LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Lima Allen County Building Department is making changes to streamline the development process.
Starting Tuesday, April 1, all permits, licensing applications, and building plan submissions can be completed electronically. The department is transitioning to SmartGov, an online permitting and licensing system. Officials say the new process will reduce the current 29-day turnaround to 14 days or less.
“It makes it easier because they don’t have to come into the office,” said Douglas Ditto, building administrator. “They don’t have to come in to see us or drop paperwork off. We’re going completely paperless with this system, so it’ll just make the whole process easier. They don’t have to shuffle papers or come in to make payments. They can do everything online.”
Ditto said that in 2024, commercial businesses invested nearly $125 million throughout the region, a 32% increase from 2023.
Ditto said that in 2024, commercial businesses invested nearly $125 million throughout the region, a 32% increase from 2023. With that growth, the building department saw an 11% increase in permit applications.
