Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality: City to implement improved permitting system

July 24, 2024 3:58 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 24, 2024) - Following a unanimous vote by the City Council, Santa Monica is moving forward with an initiative that will benefit businesses, home renovators and property owners by providing an updated, streamlined and comprehensive online system to secure building permits.

The City Council Tuesday approved a $3.8 million, five-year contract with Speridian Technologies, LLC to adopt and implement the Clariti permitting and land use management system. The new system is expected to be fully implemented in the next 18 months.

The move is a direct result of staff input and an extensive evaluation of the existing permitting system and processes. Tuesday's council vote clears the way for the city to invest in an up-to-date, modern and more intuitive permitting system that will guide customers through the permit application process and make the overall review and approval process more efficient for both the public and city staff.

This action furthers the city's strategic priority of fostering Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality.

"Opening a business can be complicated, so any way we can help to make the process smoother on the city side is a huge win for everyone," Mayor Phil Brock said. "This new system will help us attract businesses to open here and thrive for years to come."

The new system covers permitting processes end-to-end: from application to review to issuance to fee assessment to inspections. The modern platform will enable efficiencies, enhance the applicant experience, and provide a "one-stop shop" for land management, along with the corresponding planning, licensing, permitting and enforcement functions.

The updates build upon ongoing efforts from the city to make it easier to do business in Santa Monica, including streamlining existing permitting processes and easing zoning requirements downtown.

"We all have the same goal, which is to get projects in and out of our queue as quickly and efficiently as possible while ensuring safety, environmental and other requirements are met," Community Development Director David Martin said. "I'm proud that we took the initiative to look at our existing practices and are now taking concrete steps to improve and innovate."

In addition to improving customer experience, the new permitting system will:

• Streamline application submittal and permit approval processes.
• Provide intuitive systems that are simpler to navigate via an online portal with a single sign-on user experience.
• Reduce manual processes and improve efficiencies through use of increased automation.
• Improve reporting and availability of permitting metrics, such as number and type of permits, for city staff and the public.
• Provide reports and dashboards for city staff to better monitor permit processes and status.
• Improve integration with other city technology systems.

For more information on building permits and plan review in Santa Monica, click here.

Media Contact

Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
[email protected]

Categories

Business, Council And Commissions, Licenses And Permits, Policies, Strategic Priorities

Departments

Community Development

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