Create and Edit Permit Type

Create and Edit Permit Type

Purpose Statement

The Create and Edit Permit Types feature allows fire prevention administrators to establish and modify permit categories within the system. This functionality enables agencies to customize permit workflows, set response deadlines, configure inspection requirements, and integrate with Community Connect for external permit applications. The feature streamlines permit management by providing a centralized location to define permit parameters, approval processes, and automated notifications.

Background Information

Permit types serve as the foundation for fire prevention operations, defining the specific requirements, workflows, and processes for different categories of permits such as fire safety, occupancy, or special events. Each permit type can be configured with unique workflows, inspection requirements, plan review processes, and billing structures. The system supports integration with Community Connect for public-facing permit applications and allows for customization of email notifications and form layouts. Permit types can be cloned between clients through your Implementation Manager or Client Success Manager, though some restrictions may apply.

Required Permissions

To create and edit permit types, users must have:

  • Fire Prevention Administrator permissions
  • Permit Management access rights
  • System Configuration privileges for advanced settings
  • Plan Review Management permissions (if configuring plan review options)
  • Inspection Type Management permissions (if configuring inspection requirements)

Video


Step-by-Step Guide

Alert
NOTE: Permit Types can be cloned from one client to another.  Contact your Implementation Manager or Client Success Manager to make a request to clone a permit.  Some restrictions apply.

1. Click on Permits.


Click on Permits.



2. Click on Permit Types.


Click on Permit Types.



3. Click on Add New Type or select Edit to edit a current Permit Type.
  1. NOTE: A current Permit Type can be edited at any time. Select edit for the Permit Type in the Actions Column to edit a Permit Type.


Click on Add New Type or select Edit to edit a current Permit Type.



4. Enter a "Permit Name."






5. Select IFC Permit Class.


Select IFC Permit Class.



6. Select Workflow.


Select Workflow.



7. Select a default duration, Days or Years and enter the correct value for the duration.


Select a default duration, Days or Years and enter the correct value for the duration.



8. Select the Inspector Signature needed.
  1. None.
  2. Sign or Fill.
  3. Sign.




9. Enter notes as needed.


Enter notes as needed.



10. Click on Responses.


Click on Responses.



11. If your agency has deadlines for responding to a Permit Application, select yes and enter the appropriate business days to respond.


If your agency has deadlines for responding to a Permit Application, select yes and enter the appropriate business days to respond.



12. If a Plan Review adds time to the response deadlines, select yes and add the appropriate business days.


If a Plan Review adds time to the response deadlines, select yes and add the appropriate business days.



13. Click on Options.


Click on Options.



14. If Plan Reviews are allowed for the Permit Type, move the slider to the right and select the appropriate Plan Review(s).


If Plan Reviews are allowed for the Permit Type, move the slider to the right and select the appropriate Plan Review(s).



15. If Inspections are conducted for the Permit Type, move the slider to the right and select the appropriate Inspection Type(s).


If Inspections are conducted for the Permit Type, move the slider to the right and select the appropriate Inspection Type(s).



16. If your agency bills for Permits, Inspections, and/or Plan Reviews for the Permit Type, move the slider to the right.






17. See the Related Article on how to add Custom Data fields to your Permit Type.


See the Related Article on how to add Custom Data fields to your Permit Type.



18. Click on Forms.


Click on Forms.



19. Select the correct Permit Form Layout for the Permit Type.


Select the correct Permit Form Layout for the Permit Type.



20. Click on Email.


Click on Email.



21. Select the appropriate outgoing email address (sender).
  1. If using an agency email address, enter it here. See the Related Article "Inspection Type Part 4 – Email" Step 9.
    1. Entering the Token Names and Values for an Inspection Type will allow you to use the same agency email address domain as the outgoing email address for Permits.
  2. Enter custom text in the email message body, if desired.
  3. Formatting options for your email message body.

  1. Select the appropriate outgoing email address (sender).



22. Click on Community Connect.


Click on Community Connect.



23. Select the correct Community Connect availability for the Permit Type.
  1. This option is for agencies using Community Connect.
  2. Community Connect and High Hazard users.
  3. Community Connect users.
  4. High Hazard users.
  5. Not Available.


Select the correct Community Connect availability for the Permit Type.



24. Attachments:
  1. Check to enable CC/HH users to upload attachments (#1).
  2. Check to Require Attachments (#2).





25. Instructions to CC/HH User:
  1. Add an attachment to send with the confirming email upon the permit request being made (#1).
  2. Email message text formatting options (#2).
  3. Example text for the email message sent with the confirming email upon the permit request being made (#3).





26. Notifications:
  1. Add User(s) and/or Fire Prevention Team(s) for the notification that a permit has been requested.






27. Click on Close.
  1. Select Yes to save your Permit Type.


Click on Close.

Best Practices

Configuration Best Practices:

  • Use clear, descriptive permit names that staff and applicants can easily understand
  • Align IFC permit classes with your local fire code requirements
  • Set realistic response deadlines that account for staff capacity and workload
  • Enable plan reviews only for permit types that legally require them

Workflow Optimization:

  • Configure inspection types that match your agency's standard operating procedures
  • Use consistent email templates across similar permit types
  • Set up automated notifications to reduce manual communication tasks
  • Enable billing features only after confirming fee schedules with finance department

Community Connect Integration:

  • Test permit applications through Community Connect before going live
  • Provide clear instructions to external users about attachment requirements
  • Configure appropriate user access levels based on permit complexity and risk

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Common Issues:

Q: Why can't I see the Edit option for a permit type? A: Verify you have Fire Prevention Administrator permissions. Contact your system administrator if permissions appear correct but access is still restricted.

Q: Permit type cloning isn't working between our sites. A: Permit type cloning requires assistance from your Implementation Manager or Client Success Manager. Contact them directly as some restrictions may apply based on your configuration.

Q: Community Connect users aren't receiving confirmation emails. A: Check email configuration in the Email tab. Verify the outgoing email address is properly configured and test the email template with a sample submission.

Q: Plan review timeline isn't calculating correctly. A: Ensure both the initial response deadline and additional plan review days are configured in the Responses tab. Verify business day calculations exclude weekends and holidays.

Q: Custom data fields aren't appearing on permits. A: Reference the "Adding Custom Data Fields to Permit Type" article. Verify fields are properly configured and assigned to the correct permit type.

Related Articles

  • Adding Custom Data Fields to Permit Type - Learn how to configure custom fields for collecting additional permit-specific information
  • Inspection Type - Part 4: Email - Detailed instructions for setting up email configurations and using agency email addresses
  • Permit Workflows Configuration - Guide for creating and customizing approval workflows for different permit types
  • Community Connect Setup and Management - Complete setup guide for public-facing permit applications
  • Plan Review Types Configuration - Instructions for setting up and managing plan review processes
  • Fire Prevention Billing Setup - Configuration guide for permit, inspection, and plan review fee structures
  • User Permissions and Role Management - Understanding and configuring user access levels for fire prevention features

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