Streamlined Residential and Commercial Inspections for Efficient Governments

Explore how the City of Franklin has simplified inspections for its government and third-party inspection agency.

The City of Franklin, Pennsylvania, transformed its building department and code enforcement with online software last year. Before Cloudpermit, the city was using paper and pen for all inspections, permits, and cases.

We received positive feedback from other governments in our area and a former colleague who uses Cloudpermit,” explained Charles Gibbons, Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Franklin. “These insights boosted our Council’s confidence in our decision.”

Then, Gibbons received more details from the software provider at a conference. This helped confirm that the software was the best choice.

We've been using Cloudpermit for less than a year, and I already feel relieved by how much easier it has made the process.”

Now, both residential and commercial inspections are streamlined.

We use a third-party inspection agency for our commercial inspections. Online permitting makes it easier for me and the inspectors to track and perform inspections.”

Confirming that the agency had performed an inspection on time could be challenging with paper and pen.

I no longer receive frustrated calls from applicants weeks later about missed inspections. With Cloudpermit, I can easily stay updated and access inspection results in real-time.”

The software has helped our inspectors navigate Franklin with greater ease.

Our inspectors access an online map integrated with our GIS to find property locations. This is especially helpful because our third-party inspection agency isn't local to our city. They can quickly find information they need, like property owner or contractor's information, in the same place. We've received great feedback from our inspectors about Cloudpermit as a result.”

Online permitting software simplifies residential inspections too.

Inspections are much simpler with Cloudpermit,” he explained. “I don't need to bring paper copies of maps or plans with me to inspections anymore since everything is online. Getting the necessary signatures is also much easier. I can only imagine how this software will continue to improve code enforcement in the future.”

Gibbons oversees both building permitting and code enforcement in Franklin.

This upcoming summer will mark the city's first busy season online.

Balancing responsibilities between the building and code enforcement departments can be challenging as a one-person team,” Gibbons explained. “I’m thrilled about the increased flexibility and efficiency I’ll have this summer with Cloudpermit. I can upload photos of incidents to an online file, so I don't always need to be in the office to work. Cloudpermit gives me the tools to work more efficiently in the field.”

Franklin’s Code Enforcement Officer shared that he was surprised with how easy it is to upload photos and make reports in the software.

He shared that Cloudpermit was easy to learn how to use.

We’d never used online software before, so everything was new to us at the beginning. I've worked with many tech companies, and I can confidently say that working with Cloudpermit has been a delight. They've quickly repaired and addressed every issue or question I've had.”

The implementation process was smooth for the City of Franklin.

Cloudpermit’s training was invaluable. Their team gave great recommendations on how to set up the software to work best for us.”

Now, Gibbons can help office visitors use the software.

This is especially beneficial for Franklin's community members without email addresses. I can enter their applications for them and maintain permanent records online,” he explained.

Gibbons concluded his Cloudpermit experience has been positive.

Cloudpermit is a one-stop shop for everything I need. Every day, I learn something new I can do for more efficient building permitting and code enforcement. I look forward to the years ahead with this software.”