CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING– Jurisdiction in Review
By Katy Swenson – Zoning/Permitting Consultant

The City of Austin cracked 2 million residents last year and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. with a growth rate of 3.15%, according to Forbes magazine.  With all this growth, the City of Austin is making some changes with their Development Services by launching ePlan Review, an ERP Software on-line system where development plans can be uploaded, reviewed and approved electronically.  This new process will manage documents by providing a central “hub” for development project groups (including external applicants and internal City Reviewers) to communicate and complete the entire plan review process on-line, from initial submittal of the application to final approved plan sets.

E-Plan Review is NOT currently open to the general public in Residential or Commercial Plan Reviews, but are working beta test cases to assess their business processes.  Tentatively, ePlan Review and online payments could be available as early as Spring of 2017.

How it will work: Once Registered, and your company’s business registration and/or escrow account is linked; all Building applications types, including Quick Turn-Arounds (expedited permitting), can be uploaded and processed as well as Site Plans, DAC Site Correction, Site Exemptions, and Subdivision applications.  After submitting an on-line application and all fees have been paid, the Project is created in Project Dox and you will receive an email to upload plans to begin the review process.  Once plans are approved, you will receive an email indicating that your plans are approved and downloadable.

For help or assistance from the City of Austin, call 512-978-4000 for Permitting questions, or call 512-974-2000 for Financial questions.