Streamlining the Permitting Process for Housing

Housing for All is focused on changing how we approve and build housing. That means broad changes to our zoning and approval process, but also streamlining our permitting process. A first and major step is to improve our site permit process. https://t.co/9ulSGgm7ie

— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 14, 2023

Right now, our current site permit process triggers multiple rounds of project reviews and revisions which add time, are often redundant and conflicting, and are always expensive. City Departments have been drafting reforms to this process so we can get housing approved faster.

— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 14, 2023

The new proposed process will feature fewer administrative steps, consolidate plan review, and reduce the number of times an applicant is asked to revise a plan. All departments will review a project concurrently. This will dramatically reduce timelines by months and even years.

— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 14, 2023

To evaluate the potential impacts, the Permit Center analyzed already approved projects and found this proposal could have reduced approvals for:
- An apartment building from 4.25 years to 2.3 years;
- A condo development from 2.5 years to 10 months;
- A warehouse by 9 months.

— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 14, 2023

These are real projects and this is real time and waste that can now be avoided. For next steps, I will soon be introducing legislation to change our site permit process. In April, @sfplanning and the @sfdbi will be holding public forum to discuss these changes.

— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 14, 2023