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Community Development outlines history, rebuilding program and a focused general plan update
Summary
San Joaquin County Community Development on Aug. 12 reviewed its planning and building history, reported progress resolving long‑running substandard housing cases, and described ReBUILD, a pilot program supported by a state REAP 2 grant aimed at rehabilitating vacant or substandard properties into affordable housing.
San Joaquin County’s Community Development Department presented a historical overview of its planning, building, code enforcement and fire prevention roles and described current programs staff say are intended to address substandard housing and accelerate affordable housing creation.
Director Jennifer Jolley and Assistant Director Merlo summarized the department’s evolution from early planning commissions in the 1930s through the adoption of the county development title and recent code updates. Staff reviewed building‑code history (Riley Act and adoption of model codes) and described the county’s code enforcement reorganization: code enforcement grew from a very small team during the recession to 14 full‑time officers as of 2025.
Staff described the transfer of the substandard housing and dangerous buildings program to Community Development in FY2022 and reported progress on longstanding cases: of the roughly 249 active cases transferred when the program moved, staff said 88% of the original cases have been resolved, 4% are in progress with permits applied for or issued, and 8% remain under active enforcement and some involve legal action.
Community Development staff introduced ReBUILD (Revitalization for Buildings, Land and Dwellings), a pilot program supported by an over $1,000,000 state REAP 2 grant administered through SJCOG. The program is aimed at assisting owners of substandard properties in unincorporated urban areas near Stockton to rehabilitate homes, add accessory dwelling units and convert vacant properties into affordable housing via incentives such as fee waivers, fast‑track permits and preapproved ADU plans. Staff said the program targets lots approximately 5,000–40,000 square feet and can include property management through receivership in some cases.
Staff also told the board they will start a focused general‑plan audit to identify areas that may be out of compliance with state law and to prioritize updates; building and fire officials are reviewing the 2025 California Building Standards that will take effect in January 2026. Staff said the Department will continue to expand ReBUILD and return with program details and reporting.
The presentation included a short video highlighting operational work and successes; supervisors thanked staff for the history and the ReBUILD pilot. No formal board action was required for the informational presentation, though supervisors asked staff to return with future program details and timelines.
