DBI outlines permit-processing acceleration plan and urges prioritizing frontline inspectors for testing and vaccination
Loading...
Summary
DBI described reorganizations, electronic review pilots and overtime to reduce plan-check backlog and promised targets for intake timeliness; commissioners urged staff to develop a vaccine/testing prioritization plan for inspectors and frontline staff and to return with a reported proposal.
The Department of Building Inspection presented a multi-pronged plan Jan. 20 to speed permit intake and plan reviews during the pandemic while addressing safety risks for field inspectors.
Sam Shorri, DBI's chief administrator for permitting and services, described recent operational changes: consolidating over-the-counter and plan-check intake, expanding online "no-plan" permits, piloting electronic plan review for Prop H and affordable housing, hiring temporary permit technicians and offering overtime to plan review staff, and partnering with Fire and Planning to process discipline-specific permits. DBI said it has seen early reductions in backlog and is aiming to clear queued projects by February and to reduce intake turnaround to 0'01 business days for incoming permits.
Commissioners and DBI staff turned to safety issues in the field. DBI reported construction-industry COVID outbreaks and that inspectors conducted nearly 4,000 inspections in a recent month; staff said 131 cases at construction sites had been reported since January and that some jobs had voluntarily suspended work following outbreaks. Inspectors use checklists for mask-wearing, screening protocols, distancing, signage and hand-washing stations; violations are documented and repeated noncompliance can be referred to the City Attorney.
Several commissioners urged prioritizing DBI frontline workers (inspectors and intake staff) for vaccination and for rapid testing access; Commissioner Jacobo suggested staff create an internal prioritization tier for employees most exposed in the field. Deputy City Attorney Rob Capela recommended turning this topic into a noticed action item and asked staff to present a prioritization plan that DBI could forward to the Department of Public Health, the mayor and state officials as appropriate. DBI agreed to prepare a report and a proposed tiering system for the commission's next meeting.
