Hall County Commissioners approve septic permit changes to streamline building process

The Hall County Commission convened on February 28, 2025, to discuss significant changes to the septic tank permitting process as part of an ongoing effort to improve efficiency in the development services workflow. The meeting focused on a proposal to require septic tank permits to be obtained from the Hall County Environmental Health Department prior to submitting a building permit application, effective March 2025.

The discussion was led by Barry Shaw, the interim development services director, who highlighted the collaborative efforts of various departments, including planning, zoning, and public works, in refining the permitting process. Shaw emphasized the importance of teamwork in addressing the backlog of permits that had previously plagued the county.

A key aspect of the proposal involves removing the Environmental Health Department from the current permitting workflow, which utilizes the Acela software system. Instead, applicants will need to secure approval from Environmental Health before their building permit applications are processed. This change aims to streamline the process, reducing the time spent waiting for approvals from multiple departments.

Shaw provided an overview of improvements made over the past year, including a thorough analysis of the building permit process and the implementation of new policies designed to enhance efficiency. He noted that the county has made strides in reducing wait times for permits, with a goal of issuing permits within three weeks. Recent performance metrics indicate that the county has achieved this target 74% of the time in early 2025, a notable increase from previous months.

The current workflow involves several steps, starting with the building inspections department, followed by planning and zoning review, and finally, the Environmental Health Department, which can take several weeks. The proposed change would require that septic permits be obtained first, thereby altering the order of operations and potentially expediting the overall process.

In conclusion, the Hall County Commission's meeting underscored a commitment to improving the permitting process through strategic changes and enhanced communication among departments. The proposed adjustments are expected to facilitate a more efficient workflow, ultimately benefiting applicants and the community at large. Further discussions and decisions regarding the implementation of these changes are anticipated in upcoming meetings.