{"id":96430,"date":"2026-02-20T20:24:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/894207790"},"modified":"2026-02-20T20:24:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T23:24:58","slug":"cleveland-looks-to-accela-permit-tech-to-boost-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/cleveland-looks-to-accela-permit-tech-to-boost-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleveland Looks to Accela Permit Tech to Boost Development"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                             <title>Cleveland Looks to Accela Permit Tech to Boost Development<\/title>  <!-- Tiny Rich Text Editor --> <!-- Load the site id in order to track the insider locales --> <!-- this will add webcomponent polyfills based on browsers. As of 04\/29\/21 still needed for IE11 and Safari --> <!-- Start of HubSpot Embed Code --> <!-- End of HubSpot Embed Code --> <!-- Google Tag Manager --> <!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice start for govtech.com --> <!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice end for govtech.com -->  <!-- Putting icons here, so we don't have to include in a bunch of -body hbs's --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility\" data-dialogue data-show-on-internet-explorer data-show-dialogue>\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility-container\">\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility-body\">\n<h2 class=\"BrowserCompatibility-title\"> IE 11 Not Supported <\/h2>\n<div class=\"BrowserCompatibility-text RichTextBody\">\n<p>For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- Microsite Header --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-content\">\n<div class=\"Page-twoColumn\"> <main id=\"readArticle\" class=\"Page-main\" data-module data-padding=\"none\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ArticlePage-lede\">\n<div class=\"ArticlePage-lede-content\">\n<div class=\"Page-breadcrumbs\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">GovTech Biz<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"Page-subHeadline\">With the Ohio city pursuing major redevelopment, officials have launched an online permitting portal they hope will ease that effort. Cleveland\u2019s building director explains what\u2019s happening \u2014 and what comes next.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ArticlePage-actions-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"Page-byline\">\n<p>February 20, 2026&nbsp;\u2022&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-authors\"> <!-- one off byline --><a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/thad-rueter\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"><span>Thad Rueter<\/span><\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"Page-lead\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">    <img data-opt-id=718344697  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Aerial view of Cleveland.\" width=\"840\" height=\"438\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/erepublic.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7bf9c02\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/770x402+0+56\/resize\/840x438!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ferepublic-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F32%2Ffe%2Ff80cb54295c576c0e1ad9229d4e7%2Fclevaland.jpg\">  <\/p>\n<p><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">Cleveland has more than most cities.<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Page-article\">\n<div class=\"Page-articleBody RichTextBody\"> Technology is intersecting with bold economic policy in Cleveland \u2014 potentially providing lessons for other public agencies that want to improve permitting.<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/us-cities\/ohio\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">second-most populous city in Ohio<\/a> has become one of the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\/san-francisco-launches-permitting-portal-with-payments\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">latest municipalities<\/a> to launch an online permitting portal, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\/louisville-govstream-ai-launch-ai-backed-permitting-test\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">technology<\/a> that is helping to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\/ai-permitting-firm-govstream-ai-raises-3-6m-seed-round\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">drive recent growth<\/a> in the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\/a-2025-retrospective-and-predictions-for-2026-from-jeff-cook\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">business of government technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Cleveland used technology from <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accela.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Accela<\/a>, which sells permitting and other software to local and state governments, to build the city\u2019s new <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandohio.gov\/city-hall\/departments\/building-housing\/divisions\/construction-permitting\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Permit Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span data-bsp-pv=\"4f8e492c-6f2f-390e-bc61-f176d3a37ab9\"><\/span><span data-bsp-pv=\"0000019c-7c86-dca3-addf-7ca78b670000\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Earlier this month, Accela announced its acquisition of <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\/permitting-software-giant-accela-buys-gis-tech-firm-novotx\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">GIS tech firm Novotx<\/a>, reflecting a desire to build what amounts to an online one-stop shop for permitting and public works. Last year, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/biz\/accela-adds-to-its-permitting-power-via-acquisition\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Accela bought ePermitHub<\/a>, whose technology allows for streamlined document management and plan review.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accela.com\/press-releases\/city-of-cleveland-launches-new-public-portal-to-modernize-permitting-licensing-and-citizen-access-to-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">According to Accela<\/a>, Cleveland\u2019s newest gov tech tool gives those seeking permits access to \u201ca unified, mobile\u2011friendly experience for submitting applications, uploading plans, paying fees and tracking the status of requests across multiple city departments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The portal also combines what the company called \u201cpreviously fragmented workflows into a centralized, transparent system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The portal cost the city $1.15 million, said Sally Martin O\u2019Toole, Cleveland\u2019s director of building and housing, via an email interview with <i>Government Technology<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>That total includes $950,000 for annual citywide permit software licensing based on population \u2014 Cleveland has about 364,000 residents \u2014 along with $200,000 for additional software licensing that covers such areas as zoning and reporting.<\/p>\n<p>Besides the financial costs involved, development of the tool \u201crequired close collaboration across many departments and technical teams\u201d along with \u201cvast resources\u201d for testing, and prelaunch comments from users that helped to reduce technical issues, she said.<\/p>\n<p>Catching up with the latest technology isn\u2019t always easy, she said, as \u201ctechnical debt\u201d takes time to overcome.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cConstruction permitting in Cleveland has been difficult to navigate for far too long,\u201d she said. \u201cSimplifying the complexity of navigating the construction permitting process and making Cleveland move at the speed of business is essential to fulfilling the promise of Mayor [Justin] Bibb\u2019s Cleveland ERA agenda and creating a vibrant two-waterfront city is what our residents and stakeholders deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>ERA refers to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandohio.gov\/city-hall\/office-mayor\/mayors-initiatives\/cleveland-era\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Economic Resurgence in Action<\/a>, a sprawling plan that calls for property redevelopment, airport improvements, affordable housing, street repairs and other programs. Bibb wants to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandohio.gov\/news\/welcome-cleveland-era-mayor-bibb-releases-downtown-lakefront-rfq-unveils-bold-vision\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">spur development<\/a> along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River \u2014 that is, the two waterfronts.<\/p>\n<p>Permitting reform stands as one of the foundations of the broader effort. So do business recruitment and building a citywide integrated tech platform for \u201creal-time project management\u201d and other tasks.<\/p>\n<p>Success of the new portal will not only involve its role in supporting the mayor\u2019s vision but feedback from permit seekers and city staff, according to Martin O\u2019Toole. Kiosks and online feedback forms will help with that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis effort, coupled with evaluating internal performance metrics, such as the amount of time projects spend waiting on the city in various statuses, and average amount of time for different review processes, should provide a comprehensive view into the success of the new process,\u201d Martin O\u2019Toole said. \u201cOur customers and stakeholders are not shy about letting us and the world at large know about their feelings about the construction permitting process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As people get used to the new permitting portal, city staff are already thinking about new features.<\/p>\n<p>They could include AI-powered search and chatbots \u2014 <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/artificial-intelligence\/honolulu-is-among-cities-bringing-ai-to-planning-permitting\" target=\"_blank\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">artificial intelligence<\/a> is quickly taking on more of the permitting load across the country \u2014 and an \u201cenhanced dashboard,\u201d she said. \u201cWe plan to improve the address search functions using GIS rather than the field search.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo \" data-with-image>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-image\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/thad-rueter\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">    <img data-opt-id=1087225692  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Thad Rueter\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/erepublic.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/43f3f09\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3269x3269+856+0\/resize\/100x100!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ferepublic-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F57%2Ff3%2F9e767ef9416fb87c11d204c617a1%2F2305-thad-01.jpg\">  <\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-content\">\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-name\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/thad-rueter\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Thad Rueter<\/a> <\/div>\n<p> Thad Rueter writes about the business of government technology. He covered local and state governments for newspapers in the Chicago area and Florida, as well as e-commerce, digital payments and related topics for various publications. He lives in Wisconsin. <\/p>\n<div class=\"Page-authorInfo-seeMore\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/thad-rueter\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">See More Stories by Thad Rueter<\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Contributors --> <\/p>\n<aside class=\"Page-aside\"> <\/aside>\n<div class=\"Newsletter-container\">\n<p> Never miss a story with the GovTech Today newsletter. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <button class=\"GoogleDfpMobileAd-close\" data-close>  <\/button>    <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; the business of government <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span>. Cleveland used <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> from Accela, which &#8230; its acquisition of GIS <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> firm Novotx, reflecting a &#8230; Cleveland\u00e2\u0080\u0099s newest gov <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> tool gives those seeking &#8230; and building a citywide integrated <span class=\"match\">tech<\/span> platform for \u00e2\u0080\u009creal-time &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96430"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96430\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}