Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
Effective January 6, 2025, Code Enforcement has expanded its Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal. Accela is now the preferred portal for all customer projects.
This one-stop solution has long been a request from our customers, and we are pleased to be able to offer this streamlined access to Code Enforcement services.
Which projects can utilize the Accela portal?
Effective Jan. 6, 2025, the following projects should submit using Accela:
- Residential projects, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Single-family or two-family structures
- Accessory dwelling units (ADU’s)
- Garages
- Townhomes
- Residential master plans
- Residential repairs, renovations and upfits
- Equipment changeouts (also known as Trade Internet Permits/TIP)
- Commercial projects, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Small commercial projects
- Large commercial projects/OnSchedule
- Mega projects
- Special projects
The following specialty service streams will be moved to Accela in the coming weeks:
- Demolition
- Live Remote Inspections (LRI)
- Homeowner Internet Permits (HIP)
What about projects that have already been submitted?
Customers with projects already in progress will continue using our legacy portals, Electronic Plan Management (EPM) and POSSE Outrider, also known as the contractor dashboard. These portals will not remain open indefinitely; all customers with new projects should submit using Accela.
Resources for customers
The following user guides provide step-by-step information on setting up your user login and managing your account:
Important Information for Our Customers
Our customers have been using Accela for select project types for some time now. As more of our customers engage with us using Accela, and as we prepare to expand Accela in the coming weeks to become the preferred customer portal for all projects, we wanted to add one important item to every contractor customer’s to-do list:
All contractors should create an Accela account/login as soon as possible.
Here’s what you need to know about creating an Accela account:
- Having an account set up is critically important; it will not only allow contractors to submit projects to Accela, it will allow GC’s to designate subcontractors for various projects. If a subcontractor’s account is not set up in Accela, a GC will not be able to attach the subcontractor to the project.
- Contractors can use the same surety bond they already use with Mecklenburg County, as well, of course, as the same license.
- When account setup is complete, customers will have the same “X-number”, also known as account number.
- Setting up an account is not a lengthy process, and can be done anytime online.
- First, set up an create an Accela account here. You will have an opportunity to add your license information – please do so.
- Then, once your professional license has been verified by the agency, you will have the opportunity to add your bond/trust account, which will allow facilitation of payments for permits and other services. We have provided a detailed tutorial on adding bond/trust account information here.
That’s it! Once this process is complete, contractors are ready to obtain permits using Accela. We are delighted to have you on this journey with us.
Questions? Contact our Customer Service Center at 980-314-CODE or [email protected].
Need help?
We're here to help! Call our Customer Service Center at 980-314-CODE(2633) and press 1, or e-mail [email protected].