The Land Development Team Oversight Subcommittee of the Santa Barbara City Council convened on September 19, 2025, to discuss ongoing improvements in land development processes and updates from various departments. The meeting focused on the implementation of recommendations from the Novak report, which outlined 31 suggestions for enhancing the efficiency of the land development team.

The Land Development Team (LDT) is now composed of six departments: Community Development, Public Works, Water Resources, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Sustainability and Resilience. The oversight committee's role is to advise the LDT and oversee the implementation of procedural changes and amendments to municipal codes.

A significant update was provided by the Building and Safety Division regarding the launch of a new building permit dashboard. This interactive platform, developed using Power BI technology, offers real-time data on building permits and inspections. It allows users to track the timeline of projects from application to issuance, providing transparency on the duration spent in the city’s hands versus the applicant's. This initiative aligns with the Novak report's recommendation to improve data accessibility and processing efficiency.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the introduction of on-demand permits, specifically for heat pump water heaters. This initiative allows residents to apply for permits online without fees, streamlining the process and reducing the workload on staff. The department is also working on expanding the list of on-demand permits to include other types of projects.

The committee discussed the need for increased plan viewing stations in the lobby to accommodate more public inquiries. Following a review of space constraints, the number of available appointments was increased from six to twelve, allowing for better public access to necessary documents.

The meeting also previewed the upcoming 2025 construction code adoption, which is set to be discussed in the ordinance committee on October 21, with city council meetings scheduled for November 18 and December 2. The new codes are expected to take effect on January 2, 2026.

Lastly, the subcommittee reviewed extended counter hours for public access to services. The current schedule allows for extended hours on Wednesdays, providing additional opportunities for residents to engage with city staff regarding permits and applications.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city’s commitment to improving land development processes and enhancing public service accessibility, with several initiatives already underway to implement the recommendations from the Novak report.