To improve Dallas’ lagging permit approval process, its Development Services Department has created a Rapid Single-Family VIP Program, or RSVP, to make it possible for builders to get new single-family home permits the same day.
For two years, the department has dealt with a backlog of applications as the housing industry boomed and the pandemic slowed turnaround. Andrew Espinoza, director and chief building official, felt that something needed to be done to improve the process and workflow.
On Sept. 2, the department started the appointment-based program and has created 21 individual appointments for customers so far. He says, “That’s a fantastic response for two weeks. That’s 21 permits that have the potential of being issued the same day and not getting caught up in the traditional way of submittals.”
When Espinoza joined the team, he found that all projects—no matter the complexity—were being filtered through the same workflow causing the planning review team to be bogged down. “Folks that really want to get their permits as quickly as possible and qualify for the program, why should they fall into the same queue? When we go to the store, you and I have the option to wait in the long line, or if we have 10 items or less and are OK with checking ourselves out, we can take advantage of it to save time. Our goal was to cast out an additional opportunity for customers that wanted to expeditiously move through the process for simple and qualifying projects.”
The RSVP program allows an applicant to make an appointment and partner with city staff on a joint review of the project’s designs and documentation. Eligible projects must be new single-family homes with a maximum of 3,000 square feet and three stories. Also, projects cannot be in a special overlay zoning district. If the project meets the building and zoning standards, the city can issue the permit the same day. Fees for the review time are $200 per hour with a minimum reservation time of two hours.
If comments during the review cannot be resolved, the applicant has the option to request partial permit approval to start their project. While partial approvals do not allow for vertical construction, applicants can begin site development, utility install, and foundation work as corrections are resubmitted.
“We’re excited about this appointment-based project. The idea is to connect city staff with the customer and have that really good experience and relationship that you can only get from meeting with someone in person,” Espinoza adds.
“In addition, this is our first swing at this. Dallas has never done this. As we go through it, it’s going to be a learning experience for the customer and for us. We’ve already been asked if we can expand the square footage qualifier; some say it seems a bit too low at 3,000 square feet. We’re going to be closely monitoring the success and feedback that we received so that we can continue to make the program better.”
While RSVP is the newest attempt to speed the process, Espinoza has been at work to improve other areas as well, including getting same-day approvals for simple remodels and additions. “Our goal is to issue for swimming pools, additions, carports, and interior demolitions over the counter the same day thus allowing the planning review team for new single-family homes to get to those projects a lot quicker.”
For high-volume builders, the development services team has also set up a Master Permit Program so that set floor plans for a subdivision can be reviewed and approved early. Espinoza says the department wants to connect with builders so that these projects are vetted and can be expedited through the normal process faster.
In the affordable housing lane, Espinoza is forming an affordable housing team to partner with developers and builders who are working on reasonable-cost homes. “Previously, when they would pass the ball off to us, projects would get caught up in the normal process. We’re in the works of standing up a team that will specifically tailor their business processes and shepherd customers through that workflow to get permits out quickly. All these things together will hopefully reduce the overall time it takes for all projects to get through our building,” Espinoza says.
Moving forward, Espinoza is excited to see more customers take advantage of the program as the department learns and expands. “We understand this program is not a fix all. This must be a partnership where the city changes the way it does business, but the only way we can change and get better is by continuing to receive honest feedback and input. Listening to our customers is critical, and it’s something we’re really trying to change here at development services.”
