Washington County unveils online portal for streamlined building permit applications

Washington County officials are making significant strides in improving building permit processes, aiming to enhance service delivery for residents. During a recent development forum, Derek Moon, the county's building official, introduced an upgraded online portal designed to streamline permit applications. This new system allows residents to submit applications for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and solar permits online, eliminating the need for email submissions that previously burdened staff with data entry.

The portal is set to expand in September to include building permits, enabling users to fill out applications and make payments directly through the platform. This change is expected to significantly reduce processing times and improve efficiency for both residents and county staff.

Currently, the building services department is managing around 200 inspections daily, a robust figure for this time of year. Efforts are underway to enhance staffing levels, with interviews for additional permit technician positions already in progress. This staffing boost is made possible by a fee increase approved last year, which is helping the department reach optimal service levels.

In addition to the online portal, the county is transitioning its systems to cloud-based solutions, with plans to move the Accela program to the cloud by September. This shift is anticipated to further improve operational efficiency.

Another exciting development is the approval of a pilot drone program, which will assist in inspections that are difficult to conduct in person, such as those on rooftops. This innovative approach is expected to enhance the county's inspection capabilities.

The forum also highlighted ongoing efforts to refine the current planning development review process, which had been stalled due to the pandemic. Officials are now revisiting this workflow and are seeking volunteers for beta testing the new online application process.

As Washington County continues to modernize its services, these improvements are poised to make a tangible difference in the daily lives of residents, ensuring a more efficient and user-friendly experience when navigating building permits and inspections.