We’re so happy you chose to live or work in the City of Sumner, and we want to get you underway as soon as possible. You have more control than we do over how fast your permits get processed. Some practices make for permits to flow quick and easily through the process while other common practices unnecessarily drag out the permit process and cost you money unnecessarily.
To Speed Up Your Permit
- Schedule a pre-application meeting with us for larger projects. It’s free and helps you know and understand the process right from the start.
- Fill out all forms and provide all required information completely. (Or, make sure your engineer/consultant does so.)
- Use our guidance and notes to supply any missing information and/or fix any errors. We give our responses to help you be successful. They are not criticisms. They are not suggestions.
- Ask questions. Permits are as unique as your project. You don’t have to be an expert or know everything when you walk in the door or pick up a phone. That’s why we’re here!
- Stay involved. Professional consultants are great and necessary for your project, but at the end of the day, it’s your project and your money, so you have the most interest in achieving success.
- Please keep in mind that permits are required to ensure that you, your clients and guests are safe in your building, home, business or project for years to come. We’re holding you to these requirements for your safety, not to ruin your day.
Things That Slow Down Your Permit
(and Cost You More)
- Submitting incomplete plans
- Resubmitting incomplete plans again, avoiding our specific requests for missing information.
- Resubmitting incomplete plans yet again. (You see how futile and annoying this is.)
- Taking the time to call and yell at us about your timeline, how important your project is, who you are, what you’ve done, who you know….we’ll still need complete information submitted. You can do all of this, of course, but just be aware that you’re spending the same time you’re saying you don’t have. Every minute we stay on the phone to listen or respond to emails are minutes when we’re not processing permits.
- Taking time to argue why the code(s) shouldn’t apply to your project. Again, you can take the time to do this, but be aware that it still won’t change what the code is or how we’ll uphold it. (Trust us on this.)
BOTTOM LINE: We are a growing city and handle a lot of permits. They are all important, and we’re turning them all around as fast as we can. We’d rather finalize your permits too, but we cannot compromise the safety of all the people entering your building/site in the future even if you’re willing to risk it.
WAS IT REALLY CHEAPER? If one consultant’s bid is noticeably lower than the others, that’s a red flag. It may mean you’re getting a great deal, or it may mean they’re going to charge you more later (and blame us) when your plans are incomplete. Get multiple bids for comparison and investigate a noticeably lower bid. It might end up costing you more time and money in the long run.
AVOID TRIANGULATION: Consultants are usually great resources to get professional help for a smooth process and good finished product. But, at the end of the day, it still comes down to your wallet, not theirs, and you’re their client, not us.
The trap we see some owners fall into is triangulation. You, the client, hire a consultant and then “let” the consultant handle everything. The consultant submits half-hearted “plans” to the city as quickly as possible to impress you/fulfill a low bid. When we point out the plans are missing significant, required information and send them back, the consultant tells you that the city is the “source” of delays. Usually, we’re called “difficult” or worse. Some even charge clients more money for lengthy resubmittals of plans which should have simply been done right in the first place.
How to avoid/break this cycle:
- Hire the right consultant(s). There are many great ones who provide complete information, professional plans and get permits smoothly We can’t recommend specific consultants, but do your homework first. Ask around and do your research.
- Don’t assume the cheapest quote up front will remain the cheapest option in the end. Remember that phrase, “You get what you pay for.”
- Use us as a resource during the process. Check online to see exactly what notes we sent back to your consultant or call and ask us what information we’re waiting for; again, you’re the client, so you’re the one who may have to push your consultant to complete your application.