Cathedral City is making significant strides in enhancing its online services. Since December, staff have implemented numerous new online services, enabling residents and businesses to access essential services around the clock without leaving their homes or offices. This initiative is particularly beneficial during the current heat wave.
In response to increasing demand for accessible and efficient city services, Cathedral City has launched online permitting. Currently, sixty-two building, engineering, and fire permits and three planning applications (General Plan and Zoning Confirmation, Preliminary Review, and Zoning Compliance Letter) are available online. Residents can also apply for a garage sale permit through the portal. By the end of August 2024, over 100 permits, plans, and licenses will be available online, including business licenses.
The top permits being filed for online include:
- Expedited HVAC Residential Changeout
- Expedited Residential Main Service Panel Changeout
- Expedited Residential Reroof
- Expedited Water Heater
- Expedited Window/Door
- Plumbing (Residential)
- Residential Addition and Alteration
- Residential Solar PV Roof Installation
- Residential Fence/Walls
- Residential Pool/Spa
- Non-Residential Tenant Improvements
- Utility Encroachment
- Grading
- Park Permit Reservations
- Pool Drain Permit: Residential/Non-residential
- Precise Grade Residential
Through the implementation of Solar App+, the City has reduced residential solar permit processing time from several weeks to the same day. More information is available at https://www.cathedralcity.gov/departments/building-and-safety/solar-photovoltaic.
The Building Department now accepts all plans electronically through an online portal, eliminating the need for paper copies. Starting July 15th, individuals can schedule any building inspection online via the portal.
For those without computer or scanner access, public kiosks with paper scanning abilities are available at City Hall, Fire Administration Offices, and the Police Department.
To access any of Cathedral City's online permitting, licensing, and plan-check services, users must first create an account on the Citizen Self-Service Portal. Instructions are provided at https://www.cathedralcity.gov/business/cathedral-city-online-help.
The new system is designed to be user-friendly even for those with limited technical skills. Online tutorials are also available to assist users with any questions or issues they might encounter.
As Cathedral City continues to roll out more online services, residents can expect greater convenience and efficiency as part of a broader strategy to modernize city services.