The city of Bainbridge Island’s planning department is taking its building permit process online.

By April 14, residents will be able to check the status of a building permit from their kitchen table.

“The training and implementation will require a lot of work from the staff at the onset,” said Planning Director Kathy Cook. “But the payoff in terms of streamlining processes and improving customer service is huge.”

The city will transition from its current Tidemark Permitting System to SMARTGov, developed by Poulsbo-based Paladin Data System.

In the first phase of the transition, residents will have access to a new online public portal. Through this, permit applicants can search for permits by permit number, address, name or contractor. They can view permit information such as contacts and submittal requirements.

They can also search and view public notice announcements for land-use actions.

In addition, applicants can monitor a building proposal’s approval steps, inspection results and pending permit conditions online.

The second phase of the transition is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year.

It will implement an online permit submission and issuance system for projects typically permitted over the counter.

This includes residential mechanical, plumbing and reroof permits.

“Our intention is to improve efficiency and provide complete transparency to the public,” said James Weaver of the city’s planning department. “Permits will be tracked, managed and streamlined in a much more efficient manner.”

Staffing levels were be reduced this week while city staff received trained on the new system. Building inspections were also called off this week due to the training.

City officials said customers should also expect delays in permit processing during the week of April 14 due to the system changeover.

For more information on the shift to SMARTGov, contact Steve Miller at smiller@bainbridgewa.gov or 206-780-8647.