The small city of Pinole, Calif., in the San Francisco Bay Area, has entered into new agreements with eTRAKiT and Symbium to provide the tech that will serve residents and staff in seeking and issuing permits from the city’s building department, for jobs ranging from home remodels to window replacements. Symbium is used by solar power system contractors to smooth the permitting and regulatory process with local government entities.
The eTRAKiT “system improves efficiency and reduces processing times, benefiting both the public and staff,” Lilly Whalen, community development director for Pinole, said in an email.
“For city staff, the system streamlines operations by automating data entry and centralizing information into organized workflows,” Whalen said, pointing out that time can be better spent “reviewing applications for completeness before advancing them to the next stage, like plan check.”
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which ended June 30, Pinole issued about 700 permits for home improvements ranging from water heater replacements to roof projects — some requiring a two- to three-week wait time and in-person visits to City Hall. These are the kinds of permits the eTRAKiT system will help streamline, shortening the wait times to two to three days, Whalen said.
The eTRAKiT platform and a new city website both launched in late July. On Aug. 5, officials announced a partnership with Symbium to streamline processing of rooftop solar and energy storage installations, as well as the electric panel upgrades these systems require.
The process, Whalen said, “is straightforward.” Contractors use the Symbium site, where they enter information about the system being installed. Symbium then provides feedback on the regulatory process for that particular system.
The Symbium system allows jurisdictions to issue permits “instantly,” said Leila Banijamali, CEO for Symbium, which handles compliance checks in real time.
“In effect, Symbium supercharges a jurisdiction’s existing permitting software with its ‘Complaw’ instant legal analysis against building and energy codes, and standards, enabling accelerated project deployments and instant plan reviews,” Banijamali said via email.
Symbium is now used by 15 California jurisdictions, and will soon be introduced in 40 additional cities, towns and counties — with plans to expand across the country, the CEO said.
The technology partnership, Banijamali said, “not only helps jurisdictions stay ahead of regulatory demands but also positions them as leaders in adopting innovative solutions for sustainable growth. The timing is optimal, as many jurisdictions are pushing towards clean energy goals.”
The number of solar project permits in Pinole, population around 19,000, ranged from 67 in the 2019-2020 fiscal year to 151 in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to city data.
Officials expect streamlining permitting will make solar more attractive to residents, Whalen said, noting that doing so “removes a significant barrier.”
“While factors like system costs and available rebates play a crucial role in the decision-making process, the ability to get quick, hassle-free permit approval can be a decisive factor in encouraging more residents to adopt solar energy,” she said.
Pinole officials are exploring similar tools to help streamline permitting for other home improvements like replacing HVAC systems, roofs, and doing upgrades.
“We are optimistic that by reducing barriers to proper permitting, the city will see an increase in compliance and safer, well-regulated projects,” Whalen said.
