DBI reports permit issuance rebound to about 85% of pre‑pandemic levels; expands electronic plan review pilots

Assistant Director Christine Hesperic reported that DBI issued 4,547 permits in the most recent month, including roughly 4,100 over‑the‑counter permits and about 56 using electronic plan review. "About 67% of our permits were issued online... and we're at about 85% of what we were doing pre‑pandemic," Hesperic said.

DBI said it has expanded no‑plan online permit categories (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, reroofing) and will add kitchen and bathroom model permits next quarter. The department also announced its first Prop H electronic plan review permit processed on schedule under Prop H’s 30‑day timeline and said it will hire four additional plan checkers to increase capacity.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify terminology (distinguishing simple online permits that are automatically issued from EPR, which is for projects that require plan uploads and multi‑department review). Staff said ADU projects are being routed through EPR and that EPR enables parallel reviews across departments, which can speed complex project approvals once workflows are refined.

Interim Director Patrick O'Riordan and staff acknowledged earlier integration problems when EPR intake initially overwhelmed internal processes and said they have largely cleared a backlog. They committed to pilot expansions and monthly updates to the commission on adoption rates and performance metrics.

The commission did not take formal action on permit policy at the meeting; staff were asked to return with concrete metrics and a public‑facing set of customer guidance materials.