Whether you’re a Raleigh resident looking for basic property information, or a commercial developer preparing to submit a complete application package, iMaps can help you find the most current and accurate information available.

iMaps (Internet Multi-Access Parcel System) was developed by Raleigh GIS and Wake County GIS in an effort to provide the general public with easy access to City and County graphic and attribute databases. Users can search by owner name, address, place of interest or intersection and retrieve a variety of maps and property information.

Before beginning any project, we recommend that you conduct a little research to ensure that what you are submitting is accurate. The amount of information required at intake will depend on the type and complexity of the project. Each process has a unique set of submittal requirements to ensure a thorough review without unnecessary delays resulting from a lack of information.

There have been some new changes made to the Preliminary Site Plan and Subdivision review and approval processes which are designed to make things more consistent and efficient for everyone involved. This should save time in what can often be a time-consuming process. The modified approval process now more clearly defines conditions and requirements that help clients stay compliant from one step of the development process to the next.

We have also established a new benchmark for the Administrative Action document. The benchmark is now 15 days from the time all reviewing trades have approved or conditionally approved the preliminary plan—which provides predictability where it previously did not exist.

So you may be wondering, “What do I do with my Administrative Action document once I have it?” Well, the document itself includes specific next steps that are clearly labeled, and to ensure that staff, property owners, developers and contractors are all “in the know” about the document it is now required to be applied to the second sheet of all future submittals with the exception of final plats.

Have you used our Online Development Center? If so, tell us what you think of it!

It is not new - in fact, the Online Development Center (ODC) has been around since 2006. And with all of its features, it is no wonder why the ODC has become one of the best resources for our customers.

Most contractors like using the ODC because it enables them to manage their active permits and inspections online. Once an account has been established and Terms of Use have been accepted, contractors can log in and purchase e-permits, schedule inspections, pay re-inspection fees, and view inspection records. It is important to note that e-permits can only be issued for minor electrical, plumbing or mechanical alterations or repairs. The ODC is intended for stand-alone permit types, so any project requiring a building permit or a complete permit package will need to be submitted to the DSCSC for a detailed review.

If you are not a licensed contractor, you do not need to establish an account to use the ODC. Customers can get information about development plans and public improvement projects, view and print Certificates of Occupancy, search the permit history of an address, and read plan-review comments before a review cycle is complete.

This week's blog post was written by Ken Bowers, Director of City Planning.

Raleigh’s new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) was designed to accomplish many important objectives regarding the growth and development of Raleigh, but one of the most important yet difficult to understand was to bring Raleigh’s approval procedures into better alignment with recently adopted state law.

In 2013, City of Raleigh Engineering Manager Paul Kallam led a team of City plan reviewers on a tour of the Citrix building under construction at 120 S. West Street. Normally, site tours are the responsibility of an inspector, but Paul wanted his review staff to understand the challenges that inspectors can face in the field.

Recognizing the value of the tour, Paul wanted to share the opportunity with a larger audience. Soon, the tours included other members of the development process.

“It was a chance to break down the walls of the ‘us vs. them’ mentality,” he said. “Everyone could understand that we work together as a team. That includes community outreach efforts as well.”

To date, some of the tours include the L-Building, Skyhouse, Stanhope, A-Loft Hotel, Walnut Terrace, Rex Heart and Vascular Hospital, North Hills East Tower II, 401 Oberlin, Galleria at Cameron Village, and just recently the Catholic Dioceses of Raleigh. Understanding the challenges the developer and contractor face when orchestrating large-scale projects like these provides staff lessons in collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication while building compassion throughout the entire development process.

Photo Gallery

• Skyhouse 
• Stanhope
  
• Catholic Dioceses
  
• L-Building
  
• Rex Heart & Vascular Hospital
  
• A-Loft Hotel
  

Learn more about these tours.

• Rex Heart and Vascular Hospital
• Aloft Hotel
• Stanhope