SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – The City of South Portland is implementing changes to enhance its permitting and development review processes. The process improvements benefit anyone seeking a permit from the City’s Planning and Code Enforcement offices. The changes will streamline application and review processes, reduce timelines, and improve the applicant experience.
At a City Council meeting on October 15, 2024, Planning and Development staff presented data and findings of their internal analysis of previously existing permitting and development review processes. They also outlined changes that the Department has recently put in place and others on the horizon. Staff noted that the new Director of Planning and Development, Milan Nevajda, and new Director of Code Enforcement, Nicholas Richard, have recently implemented changes that have already reduced building permit processing times by three weeks.
Over the past several months, the Department has put the following changes in place:
- Reorganized the Planning and Development Department to streamline workflow
- Added an additional staff member to meet the demands of the community (as approved in the FY25 budget)
- Streamlined the process for the review of subdivisions
- Shifted to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be approved through administrative review
- Expanded allowances for staff and expedited Planning Board review
- Updated application forms and information on the City website, southportland.gov, to simplify electronic application submission
- Invested in new online application and permitting software, expected to go live this fiscal year
- Strengthened training and professional certification program for staff
Additionally, Director Nevajda presented several additional changes the Department aims to implement to streamline its processes further. The Planning and Development Department enlisted Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) to survey communities similar in size to South Portland and compare processes and timelines for a variety of project types (including both residential and commercial projects). The report, also presented to Council at the October 15 meeting, shows that the City is efficient with its permitting of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and that it can achieve greater efficiency for larger and more complex projects. Director Nevajda, in his Memo to Council, outlined additional changes that the Department will seek to make based on the Department’s analysis and the GPCOG report. These changes include:
- Reducing permitting requirements for small structures (ex: sheds and decks)
- Expanding staff authority to approve routine development review of minor projects and De Minimis Changes
- Tracking Key Performance Indicators on staff processing time
- Allowing administrative review of development of non-conforming lots
- Simplifying various development standards
- Implementing the new electronic application and permitting system currently underway
City Council expressed support for the improvements that the Planning and Development Department has made and proposes to make. In the coming months, staff intend to draft proposals for changes to ordinances or policies that will require formal approval by City Council and/or the Planning Board. Certain changes that can be implemented administratively will be done on a quicker timeline.
Questions about the recent and coming changes to the City’s permitting and development review processes can be directed to Planning & Development Director Milan Nevajda at mnevajda@southportland.org or (207) 767-7603.
About the City of South Portland
The City of South Portland is a vibrant Southern Maine community of nearly 27,000 residents and over 1,500 businesses located on picturesque Casco Bay. www.southportland.gov
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