Update on Building Permit Turnaround Times

As many of you know, in this competitive job market, our entire industry is experiencing a challenge in recruiting and retaining skilled building staff. Permit Sonoma currently has a 40 percent temporary shortage in staff members that review building permits. Our department closely monitors our permit turnaround times and makes this information publicly available through our online performance dashboard.

In September, due to staff vacancies, the permit processing time for building permits increased, exceeding our 6 week turnaround goal for first review and comments for these permit applications. I know this delay impacts your business as our customer. I am taking steps immediately to address this issue. Staff are working rapidly to recruit and train new plan check staff and contract with external vendors to supplement our in-house plan check services. I will report on the progress of this approach as circumstances warrant.

I thank you for your patience as we work to improve our service to our community. Please contact me with your concerns and ideas.

Tennis Wick, AICP
Director
Permit Sonoma