Symbium workflows vary by jurisdiction because each city or county has its own permitting process, software, and requirements. As you move through your application, Symbium will provide jurisdiction-specific next steps both in the application and by email.
This article explains the high-level workflows you may encounter when applying for permits on Symbium.
Approval document workflow
In the approval document workflow, you must:
- Generate an Approval Document on Symbium
- Apply for your permit through the city or county’s external permitting software
In this workflow, Symbium does not submit your application package. After you complete your Symbium application and pay the applicable service fees, you will receive a Symbium Approval Document along with instructions for completing the permit application directly with the jurisdiction. As part of that process, you will need to upload your Symbium Approval Document to the jurisdiction’s permit application system.
Symbium does not track permit creation or permit status in this workflow, and you will not receive additional update emails from Symbium after your approval application is complete.
Express permit workflow
In the express permit workflow, Symbium generates an Approval Document and submits your complete application package by email to the jurisdiction using an official email address designated for Symbium submittals.
The jurisdiction will then create the permit and send you an invoice for any permitting fees due.
Symbium does not track permit creation or permit status in this workflow, and you will not receive additional update emails from Symbium after the email submission has been sent.
Instant permit workflow (permit creation only)
In the instant permit workflow (permit creation only), Symbium integrates directly with the city or county’s permitting software to create a permit on your behalf. In this workflow, Symbium collects only its own service fees, generates your Approval Document, and creates a permit in the jurisdiction’s permitting system, such as Accela, eTRAKiT, or Clariti.
Your permit number and next steps for issuance will be displayed in your Symbium application and sent by email. You will still need to pay permitting fees directly to the jurisdiction before the permit can be issued.
Symbium does not track permit status after permit creation is complete, and you will not receive additional update emails from Symbium after that point.
Instant permit workflow (permit issuance)
In the instant permit workflow (permit issuance), Symbium is responsible for both creating your permit and supporting the issuance process.
This can happen in one of two ways:
- Symbium collects both its service fees and the jurisdiction’s permitting fees, then transfers the permitting fees directly to the jurisdiction. Because all fees are paid up front, Symbium can trigger permit issuance.
- Symbium creates your permit first, then sends you instructions for paying permitting fees directly through the jurisdiction’s external permitting software. Once payment is completed, Symbium automatically recognizes the payment and triggers permit issuance.
Symbium tracks permit status only through issuance. After the permit has been issued, you will not receive additional update emails from Symbium.
Owner-builder and contractor eligibility by workflow
Some Symbium workflows are available to both owner-builders and licensed contractors. Others are limited to licensed contractors only. This is a jurisdictional decision. Each city or county determines who qualifies for accelerated or instant permitting through Symbium.
If you are an owner-builder and the workflow available in your jurisdiction does not support owner-builder applications, you have two options:
- Submit a feature request through Symbium to expand owner-builder access in your jurisdiction.
- Contact your local jurisdiction directly to request that they enable the owner-builder workflow through Symbium.
Symbium works with jurisdictions to expand access over time, and your request helps prioritize that work.