Mayor unveils improved customer permit service

Online tool improves convenience, tracking

Julie Happy, 509.625.7773, jhappy@spokanecity.org

Monday, July 13, 2015 at Noon

Spokane Mayor David Condon announced a new online tool that will improve the application and management processes of right-of-way permitting. The permit service is part of efforts to make doing business with the City more convenient by improving flexibility, predictability, and efficiency.

Customers will be able to access the new tool through the Accela service currently used for other permits on SpokaneCity.org. The online right-of-way tool has a number of customer benefits:

  • Applications can be submitted anytime, which allows someone to submit their permit request at a time convenient for their schedule.
  • The tool will allow the customer to track and check status, manage permits and make payments all online.
  • It eliminates customer trips to City Hall and the need to find parking and wait for a customer service rep to be available.

Going digital will also eliminate an estimated 10,000 sheets of paper per year that would have otherwise been generated by a paper form process. Every year, around 3,000 right-of-way obstruction permits are issued to local organizations and agencies.

“Customer service has been a point of emphasis for the City over the past three years,” said Mayor Condon. “Minimizing time spent on processes also saves businesses money and fosters a climate that drives investment in Spokane and ultimately helps create jobs.”

The online permitting tool for right-of-way obstruction permits is scheduled to launch Monday, July 20.