CBJ halts new permit applications Dec. 11-Jan. 11 due to system upgrades

In-person processing of existing applications available until Dec. 31; all permitting activity will be paused between Jan. 1-11

Juneau’s Community Development Department inside the Marine View Building will be upgrading its online permitting system between Dec. 11 and Jan. 11. New permit applications will not be accepted during that period. -People can seek assistance with existing applications at the CDD office Mondays through Thursdays until Dec. 31. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

The city will not accept new building, right-of-way and utility permit applications between Dec. 11 and Jan. 11 because the system is being updated to a more flexible process, according to Community Development Department officials.

Online access to existing permit applications will also not be available during that time, although in-person assistance will be available at CDD’s office from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays until Dec. 31, Jay Larson, CDD’s permit center manager, stated in an email to the Juneau Independent on Thursday. All permitting activity, including processing of existing applications and inspections, will be halted between Jan. 1 and 11 due to the upgrade.

"Fortunately, the timing for this couldn’t have come at a better time for most, as the end of December through the beginning of January is typically the slowest season for new projects," he wrote. "We typically process less than forty (40) permits in December, most of those in the first couple weeks. We see fewer Land Use applications during the winter months, and most of the building permits received are for ‘Over the counter’ applications, especially for heat pumps and boilers."

"Earlier this month, we sent information to most of the contractors we have on file with CDD, urging them to get their permits in before the December 11th deadline," Larson added.

Email is currently used by applicants and CDD staff to exchange documentation and plans, according to a notice published on the City and Borough of Juneau’s website Wednesday. The new system will alllow website-based exchanges of documents, payments and real-time checking of permit status.

"Once we go live on January 12, 2026, customers will be able to visit the CDD website and access a link to the Civic Access Portal to create a unique account for their CDD and other CBJ Permitting needs," Larson wrote.

More information from CDD is available at juneau.org/community-development ,or the Permit Center at permits@juneau.gov or (907) 586-077.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.