Behind every successful commercial project is a complex web of reviews, approvals, and coordination. For many businesses and developers, navigating the permitting process can be one of the most time consuming steps on the path to bringing an idea to life.
To help make that process more efficient, Prince William County's Department of Development Services is launching the Express Commercial Plan Review Program, a faster and simplified review option for less complex commercial projects.
Eligible commercial projects will benefit from accelerated permitting and reduced upfront costs, helping businesses move from planning to construction faster and reinvest savings directly into their projects.
"Time is one of the most valuable resources for our business community," said Christina Winn, executive director of Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. "By reducing review times and simplifying the permitting process, we are helping businesses break ground faster, create jobs sooner, and strengthen our local economy."
Prince William County's Permitting Process Improvements Initiative is part of the larger effort to make doing business in the county faster, simpler, and more predictable. B y introducing online tools, streamlined reviews, and process updates that save time and reduce costs for businesses, the county hopes to strengthen customer service, improve transparency, and ensure projects can advance from plan to approval and from construction to investment.
The Express Program is for select applications and defined scopes of work where minimal plan review is typically warranted. Further details about the program policy and a checklist will be available in the coming weeks.
The program aims to reduce review times to just three business days, helping businesses begin construction sooner while maintaining strict safety and code standards.
"We’re excited to offer ‘express lane permitting’ to speed up permitting approvals for developers and contractors," said Mandi Spina, Director, Department of Development Services. "Customers will gain greater control of project schedules, while we deliver faster turnaround times and cost savings."
By submitting applications through the county’s ePortal system and taking advantage of express options for select projects developers and contractors can move projects forward faster.
