As the business world continues to become more electronic-based, the City of Arlington is using new technology to be more efficient and customer friendly.
As part of the City Council’s priority to Put Technology to Work, the City’s Planning and Development Services Department now offers electronic plan review for all residential and commercial building permits, fence permits, sign permits, swimming pool permits, and all other construction permits. This new process, available at www.ArlingtonPermits.com, will save customers time and money by allowing them to submit their applications, upload plans, and pay fees from their home or office computers instead of traveling to City Hall.
In this episode of MyArlingtonTV’s Ask Arlington, Planning and Development Director, Gincy Thoppil, AICP, explains the benefits of electronic plan review.
In the past, developers or residents who were seeking certain types of permits had to provide at least two sets of printed plans to the City for review, as well as additional sets of plans if changes were necessary. Plotting plans in 24 inches by 36 inches can be expensive, with the average set of plans for a new commercial building costing between $200 and $500 per set.
Electronic plan review does not any special software, just internet access and the ability to scan and upload .pdf files. Planning and Development Services staff receives the plan submission once the customer hits the “submit” button. No more fighting traffic and road construction to travel across the Metroplex or beyond, lugging heavy sets of plans to City Hall, or waiting in line to submit for permit. Customers will also be able to receive any plan review comments and plan markups through this same website, as well as resubmit any revisions.
No additional fees are associated with electronic plan review.
Other development applications, such as plat applications and site plans, will soon be available for submittal electronically. Eventually, all building permit and development applications will be available for electronic submittal.
Put Technology to Work, MyArlingtonTV
News, Government, Headlines