Permitting Pro: Empowering Community with Hassle-Free Business & Building Permits

Meet Zenobia Haynes, a beauty blogger turned permitting consultant who has ventured beyond the realm of haircare and fashion to establish her own permitting business in Atlanta. With a passion for helping others navigate the complex world of permits and regulations, Zenobia has transformed herself into a trusted advisor for those seeking a smoother journey through the often frustrating maze of permits.

What inspired you to transition from a beauty blogger to the owner of a permit business like Nine2Six Solutions?

The beauty and fashion industry will forever be apart of who I am and I hope to tap back into it one day. For now, I am enjoying still creating style and beauty content for social media. From 2017-Jan 2023 I was employed with the City of Atlanta, Department of City planning as a Permit Technician.

During my time there I gained a lot of knowledge in the field of construction and permitting. I also met my husband while working at the City of Atlanta. As a business owner himself, promoter and host, he has a lot of great connections in Atlanta.

Property and business owners would often ask us for our assistance in the permitting process. We realized there was a need for reliable permit expeditors within our community, so we created Nine2Six Solutions, a full-service permit expediting consultancy. Since launching in January 2023, we have made a lot of new connections and continue to service new and existing clients.

What sets Nine2Six Solutions apart from other permit consulting firms, and who is your ideal customer?

Simply put, we promise to deliver results. Often times, permit expeditors get a bad reputation for taking money and not delivering final results which is typically the official permit card and certificate of occupancy. Also, we have built a lot of great connections and relationships with those working in the permitting department, specifically within the City of Atlanta. We have the resources needed to move any project forward to completion.

Our ideal clients are developers, design professionals, home owners, contractors, and brick-and-mortar business owners. Our ideal clients, understand the value that an experienced expediter can bring to the overall project by meeting final deadlines. Ideally, our client is busy with other important aspects of the project, and need our expediting services to ensure accuracy in things regarding permitting.

In what scenarios might a permit be required, and how long does the permitting process usually take?

In Georgia, specifically the Metro Atlanta area which is our expertise a permit is required for any type of new construction, interior or exterior alterations to your property. Structural changes, demolition, converting from one use to another or replacing any type of mechanical, gas, electrical or plumbing system all require pulling a permit.

Essentially, your scope of work is dependent upon if a permit is required or not. Although, in most cases it is. The time it takes to get a permit also depends on your scope of work and how many reviews are required. I typically tell clients it can take an average of 2-3 months before a permit is issued to commence work.

Can you share a specific success story or project that highlights the impact of Nine2Six Solutions’ services on a client’s business?

We successfully permitted a merchandise container store for Magic City. Being that adult entertainment facilities are typically zoned differently there was a lot of specific zoning conditions that had to be addressed, for even something as simple as a merch store. It took a couple months, but we were able to successfully permit the store and get them their certificate of occupancy to officially open and begin selling merchandise.

What are some challenges a business may face during the permitting process?

Overall the permitting process can be very daunting as there are a lot of submittal requirements that must be met. If you are a new business owner, the permitting process can sometimes be overwhelming. Often times, business owners are operating in buildings with no permit or certificate of occupancy, which is illegal.

One of the most important tips I give my clients is to begin by confirming if their intended use is allowable based on the zoning. Many business owners sign leases without confirming the use of the space which can end up being a huge headache.

Permit applications can be complex and time-consuming. How does Nine2Six Solutions simplify the process for its clients and ensure a smooth and efficient experience?

We take full charge over the application and submittal process. Often times, we complete the entire application packet for our clients. We are responsible for getting all required signatures, notary stamps, contractors documentation etc. This also makes it easier for us to keep track of what has been submitted. We also work hand in hand with the designated design professional to ensure all of the required information is included in the building plans.

If revisions are requested after an initial review has been done, we work with the design professional to ensure all redlines have been addressed prior to resubmitting. To make this a more streamlined process for us and our client, we as the expeditors are the main point of contact on all projects the we submit. We also value high quality customer service.

Permit regulations can vary from region to region. How does Nine2Six Solutions adapt its services to cater to clients operating in different geographical areas?

As of now, we only service clients in the Metro Atlanta area. As we expand our knowledge of permitting procedures locally, we do plan to eventually service clients in other states. We are currently open to collaborating with expeditors in other areas who may have projects in the Atlanta market.

Compliance with permit regulations is vital for businesses to operate legally and avoid penalties. How does Nine2Six Solutions assist clients in maintaining ongoing compliance and staying updated on any changes in regulations?

Prior to getting building plans done, and submitting to the selected municipality it is always a good idea to have a licensed inspector come out to do an initial inspection of the space to determine what renovations can and/or need to be done to be up to code. We have many great resources available to be able to get this done for our clients.

Once the permit and certificate of occupancy have been issued and posted, most businesses are okay to operate long term. If the client needs to make any additional changes after the permit has been issued, of course they can call on us to resubmit the revised plans for approval.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own permit consulting business or venture into the regulatory field?

I am only just beginning in the field of entrepreneurship. Based on my experience thus far, I feel that two of the most important aspects, specifically in the service industry is identifying and understanding your niche and their needs. Also, staying consistent in your work ethic. Consistently delivering great and valuable customer service, as well as consistently marketing your business so people know your services exist.

Looking ahead, what are Nine2Six Solutions’ future goals and aspirations, and how do you envision the company evolving in the coming years and expanding its services to better serve its clients in the permit industry?

As we grow and continue to establish a positive name for ourselves within the construction/permitting industry our goal is to expand our services outside of the Metro Atlanta area, starting with Savannah, GA. I am originally from Savannah and based on our research thus far and word of mouth, a permit expediting service is needed in that area. As requests for permits increase, we hope to employ and add a couple permit runners to our team within the next couple of years.

What does the name of your company mean? Do you mind giving a brief explanation of the name Nine2Six Solutions?

Yes! Our wedding anniversary date is September 26. Nine2Six Solutions is a word play on our wedding date. Personally, I did not want to include the term permitting, because I wanted to make sure our brand name could be inclusive to providing other services in the future.

To learn more about Nine2Six Solutions and contact Zenobia for permitting services in Atlanta, visit nine2sixsolutions.com