CARY, NC – Commercial building permits are now just a day away in Cary as the Town’s Inspections & Permits Department this week launches its new 24-hour Express Review service. With Express Review, applicants can schedule an appointment for a comprehensive construction plan review in advance with the goal being to have those plans completely reviewed and approved in one work session, resulting in the issuance of a permit the following day. Until demand can be determined, the initial phase of the project will be limited to commercial fit-ups and alterations projects only.  Under Cary’s standard review process, commercial building plans are submitted to the Inspections & Permits Department and then placed in a queue to be reviewed by the various trade plan examiners individually and at their earliest opportunity, a process that generally takes weeks to generate a permit.

"We’re always looking for ways to increase efficiency and provide better service," said Town of Cary Inspections & Permits Director Bob Strowbridge. "Express Permitting is one more step in that effort." Only Raleigh and Charlotte have offered this type of service in North Carolina.

Under Cary’s Express Review, review sessions will be scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting at 5:00 PM. At that time, all Town staff needed to inspect the construction plans—such as building, plumbing, and electrical inspectors as well as fire inspectors--will meet in one room with all the members of the commercial project’s team—such as the developer, architect, and other design professionals. The entire group will work on the plan, with necessary changes being made to the plan during the session.

Because Town staff will be working overtime to handle Express Review, fees to support the program will be charged to those who opt for the service: $600 for the first hour of the initial review with an additional $150 per 15 minute increment. Re-reviews will be charged at $300 for the first hour with an additional $150 per 15 minute increment.

"This program has been designed and implemented at the request of those design professionals and members of the development community who need a permit issued within 24 hours of their plan submittal," said Strowbridge, who added that the program will have the added benefit of reducing the number of commercial fit-up plans currently in the Town’s queue.

The Inspections & Permits Department started taking applications for review appointments on April 2, 2001, with the first reviews scheduled for April 17th. The program is expected to continue as long as there is a demand for the service.

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