Building Division Performance Measures – Fiscal Year 2020-21

The number of building inspections conducted exceeds the number of building permits issued because building inspections are conducted on an as-needed basis for all active building permits, not only the building permits that were issued that same month. While construction associated with simple building permits may be completed and inspected shortly after building permit issuance, more complex building permits may involve extended periods of construction and/or multiple building inspections.

State law also allows building permits to remain active for at least one year from the date of issuance, meaning that some permittees may choose not to begin construction immediately upon building permit issuance or may choose to pause construction that has already begun (e.g., due to the discovery of unanticipated conditions). In those cases, the need for building inspections may also be delayed.

The median turnaround time for plans taken in for review includes all types of projects and all submittals, including plans reviewed for the first time. The City’s turnaround time standards vary based on those factors and, as a result, fluctuations in median turnaround times occur based on the nature of the plans submitted to the City. Months in which more plans are taken in for complex projects, and months in which more plans are taken in for review for the first time, are expected to have increased median turnaround times as compared to months in which the opposite is true. For more information on the City’s turnaround time standards, please refer to the next frequently asked question.

The City’s turnaround time standards for plans that are taken in for review vary based on the type of project and whether the plans are being reviewed for the first time.

Maximum turnaround times are as follows:

• Residential New Construction
  • Initial Review: 7 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 5 days
• Residential Additions and/or Accessory Building
  • Initial Review: 5 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 3 days
• Residential Remodels
  • Initial Review: 5 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 3 days
• Commercial/Non-Residential New Construction
  • Initial Review: 10 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 5 days
• Commercial/Non-Residential Additions
  • Initial Review: 7 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 5 days
• Small Commercial/Non-Residential Remodels and/or Tenant Improvements
  • Initial Review: 7 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 5 days
• Large/Complex Commercial and/or Non-Residential Projects
  • Initial Review: 10 days
  • Subsequent Reviews: 5 days

For the purpose of calculating turnaround times, a “day” is defined as Monday through Friday excluding only federal holidays and holidays observed by the City, generally beginning on the first weekday following the date that the City takes in plans.

The amount of over-the-counter building plan review that the City can complete is most directly affected by the complexity of projects. While the City’s goal is to complete as much over-the-counter building plan review as possible, plans that require extensive review for compliance with the California Building Standards Code (e.g., projects involving structural alterations) are taken in. In addition to being technically necessary, taking in complex, time-intensive plans also helps to minimize wait times and maximize the number of customers who can be served at the permit counter each day.

The number of building plan reviews is typically less than the number of building permits issued due to many types of projects not requiring building plan review (e.g., electric panel change-outs, shower and tub replacements, pre-engineered sunrooms and patio covers installations, first-time washer and dryer installations, and water heater replacements). Additionally, some building plan reviews are completed in advance of building permit issuance, which may result in different reporting months.