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FAQs
Story 1
- Is ePermits complete?
No. This is phase one and we anticipate three additional phases which may span 60 months.
- What are the benefits of ePermitting?
ePermitting improves business efficiency through cost savings (reduction in applicant paperwork requirements and postage), improved timelines (reduction in administrative permit processing time and faster routing to permit review staff) and enhanced open government (immediate posting and anytime access to permit application information).
- How can I obtain more information?
You can email us at ePermit@broward.org
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My plans are in paper form. How do I process them electronically?
The goal of ePermits is to reduce the time, effort and costs associated with producing paper plans. A common misunderstanding is that paper plans have to be scanned in order to be made electronic. However, the majority of construction plans are created digitally using programs like AutoCad and are then printed to paper form. Our ePermit system eliminates the need to print plans to paper by allowing them to be converted to PDF format and submitted electronically without ever being printed to paper. The best way to process your plans electronically is to obtain them in electronic format directly from the source that created them. Alternatively you may have your plans scanned and converted to PDFs.
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I only receive checks. How can I pay online?
Checks can still be mailed or hand delivered. In the future our system will be upgraded to allow for payment by eCheck.
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How do I sign and seal my electronic documents?
Requirements for electronic signing and sealing of plans and documents are set forth by the regulations of the appropriate professional board of licensing. The ePermit system allows for documents to be signed and sealed by two methods.
Electronic Sign and Seal - The “electronic sign and seal” method utilizes the “e-sign” process that is built in to the ePermit system. This method is free, but requires a one page signature document to be printed and manually signed and sealed by the registered professional(s). The signature document(s) must be submitted in original form in order to conform with the professional licensing regulations.
Digital Sign and Seal – The “digital sign and seal” method requires purchasing a subscription from a third party digital signature provider, such as Globalsign and Verisign, at a cost of a few hundred dollars a year. When we receive a document that has been signed and sealed digitally, we can instantly confirm the documents validity which allows for immediate processing. The advantage of “digital sign and seal” is it eliminates the need for a paper document to be produced and distributed, allowing for 100% paperless and streamlined processing.
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Will this negatively affect my job as a permit expeditor?
The service that you provide as a permit expeditor is extremely important and valuable to your clients. You provide detailed knowledge of the various regulatory requirements that apply to each project. The ePermits system enables you to be more efficient in the services that you provide. Rather than spending hours waiting in line or walking around our building, you can submit your plans for review from your home or office and continue working on other projects while your electronic review is processed. In addition, ePermits affords an opportunity for you to provide an additional service by becoming an expert in electronic permit processing.
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How can I apply electronically if my job is too small for electronic submittal?
No job is too small for electronic submittal. If your job does not include plans it is very easy to process your electronic review from your home or office. If your job includes hand drawn plans or documents produced by a word processor, there are several available methods for digitizing them. These methods including scanning and utilizing Microsoft Word, or other appropriate PDF conversion programs, to save the document to a PDF. If your job only includes a few letter sized sheets of paper we are more than happy to digitize the pages for you by scanning them. Please note that certain documents require a professional sign and seal (please see FAQ No. 5).
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Will electronic processing inhibit effective and timely communications?
Our goal is to increase customer service. Electronic processing saves the customer time and money by reducing travel and printing costs. We are available to assist you by phone, in person, or email at any time during normal business hours. Our normal business hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
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