Configurable "Application Notes" Requirement for Permit Submissions (Feature Enhancement)

- What – Administrators can now configure whether the Application Notes field is required or optional when applicants submit permit requests through Business Portal or Community Connect. This setting is available under the User Portals tab in portal settings.

- Why – Previously, the Application Notes field was always required during permit submissions. This enhancement provides greater flexibility, allowing administrators to customize the permit submission process based on their jurisdiction's needs while reducing unnecessary requirements for applicants.

- How

• Navigate to Portal Settings and select the User Portals tab.

• Locate the new Require application notes toggle.

• Set the toggle to Yes to require applicants to enter application notes or No to make the field optional.

• The setting applies to both Business Portal and Community Connect.

• Note: The toggle defaults to Yes, preserving the existing required behavior.

• Note: When set to No, applicants can submit permit requests without entering application notes, and no validation error will occur for the empty field.

• Administrators can adjust this setting at any time without additional configuration.

- Use Case – A jurisdiction looking to simplify permit submissions can set Require application notes to No, allowing applicants to submit requests without providing unnecessary information. Alternatively, jurisdictions that rely on application notes during the review process can keep the setting enabled to ensure this information is consistently collected. This flexibility allows administrators to adapt permit intake requirements as operational needs change.