The Department of Permit Coordination is responsible for overseeing the action taken by the various municipal departments on permit applications that are submitted by the public. The Department also monitors permitting activities and coordinates enforcement activities of these various departments, which include Building, Zoning, Engineering, Fire and Health. This process ensures that the departments work in cooperation with each other, as well as with land use boards and commissions. To the maximum extent possible, permit applications and enforcement activities are handled fairly and efficiently while balancing the needs of developers with those of the general public.
Staffed by a Director, Customer Service Manager, three full-time and one part-time Customer Service Representatives and a Clerk Typist, the Department has the authority to prioritize as well as establish timetables and deadlines for review and subsequent action on permit applications by the municipal departments.
So what is the Permit Center really about? The Department focuses on service, safety, simplicity, one-stop shopping, customer service, economic development and community service.
With Customer Service staff waiting to greet them, visitors to the Permit Center can explain their project to on-site staff that will provide the proper paper work and guidance for the project. For the public’s convenience, the Permit Center has combined different permits onto a project type so that all required plans will be submitted with that one application. The Permit Center will then disseminate plans and paperwork and route this information to the appropriate departments. Progress of your application can be monitored on the department’s web site. Staff will contact applicants with any request for more information so that permits can be issued. Upon final approval, applicants will return to the Permit Center to pay, bond and receive the necessary permits. All inspections required for a project will be reviewed and scheduled by the Center. One centralized inspection number ensures a smooth closeout of a project and avoids redundant or skipped inspections. When all permits are closed, the center will complete the process by having the Zoning Officer and Building official issue certificates.
The Permit Center’s ultimate goal is to remove the stress and intimidation sometimes experienced as an applicant plans a project. Visiting with the Permit Center is not a guaranteed “yes, but applicant’s will leave with the satisfaction of knowing that they are important to us and we do care. From small residential projects to muli- million dollar commercial jobs, the Permit Center provides individual attention to homeowners and contractors alike from submittal to completion.
Many large projects such as commercial new construction become very complicated due to the scope and complexity of the project. The Permit Center will monitor inspection activity and coordinate completion to a set time table that the applicant will target.
Successes
The Department has accomplished the following in the last fiscal year: Issued over 6,279 permits, processed over $2,635,040 in fees, scheduled over 18,000 inspections, issued almost 1, 000 Certificates of Compliance, issued over 1,000 Certificates of Occupancy and received and released over $2,000,000 in bonds.
The Department has continued its efforts to bring awareness of the City’s laws and permitting rules to the citizens and participates in numerous community events annually, at which they present their information in a casual and welcoming atmosphere.
In the past few years many towns and cities have visited our Permit Center with intentions of modeling their permitting system after the City of Danbury’s. This high standard we have set for other cities to follow is due to the efforts of all permitting Departments and their commitment to better serve the City. The Department is fortunate to have such competent staff and all of the Inspectors, Officers and Marshals serving the City. They have made a tremendous impact on service and overall City Operations.