Contractors now can get building permits online

2/7/2004

Mayor Jack Ford visited Toledo Window & Awning, 3035 Sylvania Ave., yesterday to inaugurate a new online building permit system under the city's One Stop Shop program.

Long in the works, the online system saves contractors the inconvenience of mailing or personally delivering applications to the building permit office downtown.

Dennis Whitacre, owner of Toledo Window & Awning, said the existing process of mailing applications can take months if corrections are required. He said the online application will save time and money for contractors and homeowners.

“It's a very positive step,” Mr. Whitacre said.

Mr. Ford projected that 60 percent of all city building permits, or about 10,000 permits a year, can be processed online from a builder's home or office. He said 30 companies have registered to use the system in a testing phase.

The system can be used 24 hours a day for permits that do not require a building plan review or a special permit, such as window replacements, roofing, water heaters, new furnaces, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical work.

The new process, including payment by credit card, takes about five minutes. It is available to licensed contractors at www.ci.toledo.oh.us.

A future planned improvement will be an interactive voice response system that will allow contractors to schedule inspections.