West DSM News

The City of Waukee has a new permit application system that offers a more efficient application experience. The new system improves back-end processes for staff and streamlines the application process for users, which is expected to reduce turnaround times for permits, inspection reports and certificates. Whether you’re a resident adding a fence, deck or building to your property or a commercial builder, you’ll enjoy a number of new features:

• Previously entered information will auto-fill throughout the application process.
• Users can save a draft submittal and return to it later.
• Users can add guests to a record for visibility at any point in the process.
• Fees can be paid by credit card within the portal.
• Submitters can track communication with City staff and the status of their application within the portal.

The type of information requested for permits is not changing, and reference documents for various permits remain available at Waukee.org. Note that Sidewalk and Utility applications are not available in the new portal at this time and should be submitted to the Public Works department.

How to get started:

1. Create your account within our portal. If you previously had an account with OpenGov in another city, you may use the same login credentials for the City of Waukee page. If you enter an email address previously used in the OpenGov system, it will tell you.
2. Review help guides to get familiar with the new portal.
3. Use the Search box to quickly find the permit application you’re looking for.
4. If you need to gather information or step away from your application, use the Save Draft function in the upper right.

Best Practices & Things to Know

FOR RESIDENTS

For builds and home improvements:

• Before beginning a project, contact the Community Development office to request a copy of your site or building plan.
• General contractors and subcontractors are all required to have appropriate permits. Once you sign contracts, ensure permit applications are submitted before work begins or at the appropriate point of your project. Plan ahead as the City has up to 12 business days to review a submission. Questions, inaccurate information or incomplete information could extend that review time.
• If your contractor will submit permit applications, they can add you as a guest to the record if you desire visibility into the permit process.

For other permit needs:

• Event-related permits and peddler permits are not in the new portal at this time. Use the application links at Permits & Applications page to access the relevant form.
• Pet licenses can be obtained via PetData.com.
• Urban Chicken permits are available via the new portal. You must complete online training before applying for the annual permit in order to have chickens on your property.
• Mobile food unit permits (annual) can be requested in the new system.

FOR COMMERCIAL/PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS OR TRADES:

• We recommend that your company creates one account under your company name and shares the credentials across staff members rather than creating multiple individual accounts. This enables anyone with the login credentials to access your company’s records, which is helpful if staff members are out of the office. You can now add the superintendent’s email as a guest to a record, so they get real-time updates on relevant permit applications.
• Use the “Add Guest” feature when there is a change in superintendent or where transparency is needed with homebuyers.
• The system sends automatic notifications for actions taken on records from City staff and by you. If you want to change your notification preferences, go to your User Profile.

If you have feedback or questions about the new system, please email CommunityDevelopment@waukee.org.

Original source can be found here.