process also removed the previous requirement that a licensed professional draw the building plans for certain structures such as storage or similar non-habitable structures. The process also helps customers who made past improvements that no longer meet the current building code. PDS considers when improvements were made and determines if the structure met the building code at the time of construction. The new guidance documents and handouts better facilitate direct and clear communication on what was not in compliance with the proposed project, help the customer process the building permit and result in a quicker resolution of violations.