City of Hollywood preparing to launch expanded Accela online permitting platform to simplify access to city services

Hollywood, Florida – The City of Hollywood is getting ready to introduce the next phase of its Accela online permitting platform in August, a move officials say will make it easier for residents, businesses, and contractors to access city services and manage permitting activities online.

The upcoming expansion follows the successful introduction of the first phase of Accela in 2024. With the next stage of the project, the platform will grow to include a wider range of services across several city departments, creating a more centralized system for handling applications, approvals, inspections, and related information.

Once the transition is complete, Accela will become the primary online platform for all permit types within Development Services. The expanded system will include services connected to Building, Planning and Urban Design, Engineering, and Transportation and Mobility. It will also incorporate services from Code Compliance and other related departments.

As part of the transition, the city’s existing BCLA system will be retired. All applications and processes currently handled through that system will move to Accela, allowing customers to use one unified platform instead of multiple systems for different services.

City officials said the upgraded platform is designed to improve the overall customer experience by making important permitting information easier to access. Through Accela, users will be able to submit applications online, monitor the progress of projects, schedule inspections, and review case information from a single location.

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The city believes bringing these services together will help increase efficiency and transparency while reducing some of the challenges customers often face when navigating permitting processes. Residents and businesses will have a clearer way to follow their requests, while contractors will have improved tools for managing projects and communicating with city departments.

“Coming this August: A simpler way to access City permitting services!” the City of Hollywood said in its announcement regarding the upcoming launch.

To prepare customers for the change, the city has already begun offering training opportunities and educational resources. Additional support will continue to be available as the launch date approaches, including online tutorials, instructional materials, videos, and assistance from city staff.

Officials encourage anyone who regularly uses permitting services to become familiar with the new system before the transition is completed. The training materials are intended to help users understand how to navigate Accela, submit information correctly, and take advantage of the platform’s features.

The city also plans to provide updates and additional guidance through its website and official communication channels. Residents, business owners, and contractors are encouraged to check for new information as the August launch gets closer.

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The move toward a broader digital permitting system reflects the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize its services and improve how people interact with local government. By creating a single online location for applications, inspections, and case details, officials hope Accela will provide a more convenient and reliable experience for everyone who depends on city permitting services.

The second phase of the platform represents a significant expansion of the system introduced in 2024 and is expected to become an important tool for managing development-related activities throughout Hollywood.

As the launch date approaches, the City of Hollywood is reminding customers that support will be available during the transition period. Through training resources, online information, and direct staff assistance, officials aim to ensure that residents and professionals can smoothly move to the new permitting platform.