Permits – Overlay Form Builder (New Feature)
What - The Overlay Form Builder introduces a flexible way to design, manage, and print permit forms using pre-designed background templates. Agencies can now create overlay forms on top of existing PDF or image-based permit templates and precisely position fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and text so they align with state or locally required layouts. The builder supports drag-and-drop field placement, text wrapping, expanded permit data field support, toolbar-based editing, zoom controls for precise positioning, and multi-page overlay forms. The system also improves rendering accuracy between the builder view, in-app preview, and final printed documents. Additional improvements include better checkbox and “X” alignment, standardized canvas sizing, enhanced background handling for scanned or static templates, and more reliable bulk print and send workflows for overlay-generated permits.
Why - Many agencies must use standardized state or locally mandated permit forms that cannot be modified but still need to be generated from within the system. The Overlay Form Builder provides a reliable method to map system data directly onto static templates, ensuring fields align accurately with official forms. This enhancement improves document consistency, reduces manual form completion, supports image-based or scanned templates, and ensures permit documents can be generated in a format that meets regulatory or operational requirements.
How
Navigate to Permits → Permit Form Builder.
Select an existing permit form or create a new one.
Choose Create Overlay Form (if available for your role).
Upload or select the background PDF or image template that represents the official permit form.
Drag and drop available data fields from the field list onto the correct location on the template.
Use the Zoom controls to place fields with greater precision.
Adjust formatting and positioning using the overlay toolbar options.
If the form contains multiple pages:
Use the Page navigation controls to move between pages.
Place fields independently on each page as needed.
Select Save to store the overlay configuration.
To generate the document:
Open a Permit Record using the configured form.
Select Preview to review the in-app PDF.
Choose Download or Send to generate the final production PDF.
Use Case - An agency must issue permits using a state-provided PDF that includes fixed labels and formatting that cannot be changed. Using the Overlay Form Builder, an administrator uploads the official form and positions system data fields such as permit number, location, applicant information, and approval indicators directly on top of the template. When staff generate a permit, the system automatically overlays the correct data onto the form, producing a document that matches the required layout and can be printed or sent electronically without manual editing.
Permit – Expanded Permit Status Email Notifications (Enhancement)
What - Permit status email notifications have been expanded to apply to all permits rather than only Community Connect permits. When a permit status changes, the system now sends notification emails to associated permit contacts if email addresses are available. Notifications can be triggered by manual status updates, automated system updates, or permit expiration. Emails are distributed to the occupancy permit contact and vendor permit contact when email addresses are present. Additionally, when a permit is rejected, the rejection reason can be included in the notification email if the configuration option to include the rejection reason is enabled.
Why - Permit applicants and associated vendors often need timely updates regarding permit status changes so they can respond quickly to approvals, rejections, or expirations. Expanding notifications to all permits improves communication, ensures stakeholders remain informed regardless of how the permit was created, and reduces the need for manual follow-up by staff.
How
Ensure the permit record includes email addresses for the Occupancy Permit Contact and/or Vendor Permit Contact.
When the permit status changes through:
A manual status update
A system-generated status change
A permit expiration
The system automatically sends an email notification using the standard permit email template.
If the permit status is Rejected:
Navigate to the relevant configuration setting.
Enable Include Rejection Reason in Permit Contact's Email if the rejection reason should appear in the email.
If the option is not enabled, the rejection email will be sent without the rejection reason.
Use Case - A vendor submits a permit request for work at a facility and provides their contact information. When the permit is reviewed and the status changes to approved, the system automatically sends an email notification to both the occupancy contact and the vendor contact. If the permit is rejected due to missing documentation and the rejection reason option is enabled, the email includes the explanation so the vendor can correct the issue and resubmit quickly.