Government permitting and licensing software, hosted either on-premise or in the cloud, offers a complete solution for governments to digitize permitting and licensing processes and activities. It allows individuals and businesses to access government services online, and for agency staff to manage these services more efficiently in one centralized place. Explained simply, permitting and licensing software streamlines, automates, and improves day-to-day functions for staff, and provides a straightforward shopping-like experience for citizens and businesses to request a permit or license, and pay for it online - whether it’s a building or special-use permit, or professional or liquor license.
With permitting and licensing software, governments can divert from tedious, resource-draining paper-based processes, and instead offer these services electronically, mirroring the user-friendly experience of other online consumer services. By going digital, cities, counties, and states can meet citizens’ expectations for accessible, hassle-free online government services.
A government permitting and licensing software solution works to significantly reduce permit and license wait times, improve citizen experience and staff efficiency, and optimize processes and day-to-day tasks. It offers one solution to power every permitting and licensing workflow - from application and intake, to review, inspection, approval and issuance - and provides powerful features like GIS, electronic document generation and review, and comprehensive online financial capabilities.
For citizens and businesses, electronic permitting and licensing, or e-permitting and e-licensing, offers the convenience of 24/7 remote access to government services from any device (mobile, tablet, computer), and the ability to apply for and obtain a permit or license independently, without ever needing to go to a government office, or interact with staff by phone or mail. Applicants gain complete transparency into the process, and can check their application status in real-time. With just one login, users can see their current and past applications, request and schedule an inspection, find data about their community such as building and property history, or check the status and timelines of community projects and infrastructure repairs.
Similarly, government departments experience many of the same benefits and more, such as increased transparency, access to real-time information, simpler and faster processes, and the ability to manage complex workflows seamlessly online. Permitting and licensing software empowers staff to work more efficiently by reducing redundant efforts and time spent on administrative tasks. Staff time is freed up from a drastic reduction in phone inquiries and office visits; and from a reduction in manual updates and tasks as a result of automation and detailed visual reports and dashboards.
An efficient permitting and licensing solution is equally beneficial to citizens, businesses, and government staff; it has all digital workflows to review and approve permits and licenses quickly and compliantly, while calculating and receiving fees without staff intervention. Clariti’s permitting and licensing software provides governments with all of the necessary tools to serve efficiently. Purpose-built to provide the optimal permitting and licensing experience, your agency will benefit from a powerful suite of features to improve operations.
These features and capabilities not only improve and accelerate processes, but can contribute to a considerable increase in government revenue, too. Given that licensing, permitting, and inspections services account for a large portion of state and local budgets, making these services more efficient can result in a significant boost to revenue coming from licensing and permitting fees, property tax, leasing costs, and an increase in construction activity. If building permits are approved faster, and licenses granted quicker, development will increase, more businesses will open, and employment will grow. And for the 25% of U.S. professionals that require a license to do their jobs, speeding up and simplifying the licensing process supports an easier, less complicated entry into the job market. The Institute for Justice estimates that due to the inefficiencies and issues of traditional paper-based or largely paper-based occupational licensing methods, licensing may cost the U.S. economy in the range of 1.8 million jobs, $6.2 billion in lost output, and upwards of $183.9 billion in misallocated resources each year.
As explained in the article, Digitizing Licensing and Permitting a Win-Win for Local Governments and Constituents, “the digitization of licensing, permitting and inspection services... represents the next phase of digital transformation in the public sector. Digital LPI (licensing, permitting, and inspections) services will help governments address immediate issues associated with the pandemic, and will provide longer-term dividends for employees and constituents.”
Interested to learn more about permitting and licensing software and how it could support your permitting and licensing programs? Get in touch with us to discuss your community’s unique needs, and we’ll help you to find the best-fit solution.
