Update on Transforming Site Plan Review Initiative



We remain focused on improvements to the site plan review process through our work on the Transforming Site Plan Review portfolio of initiatives. Over the last few weeks, representatives from each partner department attended a series of workshops focused on remapping the site plan process end-to-end and learning key principles for building a culture of continuous improvement. 

In the coming weeks, each department will host internal workshops focused on refinements to their specific portions of the site plan process and clearly identify roles and responsibilities, all of which will culminate in a set of staff recommendations for an updated site plan process. Additionally, the interdepartmental initiative team completed work on Initiative #28: Cadenced inter- and intra-departmental meetings to discuss ongoing applications. This first meeting of the COA Site Plan Review Roundtable was held at the beginning of March and will continue to meet monthly.  

• Over the next several weeks, we will be working to launch a wave of changes aimed at strengthening the overall site plan process, including: 
• Training to align employees across departments on a unified mission and new customer service standards  
• Expanded case manager role to ensure cross-departmental coordination, beginning with affordable housing developments 
• Formalized and streamlined completeness check, comment resolution protocols, and a digitized signature process to increase speed and efficiency 
• Piloted improvements to the Master Comment Report format and a new approach to rolling draft comments 
• Revamped KPI dashboard for site plan review process across departments 
• Creation of regular cross-departmental meetings to focus on continuous improvement of the site plan review process 
• Launch of a Land Development Academy training program to provide more in-depth education to City staff and stakeholders about the site plan review process 

As we continue on this journey, we are energized by the improvements we have already made and looking forward to sharing with you the next phase of our transformation. If you have any questions or comments about this project, please contact DSDCommunications@austintexas.gov.  

DSD Operational Changes for Total Eclipse 

On Monday, April 8, DSD will shift in-person services at the Permitting and Development Center to virtual services. The building will be open, but all appointments will be virtual. This single-day operational change is intended to minimize disruption to our customers and their projects while acknowledging the large influx of eclipse activity expected in Central Texas. All inspections will continue as planned. For more information about scheduling a virtual appointment, visit our PDC Appointments webpage.   

Individuals who have already scheduled an in-person appointment on April 8 are encouraged to contact the staff member you are meeting with to reschedule or transition the meeting to Teams. Any walk-in customers in need of DSD’s consultation services on April 8 will be provided those services virtually.  

The City has published tips to safely enjoy the eclipse and is offering guidance to individuals about how to prepare for the significant number of visitors expected in Central Texas for the event on this Ready Central Texas page.  

If you have questions or need assistance, please email DSDCommuncations@austintexas.gov.  

Two 2024 Technical Code Amendments Open for Feedback, Webinar Planned for April 9

Proposed 2024 amendments for technical building codes in use by the City of Austin will be in review during April and May. Information about the code amendment process, including how to participate, is available on the project webpage.  

Two amended codes, the International Building and Swimming Pool, are now available for review and feedback. The Development Services Department will host a webinar at 11:30 a.m. on April 9, to discuss 2024 updates to these two codes. Webinar space is limited, so please register early. Online feedback will be accepted through April 19.

The City updates its code requirements as needed to align with the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Local amendments focus on simplifying codes, reducing duplication, ensuring codes support City and State requirements, and maintaining a favorable insurance rating within the city. DSD, Austin Energy, and Austin Fire plan to share proposed amendments to the International Residential, Property Maintenance, Energy Conservation, Fire, and Wildland-Urban Interface codes, as well as the Uniform Mechanical and Plumbing codes, later this spring. The Austin City Council will review the 2024 codes and any needed local amendments prior to adoption later this year.  

Inspector Training to Impact Some Residential Inspections through April  

Several DSD residential building inspectors will be attending mandatory training on March 25-29 and April 9-11, 2024, to support their continued certification requirements. As a result, some residential inspections could be delayed by one or two days through mid-April. If you have questions, please contact your inspector or email building.inspections@austintexas.gov. Thank you for your patience as our City inspectors continue to build their knowledge and skills. 

Your Feedback Needed for Upcoming Engagements in May

The DSD Community Engagement team will host two stakeholder engagement meetings in May and June. One engagement will cover Site and Subdivision Plan Review and Inspections, and the other will focus on Building Plan Review and Inspections. In order to build our engagements around the topics most important to our stakeholders, the team is requesting recommendations on potential topics. Please visit our PublicInput webpage by April 8 to submit your ideas.

Stakeholder Review Invited for Draft Equity-Based Preservation Plan Open House on March 28

A Message from the Planning Department

The Planning Department is asking for feedback on the draft Equity-Based Preservation Plan. The plan aims to help us learn from our past to shape a future for everyone, and we want to hear from Austinites to make sure it reflects community priorities. 

People who own and work with historic buildings are especially invited to a Nuts & Bolts Open House on March 28, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Baker School (3908 Avenue B). Attendees can give feedback on draft recommendations that could impact historic properties and processes. 

If you’re not able to attend the March 28 Open House, add your voice anytime. Visit PublicInput.com/ATXpresplan by May 31 to review the draft plan and share what matters to you

New Review Tool Available Soon for Expedited Review

On April 1, DSD will roll out an electronic plan review tool called ProjectDox (by Avolve Software) to Residential Expedited Building Plan Review customers. This cloud-based software simplifies, streamlines, and improves your review process, and is already in use for Expedited Commercial Review. We are planning on expanding its use to more workgroups, so stay tuned for more information. If you are a Residential Expedited Review customer, please contact your coordinator for more information about using ProjectDox. Read more about the ProjectDox software on Avolve’s website. 

Upcoming Dates

Residential Environmental Inspections Lunch & Learn – April 3

Total Eclipse (In-Person PDC Appointments Canceled) – April 8

Technical Code Adoption Webinar – April 9

Tree Smart Brown Bag Lunch & Learn – April 17



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