MODEL # 98-13
PROCEDURAL STREAMLINING AND CUSTOMER CHECKLIST
CITY OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Jurisdiction Statistics:

• Population: 445,800
• Size (square miles): 322
• Dollar Amount of Construction Per Year: $697 million
• % Construction:

• Commercial- 28%; Residential- 21%; Rehab- 51%

Regulatory Areas:

• Administration and Enforcement

Permitting Procedures - Inefficiencies

The City of Kansas City experienced slowness in permit processing due to applications that were missing required items, poor communication among departments, and overlapping regulations.

SOLUTION:

Procedural Streamlining & Customer Checklist

To remedy the problem, the Department of Codes Administration created a review checklist that outlines clearly all of the required steps to be followed by the permit applicant, including all necessary forms and documents to be submitted. The Department also identified regulations that were overlapping or ineffective, and consolidated or removed these regulations. The roles of the various departments were also clarified to promote smoothness of the permit review process.

DESCRIPTION:

The plan review checklist is organized into sections by department. Each section gives contact information for the department, estimated turnaround time for review by that department, applicable codes and regulations with which to comply, and a list of steps to follow and documentation to be submitted. The checklist begins with a detailed and informative introduction to the permit review process, and discusses all crucial points for the first time applicant as well as seasoned applicants.

EVALUATION BY STREAMLINING COMMITTEES:

Advantages

• Trains customers to reduce "re-work," saving time and money all around;
• Thorough checklist provided and excellent process for regular updates;
• Easy to replicate;
• Identifies overlapping or outdated regulation

• Information on the program's results was not provided.

IMPLEMENTATION:

This program was implemented by administrative action of the City of Kansas City.

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

Richard H. Usher
Division Manager of Permits
City of Kansas City, Missouri
Department of Codes Administration
18^th Floor, City Hall
414 East 12^th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 274-1703
FAX: (816) 274-1780
Email: richard_usher@kcmo.org
Website: http://www.kcmo.org/codes/home.htm

Or NCSBCS STAFF:
Carolyn Fitch
National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards
505 Huntmar Park Drive, Suite 210
Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: (703) 437-0100
FAX:    (703) 481-3596
Email: cfitch@ncsbcs.org