Local governments across the country find themselves grappling with a frustrating and expensive challenge: outdated permitting processes. These paper-based approaches stall construction, increase project costs, and discourage development that communities desperately need. When builders must wait weeks—or even months—for approval, they lose valuable time, and cities miss out on growth opportunities. Digitizing the permitting process streamlines approvals, reduces delays, and empowers communities to accelerate growth and better serve their residents.
The Problem with Paper: How Manual Permitting Hurts Communities
Permitting isn’t just paperwork—it’s the first gate every new development must pass through. Unfortunately, many local governments still rely on cumbersome, paper-based workflows that slow everything down. Builders must physically visit agency offices to complete forms, calculate fees, and submit documentation. Staff then process permits manually, shuffle paper files between departments, and call applicants to resolve missing information. Scheduling inspections is often a separate headache involving phone calls, paper files, and manual routing.
The result? Delays. Manual permitting can drag on for up to six weeks or more for larger projects. Each delay ripples through a construction timeline and causes cost overruns, missed deadlines, and economic stagnation. Staff must juggle growing piles of paperwork while citizens grow frustrated with slow service and lack of visibility.
Perhaps most importantly, manual permitting systems are ill-equipped to handle demand spikes like those following a natural disaster. Agencies are expected to ramp up service instantly—something that’s impossible without scalable digital infrastructure.
Accela: A Platform Built for Speed and Transparency
The Accela Civic Platform offers a modern solution to these persistent issues. Designed to automate the entire permitting workflow, Accela eliminates paper and transforms how cities interact with builders. Permit applications, document uploads, and fee payments all happen online. From submission to final approval, every step is digitized, accelerating timelines and improving accuracy.
With Accela, users can:
- Submit applications and payments 24/7 via a secure portal.
- Receive real-time updates on permit status.
- Engage in simultaneous plan reviews with electronic markup tools.
- Schedule inspections digitally and access results instantly.
- Empower inspectors to work from the field using mobile devices.
This level of automation doesn’t just speed things up—it dramatically reduces errors, enhances transparency, and boosts citizen satisfaction.
Modern Features That Drive Real Results
Accela isn’t a band-aid fix; it’s a comprehensive transformation tool for municipalities. Here’s how the platform enables real operational change:
24/7 Access and Online Payment
Builders no longer need to travel to city offices during business hours. Applications, payments, and uploads happen anytime from any device. Online fee calculations and trust account support reduce manual handling for both citizens and staff.
Streamlined Plan Review
With all documentation centralized and accessible in the cloud, plan reviewers collaborate in real time. Markups, comments, and approvals are all managed digitally, allowing multiple reviewers to work simultaneously. This streamlines the process, ensures version control, and reduces review times from weeks to days.
GIS and Regulatory Integration
Zoning and code information is integrated directly into the Accela interface. Built-in GIS tools help agencies visualize project locations, analyze surrounding impacts, and support data-driven decisions.
Mobile Inspections and Field Reporting
Inspectors use Accela Mobile to access job site data, submit results, take photos, and update permit records—all without returning to the office. Even in offline environments, inspectors can capture data and sync it once they reconnect.
Real-Time Transparency
Applicants have access to real-time inspection histories, permit statuses, and even GIS visualizations, giving them more control and reducing the number of inquiries fielded by agency staff.
Want to learn more about how digital permitting can transform your agency? Download Accela’s whitepaper, “Shrinking Permitting Times,” to explore how modernizing your permitting process can cut turnaround times, increase revenue, and improve service delivery. The paper includes real-world success stories, detailed workflow breakdowns, and insights into how agencies like yours are using technology to eliminate backlogs and accelerate development.
Looking Ahead: Trends Shaping the Future of Digital Permitting
As more municipalities embrace digital transformation, the way permits are submitted, reviewed, and approved continues to evolve. Accela delivers powerful features that modernize the permitting process, and the platform is positioned to support the next wave of innovations. From cloud adoption to data-driven governance, understanding these emerging trends can help your agency stay ahead of the curve—and ensure your permitting operations continue to meet the growing expectations of your community. Here are a few key trends shaping the future of municipal workflows:
Cloud-Based Infrastructure
Cloud-hosted solutions offer superior scalability, security, and accessibility. Agencies can handle increasing demand without overburdening staff, and software updates occur seamlessly with minimal IT overhead.
End-to-End Automation
Modern permitting systems enable automation across the full lifecycle—from application to final approval. By reducing manual steps and routing tasks automatically, agencies can improve consistency, eliminate bottlenecks, and handle higher volumes without additional staffing.
GIS Integration
Geographic Information System (GIS) integration brings visual intelligence to planning and zoning. It enables more informed decision-making and better coordination between departments.
Mobile Access
Both citizens and inspectors benefit from mobile-enabled workflows. Builders can check status updates on the go while field staff can conduct inspections, input data, and generate reports from mobile devices—boosting productivity and reducing errors.
Data-Driven Governance
Analytics tools built into Accela help agencies identify bottlenecks, optimize staffing, and plan for future development. Data-driven insights enable more strategic and transparent decision-making.
Sustainability & Compliance
Digital platforms make it easier for municipalities to enforce green building codes and monitor adherence to sustainability initiatives. By tracking eco-friendly practices, agencies can promote resilient, environmentally conscious communities.
3SG Plus: Accela’s Permitting Partner
3SG Plus doesn’t just implement software—we empower municipalities to reimagine service delivery and meet the evolving expectations of their citizens.
While Accela provides powerful software, its success hinges on proper implementation. As an authorized Accela reseller and integrator, 3SG Plus specializes in helping municipalities modernize permitting workflows and overcome operational inefficiencies.
Our team brings over 20 years of experience designing, deploying, and supporting digital government solutions. We take a consultative approach, collaborating with each client to assess current challenges, define goals, and configure the Accela Civic Platform to meet their specific needs. Our end-to-end services include:
- Pre-Deployment Consultation: We analyze your existing processes and identify opportunities for automation and workflow improvements.
- System Configuration and Integration: Whether it’s GIS, public records, or financial software, we ensure seamless integration across platforms.
- User Training and Go-Live Support: Our team supports your staff throughout implementation and ensures they are confident and ready to succeed.
- Ongoing Technical Support: We continue to serve as your technology partner post-deployment, providing maintenance, upgrades, and user assistance to ensure long-term success.
Make the Move: Streamline Permit Processes with Accela and 3SG Plus
Municipalities don’t need to accept long wait times, lost paperwork, and frustrated builders as the norm. With the Accela Civic Platform and support from 3SG Plus, government agencies can replace outdated systems with fast, secure, and fully digital workflows. By reducing permitting delays, municipalities can:
- Accelerate economic development
- Improve relationships with builders and contractors
- Increase internal staff efficiency
- Boost revenue through faster permit turnaround
Now is the time to act. Don’t let legacy processes hold your community back from the growth it deserves.