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Mountain View just launched an express permit service that likely will come as welcome news for business owners and residents who for years have asked the city to fast track the approval process for small-scale building projects.
The new program, ExpressPermitsMV, is designed to save applicants time and money so that they can get projects off the ground quickly while ensuring compliance with building regulations.
“Our primary goal through ExpressPermitsMV is to shorten the timeline from applying for a permit to issuing one,” said Community Development Director Christian Murdock in an April 2 press release.
The express permit service is currently only for small building projects. It covers single-family remodels of 600 square feet or less; single-family additions less than 500 square feet; and commercial tenant improvements of 5,000 square feet or less, according to the press release.
The service is an upgrade from the city’s One Stop Permit program, which was available before the pandemic, the press release said.
Murdock described the new program as a “win-win” for applicants and staff. “We now have an accelerated plan check process, which includes an in-person or virtual meeting with a team of (city) staff who can answer questions and provide options to applicants in real time,” he said in the press release.
The permit process is designed to take about three weeks or less, depending on staff feedback and any necessary revisions. This is faster than the timeline for standard building permits, according to the city website.
Last month, the city also expanded its Same-Day Building Permit program, an online service that allows for permits to be issued instantaneously without construction plans if the project meets code requirements. The permits are available for single-family homes and duplexes, and apply to minor building upgrades, according to the press release.
“Implementing a same-day process for these types of projects reduces the time to obtain a building permit, allowing homeowners to start their projects more quickly and predictably,” the press release said.
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