Homebuilder’s saving time and money thanks to Residential ePermit

Residential ePermit, The City’s new online permitting tool is making it faster and easier for homebuilders to do business with The City. Over 1600 new home construction permits in developing communities, or Single Construction Permits, have been submitted online since its launch April 2013. Currently, 24 homebuilders representing more than 80 percent of the new home construction market apply online. Residential ePermit is now available to all homebuilders that meet the minimum requirements.

As part of Planning, Development & Assessment Department’s eServices portfolio, Residential ePermit is the largest online initiative for the department to date, allowing customers to apply, upload and track the progress of their permit application online. The City started by adding its largest volume permit application to the web, the Single Construction Permit, and worked closely with members of the Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region to help develop and test the new online tool.

“It’s an exciting first step for our customers and The City,” notes Henry van Aken, Manager of Customer Advisory Services. “We’ve successfully created the ground work necessary to eventually bring all residential permit applications online in the future. We’re thrilled by the feedback we’ve received from homebuilders, and we’re happy to see them use the tool almost exclusively to submit their Single Construction Permit applications,” says van Aken.

About 65 percent of the Single Construction Permits currently being received are paperless, with the average online application taking less than 10 minutes to complete. “Homebuilders are saving time and money applying online, they no longer need to print, courier or send an employee to the Municipal building to apply for a permit in person,” notes van Aken. The average paper application is estimated to take customers about an hour to complete when all factors are considered.

“Canadian Home Builders’ Association - Calgary Region congratulates The City for its efforts to Cut Red Tape by introducing the ePermit program, which has positively impacted our industry,” notes Doug Whitney, CHBA - Calgary Region president. “We have heard many good comments from our members about it. By streamlining the system so our members no longer need to go down to city hall and wait in line, it is so much easier to use, saving time, resources and money not only for our builders, but for The City as well.”

Homebuilders using the online system also avoid the possibility of being charged a $317.19 re-inspection fee when planning documents required at the construction site go missing. These planning documents are now carried by The City’s Safety Codes Officers via tablet when homebuilders apply online. Last year, 614 re-inspection fees were charged to homebuilders totalling over $190,000.

The City is aiming to have new home construction permits in developed communities (Contextual dwelling and Discretionary dwelling permits) online by the end of 2014, which represents another significant portion of permit applications The City receives from industry. Future residential permit applications will be added over the next few years, eventually enabling homeowners to apply for permits including decks or garages as well.

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