City Of Pinole: Building Permit Processing

Press release from the City of Pinole:

09/22/2021

Update on Building Permit Processing

Pinole, like many other cities, has been experiencing an unexpected construction boom since COVID-19 began. Many homeowners are undertaking projects to improve their residences. Whereas the City has historically received an average of 70 building permit applications per month over the past few years, since COVID-19 began, the City has been receiving an average of 85 applications per month, including some significant spikes, such as 50 applications over Memorial Day weekend and 50 applications around 4th of July. When COVID-19 began, the City implemented new online tools for building permit application and processing, so that the City could continue to process permits, in a safe manner, and the City has remained open continuously throughout the pandemic for permit processing. Unfortunately, despite new tools and remaining open continuously, this extraordinary volume has increased the average permit processing timeline from 8 weeks to 14 weeks. Also, coincidentally, the City recently experienced the departure of two key building staff members. This created a backlog in permit processing. The City has hired new staff, as well as brought in additional temporary assistance, and is addressing the backlog as well as newly-received applications. With improved processes and new staff, the City expects to address the backlog within the next month or two. Because this building boom is a region wide phenomenon, there are no additional outside resources that the City can engage to supplement our permanent and temporary staff. The City recognizes that permitting delays can be disappointing and frustrating. We are working as efficiently and diligently as possible to expeditiously process all permits. We are fortunate that so many members of the community are able to invest in their properties, and we appreciate applicants’ patience.

This press release was produced by the City of Pinole. The views expressed here are the author’s own.