Summary: Getting a building permit can feel like you’re playing a game of Monopoly. Collect your forms, pass “GO” at the municipal office and hope you don’t land on the dreaded “return for revisions” square.

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Getting a building permit can feel like you’re playing a game of Monopoly. Collect your forms, pass “GO” at the municipal office and hope you don’t land on the dreaded “return for revisions” square.

In Butler County, however, the once long and drawn-out process is catching up with the times, as more townships and boroughs switch to an online application system.

Ron Henshaw, director of planning and development services in Cranberry Township, spoke with pride when explaining how residents can apply for their next permit.

“Residents looking to apply for a permit can do so completely online through our township website, including uploading all of their designs and inspections,” Henshaw said.

Switching to an online application system allows residents to apply, revise and obtain their permits from any device. When they are finished, all they need to do is print the completed permit.

Township residents who want to apply for a permit need only visit Cranberry’s website, find the Planning and Development page, select “Apply for a Permit” and begin following the prompts to make selections that best fit their project.

Saxonburg has headed in a similar direction.

According to Steven May, borough manager, obtaining a permit may depend on what and where you are trying to build.

“Saxonburg has a couple of weird quirks to it. We have a historic main street, which includes a historic architecture review board,” May said.

This means anyone looking to add on to a building over 100 years old would have to go through the review board. If the review board approves the proposed designs and changes, the resident could then begin the process of applying for the building permit.

“We use a company called Code-Sys,” May said. “They conduct all the inspections after the permit is received. Everything is done online: uploading documents, submission, receiving approval or denial, all of it.

“That being said, once the inspector shows up, as long as they receive a passing grade, it’s about a 10-minute period from the time you make your permit payment to printing your form.”

Not all projects need permits in Saxonburg. Those like roof repairs, adding water or electricity to sheds lacking them, and even adding fences don’t require a permit.

But when adding a building, a permit is needed.

“A resident would still need a permit for a detached garage, even if there were no electric or water within it, because that kind of structure would add square footage to your overall property,” May said.

Both Henshaw and May said they are happy to help residents who don’t have access to the internet or have difficulty navigating the website, but for many, they said, the internet is the preferred option.

“I encourage people to use the online form, but for residents who are not as tech savvy as others, I will sit here and work with them to ensure we get their permit information submitted correctly,” May said.

Cranberry Township is also committed to helping its residents with the online application. According to Henshaw, Cranberry offers residents a customer service area where township employees can help residents navigate the online forms.

“Residents who use our customer service area will find that we are more than happy to help them with their application submissions, though we cannot fill out the forms for them,” Henshaw said.

Township employees will, however, walk the residents through each step to ensure they are submitting the correct information.