Change of Use Permit Survey

As part of an ongoing effort to improve City processes to assist citizens and local business, the City of Spokane is working to improve its permitting process, including one called a Change of Use permit. The Change of Use permit is needed when a property or business owner proposes a new use in an existing building substantially different from the previous use.

The City Council and Mayor’s Office have received anecdotal evidence of challenges and frustrations encountered by small businesses when seeking such permits. These business owners and managers are concerned about the burden of development regulations in these cases on new business startups and on small business expansion. They also cite a lack of clarity of the process for obtaining a Change of Use permit. They fear these challenges could result in the failure of the startup or expansion.

An internal review committee was formed by City Administrator Ted Danek and includes City Council Member Jon Snyder, along with representatives of numerous departments. The committee is following a process established under the “Employee Led Innovation” procedures, and facilitated by Chris Cavanaugh of Employee Led Innovation.

The City is taking several actions to increase the level of customer service and improve the permit process. These actions include:

Convening the internal work group tasked with identifying specific administrative and policy barriers.

Commissioning a formal, internal process and efficiency review.

Posting an online survey – available at www.developingspokane.org.

Developing a citizen focus group.

From now through Labor Day, citizens can be involved by completing the online survey, contacting the Business and Development Services Department to leave feedback, or indicate interest in participating in a focus group.

For more information, please contact Business and Development Services: (509) 625-6983.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Here is the link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C3988TF .