Practice Management Member Conversations

 View Only

  • 1.  "Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-05-2015 09:27 PM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Project Delivery and Practice Management Member Conversations .
    -------------------------------------------

    I'm gathering 'Best Practice' permit streamlining examples for a program at the Atlanta convention, and would appreciate hearing about any examples you have experienced. 

    I'm particularly interested in hearing about use of 'Permit in a Day' programs (such as Dallas' QTeam; Raleigh 'Express Review); "Prequalification" programs where plans prepared according to a 'plan check friendly template' get expedited review while the jurisdiction experiences quicker processing (one example uses the AIA Florida's "Guide to  Creating Code Compliant Documents"); and "Professional Certification" programs that are 'architect friendly' in how they are structured and implemented. 

    With staff reductions of up to 80% in some building jurisdictions during the recession, there is increasing interest in finding ways to operate more efficiently and effectively in permit processing, which can be a 'win win' - with benefits to community economic development, jobs, adding to the high performance building stock, and lowering costs for both public and private sector.

    Thanks for taking a moment to share, even if only a sentence or two.  If your story touches more on the 'dark side' of programs that are not so architect friendly - that's of interest as well.

    -------------------------------------------
    Michael Malinowski AIA
    AIACC President Elect 2015/2016
    Applied Architecture, Inc.
    Sacramento CA
    -------------------------------------------


  • 2.  RE:"Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-06-2015 06:02 PM

    Mr. Malinowski,
    Since I will not be at the convention, I would love to hear of anything positive that is related to you. We can certainly use these strategies in California, both at the local level as well as with DSA and OSHPD.
    -------------------------------------------
    Chester Salit AIA
    Pasadena CA
    -------------------------------------------



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: "Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-07-2015 09:38 PM
    Hi Chester
    I have put together a web platform for permit streamline best practice sharing that I will update with new findings and stories; it's here for your use:

    www.permitstreamline.com

    Cheers

    -------------------------------------------
    Michael Malinowski AIA
    AIACC President Elect
    Applied Architecture, Inc.
    Sacramento CA
    -------------------------------------------


    Original Message


  • 4.  RE:"Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-08-2015 05:29 PM
    Thank you, Michael.

    -------------------------------------------
    Chester Salit AIA
    Pasadena CA
    -------------------------------------------



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:"Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-06-2015 06:11 PM
    Michael,
    Since I will not be at the convention, I would love to follow up with you regarding any positive strategies that may be shared. We can certainly use more streamlined approaches in California, both at the local level as well as with DSA and OSHPD.

    -------------------------------------------
    Chester Salit AIA
    Pasadena CA
    -------------------------------------------



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: "Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-06-2015 06:15 PM
    Michael,
    Since I will not be at the convention, I would love to follow up with you if you receive any information about other positive strategies.  We can certainly use some streamline-oriented strategies in California, both at the local level, as well as with DSA and OSHPD.

    -------------------------------------------
    Chester Salit AIA
    Pasadena CA
    -------------------------------------------


    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: "Permit Streamlining" Have a quick story to share?

    Posted 01-08-2015 06:04 PM
    There are two practices here in Philadelphia which have proved helpful. The most popular by far is the "Accelerated" permit. With the payment of a $520 fee, you can accelerate any building or zoning permit application. This means that you get a response in 5-10 days.This was originally set up as a way to thwart the "expediters" who would charge a fee to push your permit and used relationships with the plan examiners to do so. This way, it is completely open. The fee was intended to pay for staff overtime to get the work done. It worked well as long as the plan examiners were allowed to take the work home to do. It has become more problematic since the Department of Licenses and Inspections (which issues permits) has required the work to be done in the office (which makes it less attractive to staffers). But it still gets permits moved much more quickly.

    Another device, which has not been used as much, is that for single family houses of three stories and under, the design professional can "self certify" the plans, allowing the permit to be issued in 5 days.
    -------------------------------------------
    Jerry Roller AIA
    Firm Owner/Architect
    JKR Partners
    Philadelphia PA
    -------------------------------------------


    Original Message