Texas is growing—fast. From North Texas metros to once-sleepy suburbs, new neighborhoods, retail centers, and commercial buildings are reshaping the state’s landscape. Local governments are driving development that reflects Texas’s deep-rooted pride and forward momentum. At the same rate, that means more applications, more inspections, and a lot more pressure on systems that weren’t designed for this kind of demand.
Everything’s Bigger—Even the Workload
We’ve had conversations with permitting and inspection teams across the state that illuminate a common challenge for staff—backlogs aren’t happening because of team effort, but more so because the systems behind them aren’t working hard enough.
As Texas communities grow, departments are rising to the challenge and plowing through applications using software that often feels clunky, disconnected, or simply not designed for how local government works today. What once felt manageable now feels like a race against time.
Commercial projects such as retail centers or new builds are some of the first to feel the strain. When multiple systems handle the approvals, intakes, and inspections separately, it’s easy for things to slow down or slip through the cracks. With the right tools, communities can keep projects moving, maintain momentum, and serve their residents with pride.
Complexity Behind Commercial Development
Beyond the sheer volume of commercial developments lies their complexity. These projects often touch multiple departments and require tight coordination across zoning, utilities, and inspections—all while drawing public interest and attention.
Many Texas local governments aren’t built for this level of coordination and workflow. As a result, critical information can become lost, internal communication slows down, and staff morale suffers. Meanwhile, applicants are left wondering about the status of their projects. When communities grow as fast as they do in Texas, staff need clearer workflows and better visibility—without losing the care they bring to every project.
Creating Space to Grow
Texas governments need room to grow—and that means having tools built to match the speed and scale of development. More local agencies are turning to systems that help standardize workflows, improve communication, and give every department visibility into the full permitting process. When review teams can stay in sync, inspectors can update records from the field, and property activity is tracked in one place. This moves meaningful commercial development projects forward and restores capacity.
As Texas continues to lead the way in community and commercial development, clarity and coordination are two guiding principles that will help staff manage the growth with ease. We compiled a checklist of action items to support your permitting process and scale, alongside your community.