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Citizen Self Service (CSS) | Using CSS

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1. When applying for a permit in CSS, the address was not located.

When applying for a permit and entering the address, follow these guidelines:

• enter only enter the street number and street name
• type address without any punctuation
• do not enter "Ave", "Blvd", "Dr", "Rd", "St", etc.

Example

This address: 17500 S. Grand Parkway should be entered as 17500 Grand.  

If you still cannot locate the property address, please fill out this form. 

2. How do I apply for a sub-permit (MEPs)?

See the Sub-permit user guide for step by step instructions on how to apply for a sub-permit after the Building Permit is issued.

It is important to note that you CANNOT apply for a sub-permit until the Building Permit (parent permit) has been APPROVED. 

• Sub-Permit Application User Guide

3. How do I see the status of my permit application?

The status can be found on the summary dashboard of the permit. The Workflow shows the current step in the process of your permit application.

4. What does the status of my permit application mean?

Submitted-Online: The application case has been created but has no yet been processed by city staff.

In Review: The application case has been routed for review by City Staff. The application will remain in this status until all reviews and administrative processing have been completed. Refer to the “Reviews” tab within the permit for the anticipated review completion date. If any of the reviews indicate “Requires Resubmit”, comments will be released and the email address(es) on the case will be notified, once all reviews are completed.

Fees Due: The case has an invoiced fee that must be paid in order to move the process forward

Fees Paid: The case has a paid invoice and this status notifies city staff that an action needs to be taken on the record

Required for Resubmittal: The application review has been completed and corrections are required. Whenever a permit is changed to this status, an email is sent to the email address on file, and the marked up document is added to the case under the “Attachments” tab within the case in the CSS portal

Approved, Pending Payment of Permit Fees: The application has been approved and waiting on final permit fees for issuance. After you’ve made the payment, you will be able to apply for trade permits and schedule inspections.

Issued: The permit has been issued and electronic files and final approved plans are available under the “attachments” tab within the permit case in the CSS Portal. 

On Hold: City staff has placed a hold on the permit process

5. Why can’t I see my comments in CSS?

All reviews must be complete before comments are available to download. Once reviews have been completed:

• Click on Attachments.
• Click on the title of the document (a link that will download the marked up plans)

6. Why can’t I see my permit in CSS?

Any permits or cases that were submitted or issued prior to June 14, 2022 and are still active may need to be manually connected to your new CSS account by city staff before you are able to view or interact with them on CSS. This may happen if you used a different email address when creating your CSS account from the one that was previously on file with the City. If you are unable to view records through CSS, please contact 311 or 281-275-2900 for assistance.  

To view your permit, you must be a contact listed on the permit and have an active CSS account.

• How to create a CSS account

7. How do I see the reason my inspection failed in CSS?

Follow these steps:

1. Click on the permit from your active bucket.
2. Click on it again to open the details page.
3. Click inspections in the bottom row of tabs to find the one that did not pass.
4. Click the checklist tab and you will see the reason.

8. I can’t schedule my inspection in CSS; it says the permit is not attached or can’t process due to business prerequisites.

This is typically caused by attempting to schedule an inspection when other inspections are required and must be approved before this inspection.

Please contact 311 or 281-275-2900 for assistance.  

9. When do I make a payment on my permit?

• For permits that require a plan review, a plan check fee is paid for separately prior to the application being routed for review.
• Once the approval is granted, the permit fee is paid for prior to issuing the permit.
• For permits that do not require a building plan review, the permit is paid for once completeness checks are completed.

10. Why can't I see the invoice (and pay it) in CSS?

There a few reasons this can happen:

• You are not listed as a billing contact on the permit.
• The permit fee has not been completed and invoiced. 

Please contact 311 or 281-275-2900 for assistance.  

11. I can see I have a fee to pay, but the system won’t let me add it to my cart.

• Click on dashboard and scroll down to the bottom right-hand section that says “invoices”.
• Click “add to cart” if it shows fees due.

Please contact 311 or 281-275-2900 for assistance.  

12. What is the fee for my permit or plan?

Using the Fee Estimator tool located in the bar at the top of the screen, you can input the information for your project and it will calculate the fees for that type of application.

13. How do I upload a document / revision after I have received my approved permit?

Resubmittal Process User Guide

• you received a notification via email
• your application is in need of corrections
• the City has requested additional documents to be submitted

14. How can I add additional contacts to a permit or case through CSS?

Once you are registered and have been linked to your existing active permit, you have the ability to add additional contacts to your permits in CSS. As long as your additional contacts have already created a CSS account, you have the ability to connect them to the permit yourself. Some examples of additional contacts could be a homeowner, subcontractors, general contractors, project managers, etc. 

• Adding a Contact to a Permit

15. How do I create accounts for a company?

The company should have a single (primary) contact and email address for their business. The contact may or may not have a person’s name on the contact. This primary company contact record will be the general contractor license holder for the company (if applicable). 

Individual accounts will have to be created for sub-contractors, because professional licenses are associated with the account that applied for them. Sub-contractors can be linked to the company account as sub-contact through contact manager on CSS.

For more information on how to add employees to the primary account, see the user guide “How can I link my account to my company’s account”.

16. I get the error “Required certification(s) not found”

This error occurs when you are not registered as a contractor in the new system. First, apply for a contractor registration license pertaining to the permit you’re applying for. For example, a mechanical contractor license if you’re applying for a mechanical permit or a plumbing contractor license if you’re applying for a plumbing permit.

17. I get the error “Invalid Token” when trying to reset password

Request the reset password email but use a different device to go through the process. Once you have reset the password on a different device, you should be able to access CSS with the new password from any device.

If unable to use a different device, contact 311 or 281-275-2900.