In this issue:
- Latest on BuildSA
- Legislative Session News
- Budget Process
- A Clean Project is a Safe Project
- Happy Pride Month
- One Stop is Open
- Performance Measures
- We Are Hiring
- Online Resources
- Contractor Connect Training
- City Holidays
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Uploading Documents to BuildSA
As a friendly reminder, please upload all inspection/engineer letters, as well as license registration documents, such as certificates of insurance to BuildSA. Please do not email these documents to Development Services as this can cause delays in processing your requests. BuildSA is set up with workflows to ensure appropriate staff are processing required documentation throughout the process. We’ve created the How to upload inspection letter or insurance guide to help you with uploading documents.
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Did you know?
Hansen Escrow Accounts cannot be used in BuildSA. To request the closure of your Hansen Escrow Account, please complete this form and submit via email for a refund. Forms can be emailed to the DSD Hansen Team.
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As we quickly approach the September timeline to discontinue using Hansen, we wanted to remind everyone the following permitting system changes will take place effective July 1, 2021:
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All new permit activity will be discontinued in Hansen. Trade Permits needed to close out a building permit in Hansen will need to be requested in BuildSA.
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Existing building permits that will not be completed by September will be eligible to migrate to BuildSA. This will be a manual process and customers will be notified by staff when a project will be migrated to BuildSA.
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Permit extensions will not be granted beyond the September timeline. If an extension is needed, staff will evaluate and determine if the project will be eligible for migrating to BuildSA to complete the remainder of the work.
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Customers will be required to submit any expired Hansen applications/permits in BuildSA. An application/permit is considered expired if it hasn’t had any activity for over 180 days.
Our goal to transition to one integrated solution, where staff and customers have access to all property information, has been a long time coming. Utilizing one system where staff and customers can find property information helps make reviews comprehensive and efficient, which ultimately helps our staff provide an excellent level of customer service.
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With BuildSA, permitting, platting, zoning and code information is shared among our partnering agencies, CPS Energy, SAWS, Bexar County, Metro Health, Office of Historic Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Fire Marshal and across our divisions, Plan Review, Land Development and Field Services, helping to modernize how we do business and ensuring faster and more accurate delivery of services. Rest assured we continue to work to implement fixes / enhancements and will continue this effort for as long as it is needed.
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The 87th Texas Legislative Session ended on May 31, 2021. Development Services Department tracked over 100 bills with potential impact to the department and the development community. During the legislative cycle, DSD worked alongside the City’s Government and Public Affairs Department, stakeholders, partners, and staff to protect the department’s ability to serve the community. Several bills passed, including:
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HB 636 (Plumbing Board): Effective Immediately, the extension of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners - this was a major priority for the Department heading into the session.
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HB 1474 (Historic): Effective 9/1/2021, alters the process for the designation of a historic landmark or district.
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HB 1475 (BOA): Effective 9/1/2021, added criteria that the Board of Adjustment may consider when determining if a variance should be improved, including the cost of adhering to the code, the existing nonconforming status of the structure, and potential impacts on adjacent property should the code be met.
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SB 291 (Developers must post signs): Effective 9/1/2021, requires that the name and contact information of the developer, as well as a brief project description, be provided shortly after construction starts for commercial projects.
Governor Abbott scheduled the special session to begin 7/8/21; Development Services will continue to monitor for potential impacts.
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The City of San Antonio continues to work on the Budget process. To have a say, please take the FY 2022 Budget Survey. The budget affects every San Antonian. Tell us what services matter most to you.
Budget schedule highlights include:
- May – June - Community input
- June 16 –Trial Budget Presentation
- June 25 – Goal Setting Session
- Aug. 12 – Budget Proposal
- August to September – Council and Community Input
- Sep. 16 – FY 2022 Budget Adoption
For the complete FY 2022 Budget schedule, visit the Budget website.
Once adopted, the FY 2022 city budget will run Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022.
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A Clean Project is a Safe Project |
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While construction projects can get messy, safety remains a top priority at Development Services.
A clean job site, along with the surrounding streets and grounds, are critical to maintaining a safe environment. As such, developers and contractors are encouraged to keep the construction sites clean to help avoid hazards and vehicle damage.
Understanding that building materials, dust, and tools are needed to get the job done, these items together can contribute to accidents. To help alleviate potential threats, please consider sweeping the floors and removing debris throughout the project to keep the area clean.
If the outside area or streets are impacted, be sure to perform a sweep after the project is completed and before re-opening the area and streets to the public.
These simple steps will help minimize accidents, including bodily injury and vehicle damage (flat tires), and keep neighboring residents happy.
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One Stop Resumes Pre-Pandemic Operations |
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In line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, DSD operates at 100% occupancy and resumed pre-pandemic operations on June 14, 2021. As such, masks and social distancing are now optional for fully vaccinated staff and customers. Fully vaccinated includes the 2-week waiting period after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna and 1-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination(s) have been administered.
All customers are encouraged to use the BuildSA online portal for plan submissions and permit applications. For customers who need to visit us, before coming to the building, please join the line using CityPass (powered by Qless).
Virtual boards and commissions meetings will continue as-is until further notice.
Additional safety measures will remain in place including new plexiglass barriers, hand sanitizer stations, and counter signage to assist with directional flow.
We appreciate your support as we continue to work hard to minimize the spread. The health and safety of our staff, customers, and visitors remain our top priority.
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Performance Measures
The complete Performance Measures report is available online.
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DSD is Hiring - Join Our Team |
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The latest Information Bulletins (IB) are posted below:
IB 546 was revised to include a request made by the military regarding notification emails and to update contact information for city staff, military and applicable agencies.
This IB was revised to reflect that the agreement was renewed on May 11, 2021 and is in effect through May 11, 2024. Additionally, the city and Port San Antonio contacts were updated to reflect current information.
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For a complete list of additional online resources,
visit the following sites:
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Register Today for Contractor Connect Training |
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Homebuilder and Home Improvement, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing contractors are encouraged to register for the upcoming Contractor Connect classes to help meet the criteria of Contractor Plus and Premier categories. The free Webex training sessions run from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Please sign up in advance by selecting the training of choice and completing the registration link next to the date below:
For more information about the program, visit the Contractor Connect website.
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Contractor Search Tool
For residents, Contractor Connect also provides an enhanced search tool that generates a list of registered contractors to choose from.
The list is compiled based on the type of work (home improvement, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc.) needed for the project, along with the category-level of Registered, Registered Plus, or Premier.
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DSD will be closed on Monday, July 5, in observance of the 4th of July holiday. Happy Independence Day! |
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