Case Study
Case Study: City of Stratford, ON
ePermitting Solution Increases Efficiencies and Improves Citizen Service Delivery
Introduction
Stratford, a renowned southwestern Ontario community known for its theater and municipal innovation, undertook a transformative project to replace their outdated permitting system. In a bid to address inefficiencies and enhance service delivery, they adopted Citywide Permitting, a leading permitting solution that consolidates all permitting processes into one user-friendly software platform. This transition to ePermitting software has not only enabled Stratford’s building department to work efficiently and digitally but also to provide improved customer service to residents and developers.
Challenge
Stratford faced a series of challenges with their legacy permitting system, which prompted the need for a modernized solution. They migrated fourteen years’ worth of historical permit data, encompassing over 30,000 historical permits scattered across seventeen spreadsheets into Citywide Permitting. Stratford worked with PSD Citywide’s experienced Advisors to analyze, define, and configure: over 60 permit types, over 50 inspection types, over 80 fee types, and other customized elements. The unique character of Stratford’s building inventory, including numerous heritage properties, required a tailored permitting software solution.
Solutions
Jonathan DeWeerd, Chief Building Official for the City of Stratford and Kelsey Hammond, Municipal Building Official, explained that the reporting capabilities of Citywide Permitting provides a considerable upgrade from their legacy system, allowing for more simplistic data manipulation. This streamlined reporting process, which previously involved manual analysis, now required only a few clicks within Citywide Permitting, saving time and enhancing data accuracy. Additionally, the integration of GIS mapping capabilities for conservation and regulatory boundaries provided essential visual cues, minimizing the risk of errors in the permitting process.
“
Running statistics for January showcased the simplicity of the system – it was so easy to pull information into excel, customize our reporting and manipulate the data.
“
Jonathan DeWeerd
Chief Building Official, City of Stratford
Results
Citywide Permitting brought about transformative changes for Stratford. The implementation of ePermitting software allowed customers, including contractors and residents, to submit building permit applications online via the Citywide Portal, eliminating the need for physical visits to municipal offices. The software’s mobile application, Citywide Mobile facilitated the transition from paper-based inspection notes to direct uploads by contractors in the field. This shift to digital inspections is estimated to save Stratford approximately 50% of staff time. Real-time access to uploaded notes and the ability to print reports directly from the software streamlined processes, reduced errors, and resulted in significant time and cost savings for the City.
Looking ahead, Stratford plans to further refine its approach by exploring additional capabilities within Citywide Permitting. They are keen to integrate the planning component of the software and harness the Citywide Maintenance solution complaint functionality to further assist by-law. Additionally, the City intends to leverage the licensing component of Citywide Permitting for issuing specific licenses, such as those for bed and breakfasts and trade licenses, thereby continuing to enhance municipal operations and services.
50%
of Staff Time Saved
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Case Study: City of Stratford
ePermitting Solution Increases Efficiencies
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Streamlined Reporting Process
What previously involved manual analysis, now requires only a few clicks within Citywide Permitting, saving time and enhancing data accuracy.
50% of Staff Time Saved
With Citywide Mobile, the city can uploadnotes in real-time and can print reports directly from the software, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
Essential Visual Cues
Integration of GIS mapping capabilities for conservation and regulatory boundaries provide visual cues, minimizing the risk of errors in the permitting process.
Stratford, a southwestern Ontario community known for municipal innovation, undertook a transformative project to replace their outdated permitting system. They adopted Citywide Permitting which has enabled Stratford’s building department to work both efficiently and digitally, while also providing improved customer service to residents and developers.
“Running statistics for January showcased the simplicity of the system – it was so easy to pull information into excel, customize our reporting and manipulate the data.”
