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DBI reports improved turnaround but warns of millions in deferred revenues and pauses superhigh‑rise permits
Summary
DBI reported reduced plan‑check turnarounds (commercial ~7.4 days, residential ~6.3 days) but warned of a revenue shortfall tied to deferred permit fees and delayed issuance of the tall‑building Administrative Bulletin; staff said permits for superhigh‑rise projects will not be issued until the AB is resolved.
The Department of Building Inspection told the Building Inspection Commission on Feb. 5 that plan‑check turnaround times have improved but that revenue shortfalls tied to deferred permit fees and a delayed Administrative Bulletin (AB) for tall buildings could leave the department several million dollars short this fiscal year.
"In November, it was 7.4 days for commercial plan check, and now it's December. Similarly, in residential plan check, we reduced it down to 6.3 days," the director said, summarizing recent performance gains. The director also said the department is addressing short staffing in the electrical and housing inspection divisions and plans to post positions in the next budget cycle.
On revenue, the director said DBI deferred about $2 million in permit fees for redevelopment projects with affordable units and has delayed issuing an AB for tall buildings, both of which reduce near‑term receipts. "I think by June, we will be about $3,000,000 short," the director said, adding that current indicators had shown as much as a $5 million shortfall before accounting for some deferred receipts.
DBI staff confirmed that the department "will not be issuing a permit for superhigh rise buildings until that AB is issued," a policy that has led some applicants to delay filing plans. The department said developers may still submit projects that are strictly code‑conforming but that some projects using alternate or performance‑based approaches will wait for the AB guidance.
Commissioners asked whether index changes to building valuation (Marshall & Swift) would raise fees; staff said the valuation update follows Marshall & Swift indices and that fee tables themselves remain unchanged, although some projects could move into a higher fee category if their valuation changes.
DBI said it is taking a careful approach to training tied to new codes, which requires pulling staff for multi‑day sessions and balancing that training against service delivery. The department also said it is working with DTIS on a revised MIS strategy aimed at delivering an adjusted RFP and implementation plan by May 1.
