Mill Creek to switch permitting system to OpenGov; phased rollout begins with tree permits and code enforcement

The City of Mill Creek plans to replace its older permitting software with OpenGov, with a phased transition that begins this fall and aims for a full go-live on Jan. 1, 2026, city staff told the council on Oct. 21.

Jeff Ryan, director of planning (standing in for the department—s senior planner), said the upgrade is intended to consolidate multiple permitting and code-enforcement systems, improve tracking (including tracking enforcement by parcel), and streamline customer experience as the city prepares to adopt an updated fee schedule and new permitting workflows.

The contract timeline presented to council: project kickoff in April, system configuration through summer, administrator training in October, a soft launch of the code-enforcement and tree-permit modules in November—December, and a broad go-live for community development and other permit types on Jan. 1, 2026. Staff said the city—s existing contract for the current permitting vendor expires in March, so the transition will require closing out or importing historical permits and communicating carefully with active applicants.

Ryan said staff will import historical permitting records that are needed for parcel-based searches and will retain final documents as required by retention rules. The outreach plan includes email blasts to current account holders, notices on the city website and social media, short instructional videos, and presentations or demonstrations at community and builder meetings. Ryan offered to brief the regular builders' council and asked council members to share talking points when they meet with constituents.

The phased approach will allow staff to test workflows on lower-risk, year-round permit types (tree permits are typically free to the applicant) and refine procedures before launching more complex permitting types tied to construction and public events.