This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Technology in Architectural Practice and Small Project Practitioners .
-------------------------------------------
Permit streamlining is a valuable discussion topic. Additionally, there is the issue of "electronic building permit documents". We are finding that many local jurisdictions are going down separate non-coordinated paths in their pursuit to permit electronic documents as part of the building permit or planning permit application process.
Electronic document submissions offer the opportunity for greater efficiency for the permit agencies. The problem is that no single uniform electronic document format yet exists and many jurisdictions are spending scarce funds to research, create and adopt an electronic documents system.
We all know how to submit paper documents that are well understood by all of the jurisdictions across the country. There is not a great deal of difference in the documentation requirements between local jurisdictions. The differences that do exist are fairly easy to address prior to submittal.
Electronic documents may pose a much greater hurdle if jurisdictions do not have a common way to communicate electronically in-house and with the firms that submit their documents in a format that can be reviewed and "electronically red-lined" by the permit agency.
I believe there are at least two major software providers who currently play a role in the area of electronic document sharing. But getting local jurisdictions to accept one or both of these platforms seems to be difficult. Instead, jurisdictions seem to be going their separate ways in their search for the electronic document holy grail.
Can we not find a few common formats and platforms that easily communicate between platforms? The answer should be yes.
Local, State and National professional groups, trade organizations, and public jurisdictions need to quickly find a common way to allow electronic documents to be universally accepted and shared.
Without a common and limited number of electronic document submission-systems, it is likely that dozens of competing systems will surface and many will try to create a "locked" system that will not "talk" with their competition. Some platforms will be adopted and used,only to have that platform later disappear from the market. We have seen this situation happen all too frequently with CAD and other construction industry-related software programs.
We can learn from the past and help to avoid those mistakes from infecting the discussion and implementation of a viable electronic-document submission system.
If your jurisdiction currently allows electronic document submissions for planning and construction permits, we would like to know some of the details. The AIA-Oregon Legislative Affairs Committee is currently looking at possible ways to have the issue addressed at the State legislative level.
Thanks for sharing info related to electronic documents.
Richard Bryant, AIA
altavistadesign1@gmail.com -------------------------------------------
Richard Bryant AIA
Principal
Alta Vista Design Architecture & Planning LLC
Corvallis OR
-------------------------------------------