CBRM_P12-2024 - CBRM BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT PORTAL

The goal is to move the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s (CBRM) current permitting system into an online platform. The CBRM has been using an in-house custom developed Building and Development Permitting system since 2016. The municipality has updated the system periodically to accommodate changes to legislation and technology updates. In 2022, the CBRM began the process of looking into the development of a citizens portal to provide the residents with online services. One of the major interactions residents have with the municipality is around development related activities, such as, but not limited to, building and development permit applications, subdivision applications, and property complaints. The building and development permitting process was identified as a perfect example of a process that would benefit from migration to online. In 2024, the CBRM received funding support from the Government of Canada through the CMHC Accelerator Fund to increase housing supply in the CBRM. As part of CBRM’s commitment, the development of online permitting was identified critical to the success of growing the housing startups to make it easier for developers and citizens.