The eCityGov Alliance is an alliance of Washington cities that developed for the purpose of creating a common online permitting software interface in order to better serve the construction industry.  The product created by eCityGov is called MyBuildingPermit.com (MBP).  Cities that are part of the Alliance and that utilize MBP include Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Edmonds, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Mill Creek, Newcastle, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, King County, and Snohomish County.

In July of 2019 the Department of Community Development completed a significant permit software system upgrade.  This upgrade enables the City to entertain the idea of utilizing MBP because both systems can interface with each other.

MBP is an online system that allows customers to submit permit applications, pay their fees, obtain their permits, view city comments, provide resubmittal materials, etc.  It also allows contractors who work in multiple cities to have the same online experience and functionality even though they are working in a different jurisdiction.

To join the eCityGov Alliance the City of Auburn will pay a one-time onboarding fee of $10,000 as well as a quarterly subscription rate of approximately $16,000.  The subscription rate fluctuates based on each quarter’s volume of permits.  The Master Builders Association has requested that the City enter into the eCityGov Alliance and to utilize MBP as the online permitting portal and has indicated that permit fees should be increased in order to cover the cost.  The $10,000 onboarding fee will be absorbed into the Department’s existing budget.  The subsequent subscription fees would be absorbed through a 3% to 5% increase in permit fees that would be adopted through a subsequent City Council resolution.

If approved, Community Development has set October 1, 2020 as the launch date.