eServices keeps home development projects moving during unprecedented time

I have some good news to share with you about residential and commercial development projects in Placer County, including our new remote video inspections program, but before I do I would like to take a moment to thank all of the essential workers who are on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am for everything essential workers do for our community. They take care of our sick, they keep us fed, they deliver goods, they patrol our streets and race to emergencies and much more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You may have heard that the colonnade of Placer County’s historic courthouse in Auburn will beam blue in honor of essential workers and those battling COVID-19. The lights were switched on April 18 and will continue to light up the night sky throughout the pandemic. Nearly two dozen blue lights were installed on the enclosed base of Placer County’s courthouse dome in recognition of our community’s front line workers who are battling the pandemic. Photos of the courthouse are available on the Placer County website and social media platforms.

I am also thankful to everyone for staying-at-home and doing their part to help flatten the curve. We’ve come a long way during this crisis, but we’re not out of the woods, yet. It is vital that we continue following guidance from the state and our county Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. Stay informed about COVID-19 at our website, www.placer.ca.gov.

As mentioned I do have some good news to share - a commodity we can all use nowadays. Applications for building and planning permits in Placer County increased in March through the county’s online portal – eServices – despite the Community Development Resource Agency’s public counter closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And our numbers are looking solid for the month of April, too.

Permit applications for residential and commercial development projects increased 10% in March from February, thanks to the eServices portal which provides a variety of functions available 24/7.

I am impressed with how eServices is performing, it’s a positive indicator of our county’s economic health - especially during such an uncertain time.

We just launched an exciting new tool to help expedite inspections. Contractors and homeowners can now connect with county building inspectors virtually and receive same-day approval on projects using our new remote video inspection program.

Our eServices website allows citizens to submit permit applications online for commercial and residential development. Permit review and approval is conducted electronically, and inspectors complete the process by inspecting new construction virtually or in person.

The program allows building inspections via the internet for small projects such as electrical services, electrical trenching, heating and air changeouts, reroof final inspections, rooftop solar, new spa connections, sheds under 500 square feet, sewer yard lines, and water heaters.

This new service makes inspections efficient and will save our customers’ time, save taxpayer money and keep people safe during the pandemic.

Learn more about the remote video inspections and eServices at www.placer.ca.gov/eservices.

Stay strong, stay positive Placer County!

Warm Regards,

Supervisor Jim Holmes
           

As of Saturday, May 2, Placer County's local health order will expire and residents will be guided by the governor's Executive Oder to shelter in place - removing any confusion over areas of difference between the two orders.  Learn more...

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