Free training available Feb. 21-28
VANCOUVER — On March 1, the city of Vancouver’s Development Review Division will take the next step towards going 100 percent digital when it starts requiring all engineering applications be submitted to the city electronically.
This means that if you want to submit an engineering application to the city of Vancouver, you must use the ePlans electronic plan review software provided by the city.
At the same time, the city will be rolling out several improvements to ePlans that were identified thanks to feedback from staff and customers. These improvements will shorten review periods and help applicants better prepare for pre-application meetings.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to find ways to improve and simplify our plan review process for our customers to save them time and money,” said City Development Review Division Manager Jason Nortz.
Engineering applications join a growing list of development review applications and permits that the city now only accepts electronically.
Electronic submittals reduce the need for physical trips to Vancouver City Hall to drop off or pick up plans or make payments, and reduce the need to print hard copies. It also reduces plan review turnaround time because reviewers at the city are able to make comments and markups on the same document at the same time, instead of one at a time as they used to do. Customers can also check the status of their submittals or review at any time.
Customers can visit www.cityofvancouver.us/ePlans to learn more and get started.
Training available
The city is offering three free ePlans training courses to its customers Feb. 21-28. Each class will cover the basics of how to use the ePlans platform to upload plans and documents, submit applications, respond to correction notices and check the status of a submittal. They will also cover the new changes to the engineering workflow. All the classes will be held at Vancouver City Hall in the Aspen Conference Room, 415 W. 6th St.
- Thursday, Feb. 21 from 4 to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
To reserve your spot, send an email to Lisa Eruhow-Hagan at Lisa.Eruhow-Hagan@cityofvancouver.us with the date of the class you wish to attend and the number of people who will attend.
Not able to attend any of the classes? City staff is also available to visit local companies to provide ePlans training to small groups by request. Please email Lisa Eruhow-Hagan to set that up (see paragraph above for email address).
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
