Insights from a Permit Tech with over 14 Years of Experience
In my 14 plus years as a permit technician, one of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned is that the relationship between permit techs and inspectors is essential to the success of any building department. While our responsibilities may differ, our goals are the same—moving projects forward efficiently, ensuring compliance, and providing clear guidance to applicants. When permit technicians and inspectors work in sync, the entire permitting process becomes smoother, more consistent, and far less stressful for everyone involved.
Effective communication is at the heart of that collaboration. Over the years, I’ve found that proactive conversations—whether it’s flagging an unusual application before it hits an inspector’s desk or clarifying requirements with them during intake—can prevent delays and confusion later on. In return, when inspectors loop us in about recurring issues in the field or changes in interpretation, it empowers us to better prepare applicants and reduce resubmittals. Tackling tricky situations together builds trust, strengthens internal workflows, and helps us present a united front to the public.
As permitting evolves, so does our need to connect, share knowledge, and support one another in our roles. This forum has been an incredible resource for inspectors, plans examiners, and code professionals for over two decades—and it’s time for permit techs to have a louder voice here too. If you’re a permit technician, or if you work alongside one who would benefit from the insight and camaraderie of this space, invite them to join the conversation. We need your questions, your stories, and your perspective to keep growing stronger as a community.
Let’s keep the conversation going. If you’ve built a strong working relationship between permit staff and inspectors—or even faced challenges doing so—share your experience below. Your insight could inspire someone else and help move this profession forward.
In my 14 plus years as a permit technician, one of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned is that the relationship between permit techs and inspectors is essential to the success of any building department. While our responsibilities may differ, our goals are the same—moving projects forward efficiently, ensuring compliance, and providing clear guidance to applicants. When permit technicians and inspectors work in sync, the entire permitting process becomes smoother, more consistent, and far less stressful for everyone involved.
Effective communication is at the heart of that collaboration. Over the years, I’ve found that proactive conversations—whether it’s flagging an unusual application before it hits an inspector’s desk or clarifying requirements with them during intake—can prevent delays and confusion later on. In return, when inspectors loop us in about recurring issues in the field or changes in interpretation, it empowers us to better prepare applicants and reduce resubmittals. Tackling tricky situations together builds trust, strengthens internal workflows, and helps us present a united front to the public.
As permitting evolves, so does our need to connect, share knowledge, and support one another in our roles. This forum has been an incredible resource for inspectors, plans examiners, and code professionals for over two decades—and it’s time for permit techs to have a louder voice here too. If you’re a permit technician, or if you work alongside one who would benefit from the insight and camaraderie of this space, invite them to join the conversation. We need your questions, your stories, and your perspective to keep growing stronger as a community.
Let’s keep the conversation going. If you’ve built a strong working relationship between permit staff and inspectors—or even faced challenges doing so—share your experience below. Your insight could inspire someone else and help move this profession forward.
