Over the past few years, the permitting world has undergone a dramatic shift. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, jurisdictions across the country accelerated the move toward digital platforms, pushing many permit applications online in an effort to streamline processes and maintain continuity. Today, more than 80% of the top 500 municipalities require submittals for building permits online.
But while digital systems offer convenience on the surface, they don’t always translate to faster approvals or fewer headaches. In fact, for many commercial architects, developers, and contractors, navigating building permits online can be just as complex (if not more so) than traditional paper-based processes.
Each jurisdiction has its own systems, requirements, and submission protocols. Many even use multiple portals for different project types, and those systems are constantly evolving. What was approved last month might not pass muster today. That’s where experience matters, and where the right permitting partner can make a real difference.
The Problem with Digital Portals: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
It’s easy to assume that moving building permits online creates a streamlined, one-stop experience. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many jurisdictions now rely on three to five different platforms to handle various project types, departments, or phases, and navigating these systems can be a full-time job.
Common portals like eTRAKiT, Accela, ProjectDox, and MyGovernmentOnline each have their own quirks. Some require separate logins for different departments. Others only accept certain file types or demand uploads in a very specific sequence. On top of that, almost all jurisdictions still require manual coordination outside the platform, such as separate payment portals, plan room approvals, or wet-signed documents sent by mail.
Even for experienced professionals, updates and platform overhauls can introduce new steps overnight. One week, you’re submitting drawings through a familiar interface; the next, the rules have changed, and your application’s on hold.
Why Digital Doesn’t Eliminate Human Oversight
Even with building permits online, real people are still reviewing your plans. That means the risk of human error — and the need for human insight — never goes away.
Automated systems won’t flag a miscategorized file or catch that you’ve submitted to the wrong department. If a plan is missing key documentation, it might sit untouched in a digital queue for days or weeks, with no notification until you follow up. Worse, rejections often come with limited guidance, leaving your team scrambling to figure out what went wrong.
Bottom line? Getting it right the first time still requires local knowledge, jurisdiction-specific formatting, and a clear understanding of how each portal operates. This is something a submission tool alone can’t provide.
How Scout Services Helps You Get It Right — the First Time
At Scout Services, we know that building permits online demand just as much strategy as any in-person process, and we bring both to the table. Today, more than half of our permitting work involves navigating digital portals, and we’ve built proven workflows to handle them efficiently and accurately. Additionally, every project manager on our team has decades of expertise in each type of system, ensuring that your project is submitted reliably.
Our team knows which forms are needed where, how they must be named and formatted, and which order to submit them in — helping you avoid costly errors and time-consuming rework. We also maintain direct communication with municipal reviewers, providing a level of follow-through that automated platforms simply can’t.
The result: fewer rejections, less wasted time, and faster approvals that keep your project on schedule.
Innovation Without the Guesswork: What Makes Scout Different
While some permitting services focus on flashy tech or software-first platforms, Scout combines technology with expert oversight — delivering results that software alone can’t match.
Our process supports commercial teams with a smart mix of digital efficiency and real-world experience. Whether you’re managing a multi-site rollout or a one-off build, you’ll get a dedicated partner who understands your goals and knows how to work within each jurisdiction’s requirements.
We recently helped a major national brand streamline over 800 signage approvals by building a custom tracking program across dozens of municipal portals. Read the full case study to see how our proactive approach delivered scale and speed without sacrificing accuracy.
With Scout, your team doesn’t need to become fluent in 80+ permitting systems. We’ve already done the homework — and we’re here to help.
Get Tech-Backed Permit Support Without the Headaches
Online permitting systems were meant to simplify approvals — but too often, they create more complexity. At Scout Services, we help you cut through the noise of building permits online, so your team can stay focused on what matters most: delivering the project.
With deep experience across digital portals, local jurisdictions, and commercial project types, we make sure your submittals are accurate, complete, and moving forward.
Contact us today to get your next project submitted the right way — no guesswork, no delays.
