Hartford development services presents flat budget, touts faster permitting and progress on rental licensing and blight remediation

Hartford — The Department of Development Services told the city’s Operations Management, Budget & Government Accountability Committee on Thursday that its recommended fiscal-year budget is largely personnel-focused and about flat to last year, while directors described measurable gains in permitting speed, steps to expand home- and rental-housing units, and ongoing work to reduce vacancy and blight.

Director of Development Services Jeff Aaker told committee members the department’s total headcount remains steady at 88 positions and the recommended budget is down about 2.1% from last year largely for accounting reallocations. “The budget that you’re gonna see here is for the people, almost entirely,” Aaker said, adding discretionary spending and some special funds were accounted for elsewhere.

The department highlighted three operational achievements the committee said it is tracking closely: a large reduction in permit processing time, progress on the newly implemented rental licensing program, and targeted remediation of vacant and blighted properties.

A 57% reduction in average time from application to permit issuance was reported by Judith Rothschild, director of Licensing and Inspections, comparing permit performance in 2024 to 2023. “We have really increased the speed of getting your permits through the city of Hartford,” Rothschild said, citing staff training and fixes to the online permitting system.

On rental licensing,…