The online permitting system is called Citizenserve
- Online and web-based solutions for permitting and building services
- Citizenserve is a completely paperless and online platform
- All about Remote Video Inspections
- Miles, fuel & travel time saved - get more work done
Six months before COVID-19 forced employees into their homes and changed the way the working world conducts business, Yavapai County Development Services Department was already implementing online and web-based solutions for its permitting and building services.
In September of 2019, Development Services transitioned to its new online permitting system, called Citizenserve. Citizenserve is a completely paperless and online platform that allows a property owner or contractor to apply for a construction permit online, upload construction plans and other documents, pay for and receive the issued permit all without ever going to the County office.
This has proven especially useful during the virus pandemic, which has repeatedly forced the closure of County buildings and businesses. In addition to the convenience of online service, by being completely paperless Citizenserve has also saved over 46,500 sheets of paper! That is equivalent to 93 reams of copy paper.
Once the permitting process is complete, the next step is to obtain inspections during construction. Development Services has an online solution for that, too. In March, the department began conducting Remote Video Inspections, which allows the contractor or property owner to schedule a convenient time for their inspection online, and then conduct the inspection over a video chat call. Once the inspection is complete, the results are immediately uploaded to the permit record and emailed to the contractor. While this is a safe and convenient option for conducting required inspections during the pandemic, this new service has already saved County inspectors nearly 1,600 miles in traveling to and from inspection sites! Jeremy Dye, Assistant Director for Development Services, states, “We were originally going to go live with video inspection later in the summer, but the COVID pandemic forced us to move up our plans. It’s been a great tool for us.” Mr. Dye goes on to say, “it’s not just the miles saved, but also the fuel and the travel time involved. Inspectors can get more done in their work day by not having to drive to remote areas of the County.”
For questions or additional information, please contact Jeremy Dye, Assistant Director of Development Services, at (928) 639-8151, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
