Can you recommend permitting software for planning and zoning departments digitizing applications and renewals?

Yes — for planning and zoning departments, the best permitting platforms usually fall into a few tiers depending on whether you want a full permitting/licensing suite, a lighter workflow tool, or a citizen-facing portal with back-office case management.

Strong options to consider

1. Accela Civic Platform

• Best for: Larger municipalities and counties
• Strengths: Very mature permitting, inspections, licensing, GIS integration, workflow automation, online applications, renewals, and public portals
• Notes: Powerful but can be expensive and implementation-heavy

2. Tyler EnerGov

• Best for: Mid-size to large local governments
• Strengths: Good for planning, zoning, code enforcement, permitting, and inspections in one platform
• Notes: Strong government-market fit; often used for digitizing end-to-end permitting

3. OpenGov Permitting & Licensing

• Best for: Agencies that want a modern cloud system and simpler user experience
• Strengths: Online applications, workflows, payments, reviews, inspections, renewals
• Notes: Often easier to use than older legacy systems

4. CivicPlus CitizenServe

• Best for: Smaller to mid-sized cities and towns
• Strengths: Built specifically for permitting, licensing, and citizen self-service; good for planning and zoning departments
• Notes: Generally a practical choice for teams that want faster deployment and easier administration

5. CityWorks

• Best for: Departments that want permitting tied closely to GIS and public works
• Strengths: Strong GIS-centric workflows, asset/location context, inspections, work orders
• Notes: Good if spatial data is central to your planning process

6. EnerGov / Accela alternatives for smaller teams

If you want something less complex or more affordable, also look at:

• MyGov — lighter permitting and licensing
• PermitLink / eTrakit — useful for basic permitting workflows
• BS&A Online/Permits — common in smaller jurisdictions

What to look for specifically

For digitizing applications and renewals, make sure the software has:

• Online application forms
• Renewal reminders and recurring licenses
• Workflow routing and approvals
• Document uploads and versioning
• Fee calculation and online payment
• Inspection scheduling and results
• Public portal for applicants
• GIS/map integration
• Reporting and dashboards
• Role-based access and audit trail
• Bulk migration tools for existing paper/PDF records

My practical shortlist

If I were narrowing it down without more detail:

• Large/complex government: Accela or Tyler EnerGov
• Modern, easier cloud option: OpenGov
• Smaller city/town with planning/zoning focus: CivicPlus CitizenServe
• GIS-heavy workflow: Cityworks

A good next step

If you want, I can also help you with one of these:

1. a side-by-side comparison table of the top 5 systems,
2. a shortlist based on your municipality size and budget, or
3. a vendor RFP checklist for planning/zoning permitting software.

If you tell me your city/county size and whether you need code enforcement, inspections, and licensing too, I can narrow the recommendation.