Step Towards 'Resident-Friendly' Permits to be Taken Thursday

Beginning Thursday, residents can pay township Construction Office fees with credit cards, officials announced this week.

The program is part of enhancements to the department that began in 2012 with the installation of a new software system, and brings the township a step closer to a goal of having integrated building permit and inspection records online.

"The credit card charges are a step towards that," Township Administrator Mark Krane said.

Charges will be processed through MuniciPay, with applicants paying 2.45 percent of the permit fee as a "courtesy fee" ($3 minimum). Credit card charges are optional; the Building Department will continue to accept checks (no cash).

Certain building charges will be payable online, Krane said, such as permits for projects not requiring plans or site review. 

The eventual goal is to have the entire building process, from site plan application to tracking inspections, available online for residents and builders to follow. But the the need for inputting all of the required and relevant information will keep full implementation from happening for some time.