From the Orange County Newsroom
In Summary:
FastQ allows customers to schedule informational appointments with permitting employees and provide project details in advance. Orange County also recently introduced an AI-powered telephone assistant, online contractor-document tools, and a payment option that does not require customers to log into the permitting system. County officials said the improvements are intended to streamline services and make it easier for customers to obtain information and manage permits and inspections.
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Orange County is expanding its digital permitting services with new technology designed to make the process faster, easier, and more convenient for Development Services customers.
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The latest enhancement is FastQ, a new appointment scheduling system developed in-house by Orange County Development Services. FastQ simplifies how customers connect with permitting staff, making it easier to schedule appointments and access services.
FastQ allows customers to schedule informational appointments in person, by phone, or through online video conferencing, depending on the service requested. When making an appointment, customers can also provide a permit number, property address, or a description of their question, allowing staff to prepare in advance and provide more efficient service. The new system also offers greater scheduling flexibility, integrates directly with the County’s existing software, and replaces a third-party vendor platform.
“Our goal is to put the customer first and make the permitting process as accessible, efficient, and user-friendly as possible,” said Alan C. Plante, manager of the Orange County Division of Building Safety. “FastQ and many other recent Fast Track enhancements give our customers more convenient ways to obtain information, manage their permitting and inspection needs, and connect with our team.”
FastQ is the latest in a series of technology improvements aimed at enhancing customer service. Earlier this year, Building Safety introduced an AI-powered phone assistant to answer permit and inspection questions more quickly. Other recent enhancements include an online tool that helps contractors maintain their licenses and required documentation, as well as the ability for customers to pay fees without logging into the permitting system.
Building Safety is part of the County’s Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department. The Department is guided by an award-winning Strategic Management Plan that focuses on improving customer service, streamlining processes, and enhancing communication over the next five years.
For assistance with FastQ, call 407-836-8160 or email FastTrackPermittingHelpDesk@ocfl.net.
To try out the AI Assistant, call 407-836-5550.
Key Points
- Orange County has launched FastQ, an internally developed appointment system for Development Services customers.
- FastQ offers informational appointments in person, by telephone or through online video conferencing.
- Customers can provide permit numbers, property addresses or questions in advance, allowing staff to prepare before appointments.
- The system integrates with existing county software and replaces a third-party scheduling platform.
- Other upgrades include an AI telephone assistant, contractor-document tools and fee payments that do not require users to log in.
- FastQ assistance is available at 407-836-8160 or FastTrackPermittingHelpDesk@ocfl.net.
- The AI permitting assistant can be reached at 407-836-5550.
