The city of Riverside is looking to significantly speed up the building permit process with a new pilot program that would allow architects and engineers to self certify their plans.
“This is an opportunity where it can be a win-win situation,” Councilmember Jim Perry said at the September 16 meeting. “One of the biggest complaints we get is that it takes forever for people to get their permits and this is an opportunity to cut through some of the bureaucracy.”
The Riverside City Council unanimously voted to approve a six-month pilot for the Building Plan Self-Certification Program at that meeting. As part of the program, developers would be able to submit plans online for a limited range of residential and commercial improvement projects, like interior remodels or outdoor structural additions, and receive a permit within days.
Oscar Mancillas, the city’s building official, said that it currently takes staff at least a month to certify permits for similar projects, which doesn’t include other potential bureaucratic delays which could add months to the timeline. The new program, he told the council, would allow staff to focus on other city projects while creating a friendlier business environment.
“However, like any other program, there are potential downsides,” he told the council at the meeting. “There may be an increased risk for code violations and safety concerns due to the lack of technical plan review. If violations occur, it could lead to increased construction costs and delays.”
Stay up to date with the latest from The Record. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter today!
In an attempt to minimize errors, the program would only allow permit applications from California-licensed architects and engineers with at least five years of relevant design experience. The application would also be pre-screened by staff to ensure the project qualifies for the self-certification program. Applicants would also need to provide the city with liability insurance and a letter stating that the city would not be held responsible for legal claims related to the project, and all construction projects would still be subject to inspection.
“We’ll review the processes, the applications, the qualifications of the licensed-assigned professionals that apply,” Mancillas said at the meeting. “We’re going to pull out the microscope when it comes to who is able to get into the program.”
The pilot program is set to launch following final council approval, which is expected to happen at the October 21 meeting. According to Mancillas, his team is almost finished with developing the training required for staff and finalizing the new procedures for the program.
“By mid-December, the city should be ready to roll it out,” Mancillas told The Riverside Record by email. “If it works as intended, we will present a recommendation for its permanent adoption and possible expansion.”
The Riverside Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet providing Riverside County with high-quality journalism free of charge. We’re able to do this because of the generous donations of supporters like you!