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CSS

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1. General - What is CSS?

CSS stands for Citizen Self Service portal. It allows applications, payments, and requests to be made online. Learn more and access the portal.

Learn more and access the portal

2. General - What is eReview?

eReview is another component of our land management software system that allows you and staff to submit and return permit and plan comments, see review status updates and more. eReview can be accessed through your Permit or Plan Details page for each submittal on CSS or via the link provided in your submittal confirmation email. Watch a how-to video on the eReview process.

3. General - What’s the difference between CSS and eReview?

CSS is a web portal through which you can do the following:

• Apply for plans and permits
• Schedule inspections and pay fees
• View all active plans and permits throughout the city
• View active code cases
• Access information without having to register or sign in

eReview is a separate program / portal where the applicant and city staff can exchange document submittals and comments. This portal is only visible to you as the applicant, and you must be logged in to view your active cases and associated information. 

4. General - How do I register in CSS?

Registration is very straightforward. Once on the CSS website, go to Sign Up and you will be walked through the steps. For more information, see our How to Register in CSS tutorial document, or watch our How to Register in CSS video.

5. General - Why can't I find my address when I search for it?

Make sure you only put in the street number and street name when searching for the address. Do not include the suffix when searching for your address (i.e. exclude Drive, Parkway, Road, etc.).  Also, make sure you click the magnifying glass to conduct the search.

6. General - How will I know what plans to upload for review?

You will receive an email with instructions after submitting your application. Please review our Plan Review Tutorial Video for additional details.

7. General - How do I know when I need to make a payment?

You will receive an email when your invoice has been created and is ready for payment.

8. General - Do you have any videos to help me through the process?

Yes! We have videos available on our Development Portal webpage.

9. General - Why can’t I add the owner / co-applicant / etc. as another contact in CSS?

To add a contact to your application, the individual will first need to register in CSS. Once they have registered, you will be able to search and add them as a contact.

10. General - How do I pay my fees?

Online - Credit Card

• Visa, MasterCard or Discover

• How to Make a Payment video 

In person - Cash or Check

221 North Tennessee St, First Floor

McKinney, Texas  75069

11. General - I’m the owner / co-applicant / etc. Why can’t I see any invoices for my submittals?

The original applicant (whoever is logged in when applying) will automatically be assigned as the billing contact. If you need to change the billing contact, please let us know and we can change it for you.

12. General - How can I print my permit?

Please view our How to Print a Permit video.

13. General - Can I use any web browser with CSS and eReview?

The recommended web browser for both CSS and eReview is Internet Explorer. The Silverlight plugin will also be needed to upload files into the eReview program.

14. General - How will I know if the permit I am applying for is within the city limits, the ETJ or outside?

Zoning and city limit information is available through our interactive map. Once you’ve submitted in CSS, zoning will populate on your application in the District field of the permit details section.

15. General - CSS says my account has been locked out because I entered the wrong password.  What do I do?

Wait three minutes and try again. As long as you remember your password and are entering it correctly, it will let you in after it resets. If you need to reset your password, click the Forgot Password link and you will receive an email to reset your password.  

16. General - How do I know what staff member is conducting my plan review?

Once inside eReview, navigate to the Review Details page for that particular case. Go to the review version you are inquiring about (i.e., Plan Review v.1, Plan Review v.2, etc.), and a list of review departments and staff reviewers will appear to the right. You can also view the status of that department’s review, the anticipated return date for comments and more.

17. General - How do I know that the plans I uploaded to eReview were received?

Once your submittal has been received by the system, your files will turn blue on the Case Details page in eReview. Once the plans have been routed to staff, a new review version (i.e., Plan Review v.1, Plan Review v.2, etc.) will appear under Review Details, where you can also see the reviewers and due dates.

18. General - How do I add additional contacts to my permit or plan?

Please refer to our tutorial document for How to Add Additional Contacts to an Existing Permit. The instructions are the same as for a plan submittal, only there is a "plan number" instead of a "permit number" and the selection of contact types you can add will vary.

19. Building Inspections - After I send in my application, make a payment and receive an inspection, will I receive a confirmation email? 

You will receive a confirmation email with a link and instructions on how to upload your plans if your submittal requires plan review. You will receive an email once your invoice is ready to be paid. You have the ability to log into your CSS account at any time to view your inspection results. Please view our How to View Inspection Results - PDF.

20. Building Inspections - Why do I have to register to get a garage sale permit? 

Since our permitting process is only digital now, all applicants must register and create an account in CSS before submitting any documentation.

21. Building Inspections - My trade contractors have changed; how do I change them on my permit? 

To remove a contact from a permit, please call our Building Inspections staff. As long as all contacts have created an account in contacts, you have the ability to add additional contacts to your CSS application at any time. Navigate to the permit you would like to add contacts to, go to the Contact tab and then Add Contact. Type in the name and conduct a search to add a contact (this is why all contacts must register first).  

22. Building Inspections - How do I cancel a Building Inspection through CSS?

You cannot cancel an inspection digitally through CSS. Please call 972-547-7400 and a Permit Technician will assist you with our inspection cancellation.

23. Building Inspections - How do I request a Certificate of Occupancy inspection?

• For a Building Inspection, make your request through the CSS Portal. 
• For an Engineering Inspection, call 972-547-7475.
• For a Fire Inspection, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at at 972-547-2850.
• For a Planning Inspection, contact the Planning Department at 972-547-2000.
• For a Parks Inspection, contact the Parks Department at 972-547-7480.

24. Code Services - I am completing a temporary health permit application; where do I put the name of my event

Enter the name and date of your event in the description field.

25. Code Services - For a health permit submittal, how do I upload my Certificate of Occupancy, floor plans, certified food manager and other required documents?

At the bottom of the CSS screen, go to the "Add Attachment" button to upload these documents.

26. Engineering - I applied for the wrong Engineering Permit in CSS. What do I do?

Contact the Project Expediter or the Development Engineer assigned to your permit. They can make an adjustment in the system for you.

27. Engineering - How do I schedule my pre-construction meeting with the Engineering Department?

Once your Civil Plans and Bid Tabs have been approved by the Development Engineer assigned to your permit, our Project Expediter or Senior Construction Engineer will reach out to you to schedule this meeting. You may also contact us directly at 972-547-7475.

28. Engineering - How do I request Engineering Construction Inspections?

Call the Engineering Department at 972-547-7475.

29. Planning - How do I access my revisions for my Planning Case Submittals?

Revisions can be viewed in eReview two ways. You have the option to navigate to eReview via the Plan Details page for that case in CSS, or via the link provided in the Plan Revisions Necessary email. For more details on viewing comments and uploading revisions, see our eReview Video. When uploading files to eReview, be sure to name each file according to the file type (i.e. an Amending Plat Exhibit would be named "Amending Plat," the Letter of Intent would be “Letter of Intent". This allows the system to create a category based on the file name, and for staff to quickly and easily identify uploaded files. Please note that at this time, only PDF files can be uploaded through eReview.

30. Planning - Is there a way to see the Case Manager for my planning submittal?

Your Case Manager’s name will be on the Plan Details page for each case, next to Assigned To.

31. Planning - What does Hold status mean for a Planning Case?

Holds may be issued for a variety of reasons. If your status in CSS changes to “On Hold”, navigate to the Holds tab on the case’s Plan Details page for more information:

• Associated Submittal Required: Indicates that an additional submittal, such as a plat or façade plan, will be required prior to issuing permits.
• Missing Attachments: Indicates that all the required documents were not submitted either with the original application in CSS or for review in eReview.
• Outstanding Comments: Indicates that the case is unable to move forward (such as filing a plat or issuing a permit) due to outstanding comments.
• Planning Hold: Indicates a generic hold, and may be used if a shared parking agreement is required, an associated case is also on hold, etc.
• Unpaid Fees: Indicates fees must be paid before the case can move forward.

Please contact your case manager, listed next to Assigned To, to determine what needs to be done to remove the hold.

32. Planning - When will I get my planning submittal comments back?

Review times vary. Please keep tuned to the status of your permit. If the status changes to On Hold, contact your Case Manager for more details as that means that more information is needed to move ahead.

33. Planning - How do I know if my planning submittal was approved?

Once your plans are approved, the status in CSS and eReview will update to Approved. Additionally, you will receive an email letting you know that your approval letter is ready to be viewed in CSS by navigating to Attachments on the Plan Details page for that case. 

34. Planning - How do I schedule a pre-development meeting with the Planning Department?

Email Planning or call 972-547-7409 to schedule your meeting. Please also see our Pre-development Meeting Guidelines for assistance.

35. Planning - How do I file a plat?

Once your public improvements have been completed and accepted by Engineering, please submit any changes to the plat for review through eReviews. Please name the file “Final Plat Review.” Once this has been approved for filing, please bring in three signed original copies of the plat, as well as tax certificates for all properties being platted. Fees for filing can be found on the Collin County Clerk’s webpage. After the plat has been filed with the county, staff will notify you that your copy is ready to be picked up.