ACCELA/eLAPS FAQ
If the Licensed Professional screen is blank, verify that a valid (applicable and non-expired) Professional License is connected to the account by going to Account Management > License Information in Accela.
For step-by-step instructions on how to add a professional license there are two options:
- Watch the tutorial for "How to Connect a Professional License", or
- Refer to the "How to Manage My Online Account" User Guide
For step-by-step instructions on how to add a delegate there are two options:
- Watch the tutorial for "How to Add a Delegate", or
- Refer to the "How to Manage My Online Account" User Guide
For step-by-step instructions on how to remove a delegate there are two options:
Watch the tutorial for "How to Add a Delegate", or
Refer to the "How to Manage My Online Account" User Guide.
Check your email inbox (including junk mail) for a password reset email from [email protected]. The password reset email can take up to 24 hours to be delivered. If you do not see one email BSEED Support ([email protected]).
If the system cannot locate the Professional License:
- Verify that the Professional License is not expired.
- Verify that the name is entered exactly as it is printed on Professional License.
Contact BSEED Support ([email protected]) for further assistance.
When performing an address search in Accela, less is more. Attempt to search for the property by ONLY entering the "Street No." and "Street Name". Leave the "Direction", "Street Type", "Unit Type", "Unit No.", "City", "State", "Zip", and "Parcel Number" blank.
If you are still not successful contact BSEED Support ([email protected]) for further assistance.
Email BSEED Support ([email protected]) and include the following information in the email:
- Full Address
- Proof of Ownership
- Application ID or Temp ID from Accela (if applicable)
Accepted forms of ownership:
- A copy of Property Tax bill addressed to the new owner
- A copy of the land deed
If the application requires Plan Review, the applicant is required to upload project documents to ePLANS (ProjectDox) in addition to eLAPS (Accela) for the application to be accepted.
Connecting a Professional License can take up to three business days to be approved.
The permit process can take up to 20 calendar days. The biggest determinants of processing time are the quality and completeness of the application by the time it reaches the Cycle 1 review (initial review).
BSEED can reset account passwords but we are unable to reset Security Questions & Answers. After your account password is reset you can change the Security Question and/or by going into Account Management.
eLAPS (Accela) is used for application submittal and ePLANS (ProjectDox) is used for used for uploading documents for plan review..
Currently it is not possible to waive the base fee online. To waive the base fee manually come to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (2 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226) 4th Floor Suite 402 Licensing & Permits Division to add-on to a permit at the counter.
If the credit card is not accepted:
- Verify that the credit card number was entered correctly
- Ensure there are no hyphens or spaces typed in the credit card number field
- Ensure the name and billing address match with your financial institution
If the Credit Card number is still not accepted you can pay in person at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (2 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48226) 4th Floor Suite 402 Cashier Station.
Within the Permit, select Record Details > Attachments to view the downloadable Permit
For step-by-step instructions on how to add a Professional License to account either:
- Watch the tutorial for "How to Add a Professional License", or
- Read the User Guide for "How to Manage My Online Account"
If the Parcel Number is not recognized contact BSEED Support ([email protected]) to have a manual correction made.
After payment is made the existing Permit cannot be edited any further.
No, the initial fees must be paid upfront before application processing can begin.
No, for the best use experience use a Windows or Mac computer.
You must first create an ACA account. This makes you a registered ACA user.
Registered users can only schedule inspections for records that they “own.” The records that they own are the ones that are in their account.
Licensed Professionals can schedule inspections for records on which they are listed as the licensed professional.
The record creator can schedule inspections on records they created. In ACA, you must be a registered user BEFORE you can be a record creator.
Records that registered users create via ACA are automatically in your account.
If records were created in the back office, registered users must contact the department in order to have the record(s) placed on their account. The back office will verify that the registered user has authority to manage the record(s) and will place the registered user’s email address in the contact information on the record(s).
If a registered user’s contact email address matches the contact email address on the record(s), then the record(s) will appear in the registered user’s account. The records will appear under My Records.
Inspections must be scheduled at least two business days out. For instance, if it is a Thursday, you cannot select a date prior to Monday of the next week.
If it is after 2PM when you submit an inspection request, then it will be considered to have been submitted the next business day. e.g., if it is Thursday at 11:00 AM, you can schedule for Monday, or later, of the next week. If it is Thursday at 2:30 PM, you can schedule for Tuesday, or later, of the next week.
City holidays are automatically blocked on the calendar.
If a schedule is full for the day, the calendar will not accept any further inspections for that day.
Inspections scheduled online are subject to change just as they are when a customer has scheduled via the back office. Generally, you will have your inspection on the date you selected from the calendar. But emergency or unforeseen situations might result in no inspectors being available for your inspection. The department will contact you as soon as possible if your date has to change.
Inspectors typically contact customers on the morning of the inspection to let them know when they will arrive. They might give a customer a two-hour window in which to expect them. If you have not received a call by 9AM the day of your inspection, you should contact BSEED to confirm a time. However, since there may be unforeseen delays in an inspector’s route, it is expected that you will be available on the full day of your inspection to ensure that the inspector has access to the premises and to a responsible party where required. It is also your responsibility to ensure that you have provided current contact information when scheduling your inspection.
You can cancel inspections online. Cancellations online must be made by 10:00 AM the day prior to the already scheduled inspection. After 10:00 AM, you must contact BSEED cancel an inspection.
You can reschedule inspections online. Rescheduling online must be done by 10:00 AM the day prior to the already scheduled inspection. After 10:00 AM, you must contact BSEED to reschedule an inspection. Rescheduling inspections must also adhere to the same time “two days out” rule.
Rescheduling fees may apply if inspections are not canceled in a timely manner.
Required inspections are the minimum inspections that must take place, depending on the permit/registration type.
Optional inspections are those that might become necessary depending on the specific work that is being performed on a permit, or conditions found at a location.
***Roughs and Finals are typically all that are needed for most trade inspections. Customers who are unsure about what additional inspections might be needed can consult with the inspector during their initial (e.g. rough) inspection.
Some inspections require customers to contact the department to schedule the inspection. This is generally the case where multiple disciplines must be coordinated or work is to be performed on off-hours.
Contact Construction or Property Maintenance:
Contact BSEED Support