MODEL # 97-10

EXPRESS SERVICE
CITY OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

REGULATORY AREAS:
Administration & Enforcement

PROBLEM:

The City of Raleigh sought to make the building permitting process faster and more efficient, thereby saving both customers and the city time and money.

SOLUTION:

The City created the Express Service program to streamline their building permit process.

DESCRIPTION:

The Express Service program was developed to reduce the time necessary for plan review and permitting. Rather than the usual long periods of time required to attain an approved plan review, under this process the entire review can be completed in a single day, so long as the plan is properly prepared. This is possible if the builder/designer arranges to meet with the appropriate plans examiners on a previously scheduled Tuesday or Thursday evening. If all the plans are prepared to the reviewer's satisfaction, approval can be expected that same evening.

Two forms are required, the Express Plan Review Request and the Express Plan Review Application, and are shown at the end of the submission. Prior to these forms are the descriptions of the General Requirements, which include when and how to schedule an Express Review, the costs, and the number and types of plans required. This is followed by the Express Services Process which lists the appropriate contacts, and describes how one should proceed whether the plans are approved or disapproved.

EVALUATION BY STREAMLINING COMMITTEES:

The Administration & Enforcement Task Group lists as main program strength the fact that developers are rewarded if they understand the process, abide by laws, and prepare complete plans that are code compliant. Other strengths include expedited plan review process for some groups, and having a good concept for "getting outside the box."

The Regulatory Affairs Committee and National Project Review Committee made no modifications to this program, and both recommend using this program as a tool in conjunction with other models that streamline the building permit process.

IMPLEMENTATION:

The Express Services Program is currently in place in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was developed in a cooperative effort by the Raleigh City Manager, Inspections Staff, and members of the local development community. Development community members included architects, engineers, contractors, property owners, and property managers. Adoption of the program was accomplished through administrative action. Development costs were negligible.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN CONSIDERING THE USE OF THIS MODEL, PLEASE CONTACT:

Edward Owens
Inspections Director
City of Raleigh
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
(919) 890-3701
FAX (919) 890-3016