Online permitting is a new and modern solution for all municipalities permitting concerns. As you are likely already aware, permitting is typically a long process for constituents and local businesses that are looking for approvals or licenses. This is due to all of the paperwork, organization, and manpower involved in processing a single permit request using traditional methods. However, online permitting automates many aspects of the process, making it faster and more convenient for constituents and government workers alike.
It is no surprise to anyone in government that local government officials face many roadblocks and work silos while processing these licensing and permitting requests, daily. Government offices across the country are often bogged down with permitting requests from constituents that need to be addressed, but too often take weeks or months to even process.
Local government timelines and efficiency will be improved greatly with online permitting software that has the ability to automate virtually every step of the permitting process to save time and money.
Governments of any size can benefit from online permitting, it will simplify, streamline and unify your government operations across departments! Keep reading to learn how you can benefit from online permitting and why it is vital that you try it out for yourself!
Table Of Contents: What To Expect
- What Is Online Permitting?
- What Online Permitting Can Do
- How Does Online Permitting Work?
- Online Permitting Solutions For Your Municipality
What Is Online Permitting Software?
Permitting software is a game-changer for local governments as new bills such as NJ Construction Bill 1145 push for automated technology to complete permit review processes. That being said, online permitting software for local governments enables the permitting processes of your municipalities' various departments to be conducted from beginning to end in a fully online, cloud-based platform.
Digital permit applications can be accessed and filed by your constituents directly on your municipal or county website without any need for online navigation to other platforms. This allows businesses and residents to apply 24/7 without needing to take a trip to city hall. Online permitting software eliminates PDFs, email, phone calls, checks, manual data entry, and other antiquated processes that often come with permit request renewals. With modern permitting software for governments, public officials can approve or deny applications via an easy to use digital module that streamlines operations for government workers and citizens.
Permitting software performs the following functions:
- Automates workflows to save time and resources
- Increases permit application completion rates
- Shortens the time from application to certification
- Stores permitting records and data in the government cloud
Read our basics guide on How Permitting Software Works here!
The Basics of What Online Permitting Can Do
Online permitting is meant to streamline your approval processes, simplify the experience for constituents, and save time for local government workers. Learn all about what it can do:
1. Moves Your Permitting Operations Online
Online permitting is designed to help your municipality undergo a digital transformation and move your operations online to unify them and keep all records in one central location. Moving operations online gives your departments the power to work online, virtually which enhances collaboration and speeds up project timelines.
When permitting processes move online, they are easier to complete. For example, before a citizen can submit an application they are required to fill out all fields on an application to ensure they don’t have to resubmit and waste time.
Learn how to combat these 5 Common Local Government Productivity Roadblocks.
2. Removes “Bureaucratic Red Tape”
Oftentimes, when constituents complain about “Bureaucratic Red Tape” they are referring to the long amounts of time that they are stuck waiting for government processes to be completed. When it comes to permitting, constituents are often left waiting for permit approvals for weeks or even months due to the amount of manpower it takes a municipal office to process even one request.
Online permitting streamlines the permit application, review, and approval processes from beginning to end. This reduces administrative burdens on employees and processing times that it takes to alert constituents of their approval/denial.
Learn all about our Guide To Time Saving Strategies For Local Governments here!
3. Real-Time Permit Tracking + Online Review of Applications
Automated notification delivery and frequent process updates are another aspect of permitting that can be fully automated sent to all involved parties immediately. Gone are the days when clerks and code enforcement officials had to reach out to applicants, individually updating them on the progress of their submission. Instead, with GovPilot’s real time permit tracking feature, constituents can save themselves a trip to city hall and receive their updates through email or text.
Learn all about Public Sector Robotic Process Automation here!
4. More Application Completions
After municipalities upgrade from traditional, manual permit review processes to automated permitting software they experience over double the rate of application completions! Using this software to process permit requests typically helps municipalities see improved results as applicants are able to pause their submission to work on it later, attach all relevant paperwork to their online application, and make fewer errors.
Learn How Local Governments Can & Should Use the Cloud here!
A Deeper Understanding: How Does Online Permitting Work?
Online permitting works in a handful of steps and various automated actions. If you are interested in a breakdown of how online permitting for local governments actually works, read on about these steps:
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Applicants Fill Out Permit Requests Online
First, applicants will navigate online to your local government website, that can house all constituent-facing permit applications and forms. Directly on your government website, constituents and business owners will be able to access all documentation and applications that they must fill out in order to obtain their permit.
All necessary documentation from the applicants are mandatory upon submission of their permit request in this stage, which ensures no files or documents are missing from their application which could slow down the approval process.
Check out our Guide To Creating Content For Your Local Government Website and ADA Website Compliance Checklist Guide here!
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Application Is Automatically Sent To The Appropriate Department
Once an applicant submits their permit request and all attached documentation through your local government website, their application is automatically routed to the appropriate department. These digital applications are sent to any and all departments in your local government that are required to review the permit request.
The automation of the application disbursement through the cloud allows multiple departments to work on a single application at once, without having to send a paper document from building to building once their task is completed. This saves local governments time, and money while speeding up approval times for citizens.
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All Documents Are Uploaded To The Cloud
Automatically upon submission of an application into your system, all documents will be uploaded to the cloud for storage so that any employee with authorization can access them from anywhere, anytime. This automatic upload and backup eliminates the need for paper file storage which is less secure and less organized than digital storage in the government cloud.
Learn everything about Why Cloud Storage Is Safer Than Local File Storage!
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Automated Notification Delivery
During the permit review process, constituents will no longer have to call your local government offices to inquire about their application. With online permitting solutions, notifications and updates are automatically sent to all involved parties to keep applicants informed as their permit passes through review.
Departments that need to review applications will also receive automated updates that notify them when they have a task to complete. Overall, the automation of notifications helps to keep permit review processes moving quickly and efficiently, with less work placed on government workers.
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Document Organization is Streamlined
All documentation regarding permitting is saved and backed up on the cloud so all departments can reference them as needed. Once an application is reviewed, approved and saved to the cloud the information is stored indefinitely for reference in the future. This makes document organization in your municipal offices digital and efficient so that government employees don’t have to sift through thousands of paper files anymore.
Online Permitting Solutions For Your Municipality
The digital age offers various solutions to permitting roadblocks for all departments that can help them save time and lessen their burdens. Check out these helpful online permitting solutions from GovPilot for various departments within your municipal government!
Make The Switch To Online Permitting Now
Utilize GovPilot software and partner with our experts today, to streamline online permitting processes and simplify governance throughout your entire municipality. Both constituents and government workers will experience time savings and increased efficiency with these online forms. Look into undergoing a digital transformation in your municipality and book a consultation with GovPilot.
Online Permitting FAQs
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Why is online permitting better for constituents?
Online permitting allows constituents to submit their necessary applications and requests to the government without ever having to leave their own homes. Online processes like online permitting bring the convenience of the modern world of Uber and Netflix to your constituents by making it possible for them to reach your government 24/7, from anywhere.
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How are online permits so much faster for government workers to process?
Online permits are much faster for government workers to process because they are all kept on one platform, accessible to all appropriate departments through the cloud, and submitted with fewer errors due to the online submission guidelines.
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