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City of Houston


Public Works & Engineering
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 02/08/2017
CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CONTRACT FOR PERMITTING CENTER WEBSITE
New Web Portal to Increase Permitting Process Accessibility

HOUSTON Houston City Council approved a contract for website development services that will transform the way residents, businesses and the building community navigate the City of Houston’s permitting process.

The new Houston Permitting Center’s website, estimated to launch in one year, will feature a wizard that automatically customizes permitting requirements based on answers to a series of questions provided by the customer. The dynamic decision engine powering the wizard will quickly exclude irrelevant permit categories, ensuring a personalized user experience.  The new website will also consolidate each department's permitting pages and repackage the information in a way that is functional to the customer based on needs – i.e. opening a business and remodeling a house. Other functions of the enhanced online experience will include comprehensive customer support, keyword search, simple online application forms and electronic signatures.

Following the implementation of improvements such as electronic plan review, online appointment scheduling and mobile queuing, the website redesign is the latest step in a continuous effort to streamline the City’s permitting process and improve customer service.

The $4.1 million contract with Woolpert, Inc. includes initial research, website design, content management system development, wizard configuration and system maintenance over a three-year period, with two optional one-year renewals.

“Providing the best customer service we can to help the community is part of our Mission, Vision and Values. This new tool will be a great resource to help our building partners better navigate the multi-departmental permitting process,” said Dale Rudick, Director of the Department of Public Works & Engineering, which manages the Houston Permitting Center.

Individuals with residential, business or construction permit questions are encouraged to email houston.permittingcenter@houstontx.gov or call 832-394-9000.

About the Houston Permitting Center
With a focus on customer service and the implementation of useful communication and information technologies, the Houston Permitting Center helps customers achieve their goals while complying with the City’s regulations. Located at 1002 Washington Ave., the Houston Permitting Center was established in 2011 as the first one-stop center of its kind for a major municipality in the United States. Ninety percent of all permits, licenses and registrations issued by the City—more than 600 types—are obtained at the Houston Permitting Center through 40 business units across seven departments: Administration & Regulatory Affairs, Houston Health Department, Houston Airport System, Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, Planning & Development Department, and the Department of Public Works & Engineering. For more information, visit houstonpermittingcenter.org or follow the Houston Permitting Center on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact:
Alanna Reed
Public Information Officer
Office: 832-395-2455
Alanna.Reed@houstontx.gov
 
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