The MyBuildingPermit program is a public, non-profit, providing a forum for regional collaboration. The participating Building Officials and permit staff meet regularly to share best practices, align on building standards, and develop materials to help citizens, builders, and developers navigate the permitting process.
Goals
- Improve the customer experience and offer convenient solutions, including the highly valued web portal, MyBuildingPermit.com, and building tip sheets
- Set the standard for working in partnership with jurisdictions regionally.
- Promote training and other educational opportunities to improve staff and customer understanding of codes, standards, and the processes used to manage and regulate development activities.
- Be a resource of information for current building, development and State codes. Provide tip sheets and checklists related to development activity to assist applicants with the various application types.
- Promote building safety and an awareness of environmental consciousness.
Background
In 1998, the building officials from five Eastside cities Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Redmond began a unified approach to building processes and services. They recognized that many customers work in more than one city; and the lack of uniformity in the processes, interpretations, and codes led to confusion and increases in the cost of doing business. The building officials began working together to share information, agree upon standards, and pool resources - in other words, governments working together to accomplish similar needs.
To improve building code consistency between the cities, they created easy-to-read information bulletins, adopted common ordinances that regulate construction, provided co-sponsored training seminars, and partnered with businesses in the community. This vision has evolved into the nation's first multi-jurisdictional online permitting portal. MyBuildingPermit.com now serves the Washington State jurisdictions of: Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Edmonds, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kenmore, King County, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Mill Creek, Newcastle, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie.