PORT ST. LUCIE – The City’s Building Department unveils a new drive-thru window to improve customer service, reduce wait times and streamline the permitting process. The City’s innovative outdoor lane is the first in the Nation to provide a drive-up window for its customers. The public and contractors can pick up permits and public records, drop off inspections, plan reviews and various departmental paperwork.
With new development occurring in almost every neighborhood in the City, there’s been a steady increase in requests at the Building Department. On average, the City approves 48,000 permits a year, 4,000 permits a month and 200 permits a day. As of October 1, 2019, the City has issued 33,053 permits this year.
“This drive-thru will enable us to better serve our customers quickly with the fast, friendly service they have come to expect from the City,” explains Building Code Administrator Joel Dramis. “In August 80% of our customers reported their wait times in the permit lobby to be between 5 and 10 minutes. Our service goal is for 100% of our customer’s wait times in the permit lobby to be less than 9 minutes and, with this new drive-thru, we feel that we can meet that goal. Our number one task is ensuring top-notch accuracy, customer experience, and, to the best of our abilities, speed of service.”
Customer service is paramount at the City’s Building Department and staff is continually improving the process to eliminate wait times and traffic in the permit lobby. Even though the customer will not be able to apply for a permit through the drive-thru window, they can apply either in person at the Building Department lobby or on-line at www.cityofpsl.com. The convenient after-hours drop-off box will still be available for original documents, or other important paperwork.
Outstanding customer service is a hallmark of the Building Department, as exemplified by their recent award acknowledging Building Code Administrator Joel Dramis with the Florida 2019 Annual Awards Program’s Building Official of the Year by the Building Officials Association of Award. Additionally, the Port St. Lucie Building Department is one of only five building departments in the State of Florida and one of only 24 building departments in the entire world accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). IAS recognized the City’s Building Department in their Best Practices Manual for "Noteworthy Practices".
The City of Port St. Lucie is proud to be a hometown where people live, learn, work and play, and celebrate all of life’s opportunities. With over 195,000 residents, Port St. Lucie is Florida’s seventh largest city by population (South Florida’s 3rd largest city). The City occupies an area of 120 square miles in St. Lucie County on Florida’s east coast, about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, half way between Miami and Orlando. The City provides most traditional municipal services including law enforcement, water and sewer, and public works. For more information, please visit: www.cityofpsl.com
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