ClarityBC
Understanding municipal digital readiness for streamlining housing permits.
Project Overview
Updated March 6, 2025.
The Problem
While some municipalities have adopted digital permitting systems, many still process permits manually or use a mix of digital and manual methods. Those using multiple digital tools often face integration challenges, limiting communication between systems such as application feedback and permit status updates.
In British Columbia, there is no comprehensive visibility into the permitting systems and processes used by its 161 municipalities, whether they are internally developed or vendor-provided, nor the extent of their customization or the gaps that hinder efficiency. Without this knowledge, municipalities risk investing in costly technologies that may not fully meet their needs or integrate effectively with their existing workflows.
How We Are Solving It
Led by Radical I/O in collaboration with SimpliCity, the District of North Vancouver, and the City of Salmon Arm; this project will aim to produce a housing permit digital readiness report based on survey results from municipalities across British Columbia. The ClarityBC report will aim to bring clarity to the housing permitting systems and processes they use, including understanding challenges, identifying gaps, and recognizing opportunities for improvement.
Focusing on four key areas within the entire housing production lifecycle, ClarityBC will examine:
- The extent of digital adoption in permitting processes – Assessing how municipalities have integrated digital solutions into their workflows.
- Technological effectiveness – Evaluating which technologies are functioning well and identifying those that may be causing issues.
- Opportunities for improvement – Identifying areas where processes or technologies can be enhanced.
- Readiness for integration – Determining municipalities’ preparedness to integrate with permitting workflows, portals, and tools, including the B.C. Building Permit Hub.
