The System of Permits

What are permits?

Cities require permits for a variety of activities. They can include:

• Building a deck

• Putting in a pool

• Adding a shed

• Setting off fireworks

• Hosting a block party

• Parking on the street

• Updating plumbing

If you don't have the required permits, you can get fined or your activity can be drastically delayed.

The problem with permits

Most people don't know they need a specific permit to do a specific activity. Once you do realize, it might be too late for your activity's timeline. Getting a permit is a multi-step process that often includes other permits, an in-person visit, and reviews from city officials, all of which can take a lot of time. It's such a hassle for residents that there are entire consulting agencies spun up around the concept of applying for permits on time.

Case study: City of Philadelphia

In the City of Philadelphia, there are 72 permits at the time of writing. Our team put together a spreadsheet with the name of the permit and the link. Let's walkthrough the process.

The most straightforward result

There are 24 "EZ" permits, which are meant to be a page or two to submit. However, depending on the activity, you may have to submit multiple. Also each permit has a list of their own logical conditions that you must satisfy. You could be filling out your third permit before you realize your project doesn't qualify for an EZ permit at all… and this is the most straightforward outcome.

The more complicated result

If your project doesn't qualify for an EZ permit— for example, it could be a historic building or the building is over 3 stories tall, to name a few conditions— then you'll need several other permits. Some permits, like the Zoning for Site Clearing or Earth Disturbance is required prior to the Building permit. But if your project is in a floodplain, you'll need an additional review and permit for that. There are also hard number requirements for the size and slope of the land area you'll have to meet.

How to make the system easier

At FSH Tech, we understand that processes exist for a reason. Permits help keep people safe from dangerous activities. They protect our land and our neighbors from accidental harm. The right solution should give residents access to information and services in a timely manner. That's why we're tackling this problem in several pieces.

The first step is giving residents an overview on what's needed, so that they don't get stuck in a chain of conditional permits. Residents typically think about their activity in terms of what they want to accomplish, not what permits they need. That's why our solution is designed in natural language for residents to look up their activity, and then receive the permit requirements. City websites are often organized in reverse, by having a list of permits and expecting residents to know which permits they need.

The second step is designing a user experience for residents that allows them to quickly identify which permits they qualify for by asking simple plain language questions. This process is similar to the concept of filing taxes. Sure you could hire an accountant if your taxes are complicated, but most people can file their own taxes if the process is streamlined and in understandable questions. That's what we've done with the EZ permit process. You can try out our demo here.

We're actively working on more solutions to the permit system. If you have ideas, fill out our contact form and we'll be in touch!