Baltimore City Launches Auto-Issue Feature for Certain Permits
Baltimore City has introduced a new Auto-Issue feature designed for simple permits that do not require technical review or plan examination by staff. This update aims to make the permitting process faster and more convenient for residents and businesses.
Late last month, the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), working with the Baltimore City Information & Technology (BCIT) department, implemented this feature within the City’s online permitting platform, Accela.
Improving the Permitting Process
The Auto-Issue feature marks an important step in Baltimore’s ongoing work to improve and stabilize the permitting process for contractors and residents. Since transitioning to the Accela platform earlier this year, DHCD and BCIT have collaborated closely to fix technical difficulties and streamline user experience.
Coordinated Response and System Enhancements
To support these efforts, the City formed the Permits Incident Command Structure (PICS), a multi-agency team focused on identifying problems, training staff, and improving customer service. This group continues to remove obstacles that previously hindered application review and submission.
“Early technical issues, such as delays in application intake, reviewer assignments, and system navigation, are being systematically resolved through workflow updates, vendor assistance, and expanded customer service capacity.”
These combined measures demonstrate Baltimore’s commitment to modernizing public services and enhancing efficiency through digital transformation.
Author’s Summary
The new Auto-Issue system streamlines simple permit approvals in Baltimore, reflecting the City’s broader push for more efficient, responsive, and user-friendly online services.