Eastpointe says permits will be faster, offers same‑day service for many jobs

At a public permitting workshop, Kimberly Smith, planning and community development director for the City of Eastpointe, told residents the department is rebuilding staff and wants to make permitting easier and faster for homeowners, contractors and businesses. "This is my seventh year…we thought it would be a very, very good idea to reach out to our community…to provide an overview of exactly what we do in the planning and community development department," Smith said.

The presentation explained how residents start with applications on the city website and submit permits through the BSNA portal. "After you complete your application, then you want to go to the BSNA portal," Terrence Harris, permits and license manager, said, adding the city has returned to an online-first submission process launched during COVID.

City staff said some permits are processed the same day if they do not trigger a building permit or plan review; examples listed included yard sales, many plumbing and electrical permits, roof permits, HVAC, tree permits (fewer than five trees),…