June 8, 2026 – The City of Staunton has officially launched Civic Access, a new interactive online portal designed to modernize and streamline the permitting process for residents and contractors.

The project, which has been in development since June 2024, is powered by Tyler Technologies’ Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EPL) system. The launch transforms the city’s workflow from a legacy, paper-heavy process into a transparent digital hub where users can submit applications, track progress in real-time, and schedule inspections.

“This upgrade represents a major step forward in how the city interacts with our business and development community,” said Zoning Administrator Linda Nesselrodt. “By moving these services online, we are eliminating traditional bottlenecks and providing our citizens with the digital convenience they expect. Even with a quiet rollout over the last month, the organic adoption and positive feedback we've received from early users prove that real-time transparency makes the process smoother for everyone.”

Key Features of the Civic Access Portal:

• Real-Time Status Tracking: Applicants can monitor exactly where their permit stands in the review process and view staff feedback instantaneously.
• Digital Signatures and Submissions: The system allows for entirely digital application cycles, including the use of electronic signatures.
• Automated Delivery: Once approved, permits are automatically emailed to the applicant as a PDF attachment.
• Mobile Inspection Integration: City inspectors now utilize a mobile app to complete reports in the field, ensuring data is updated instantly in the portal.
• Flexible Inspection Windows: The city is transitioning to an AM/PM inspection scheduling model to provide more predictable windows for on-site work.

A Hybrid Approach for Residents
While the city encourages the use of the new digital portal for its speed and transparency, it remains committed to accessibility. Residents who prefer traditional paper-based methods are welcome to continue submitting applications in person. Staff will utilize the new system on the backend to process those requests, ensuring all city records are centralized and efficient regardless of the submission method.

Residents and contractors are encouraged to explore the new system. The city has published a library of tutorials and "How-To" documentation to assist users in creating accounts and navigating the portal.

Strategic Alignment with the Staunton Plan
The implementation of Civic Access is a key milestone in fulfilling the Staunton Plan, specifically the 2026 priority of enhancing digital platforms to improve access to city information. By fostering community engagement through improved digital services, the city is meeting its goal of providing timely, accurate, and meaningful information while promoting staff efficiency through emerging technologies.

For more information, to view tutorials, or to start an application today, visit the city’s website at www.staunton.va.us/onlineportal