In this issue:
- Latest on BuildSA
- New Plan Review Assistant Director
- Budget Process
- Partnering with St. Mary's University
- Masks, Social Distancing Now Optional
- NCD-10 Monte Vista Terrace
- Longer Wait Times for Inspections
- Performance Measures
- We Are Hiring
- Online Resources
- Contractor Connect Training
- City Holidays
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Keep in mind as we move away from Hansen:
- Applications and permits with no activity in 180 days or more will be expired. You will need to reapply in BuildSA.
- Hansen permit extensions will be on a case-by-case basis.
- Incomplete active permits in Hansen by Sept. 30, 2021 will be migrated to BuildSA.
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Development Services completed the last major BuildSA release on Nov. 30, 2020, and transitioned to an integrated e-business solution. The new integrated platform replaced multiple systems allowing for one point of entry for all land development, permitting, and code enforcement services. Improvements and updates will remain ongoing as we continue to evaluate customer and staff needs while remaining committed to improving the user’s overall experience.
Coming next is the full transition from Hansen (old permitting system) to BuildSA by Sept. 30, 2021. Until now, Hansen has remained available to facilitate closing hundreds of open or active permits.
This full transition to BuildSA will facilitate the process for issuing Certificate of Occupancy, Letter of Completion and CPS releases, using one system where all inspections are performed, and completed projects are easily identified.
Finally, we will be asking our customers for input on BuildSA training needs, whether group or one-on-one sessions. This effort has proven beneficial as we transition to BuildSA. For training requests please email us. For more information and latest training resources, visit our BuildSA page.
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Escrow Accounts
New escrow accounts will need to be opened in BuildSA. Hansen escrows did not transfer and cannot be used for fee payment in BuildSA. To close your escrow, please submit a refund application to DSD.
We are working with our Fiscal Team in identifying past due fees in Hansen to start notifying customers. Leaving unpaid fees in Hansen may impact your organization’s ability to get new permits in BuildSA.
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New Assistant Director, Crystal Gonzales, PE, CBO |
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The City of San Antonio (COSA) has started working on the annual budget process. The FY 2021 mid-year budget was adopted by City Council on May 20, 2021
DSD’s mid-year budget was readjusted to pre-COVID numbers (FY 2018/2019) because we were over budget in revenue and permit counts. Development activity, especially in residential construction, continues to be strong. With the hiring freeze over, DSD is currently hiring to help meet demand.
The FY 2022 budget process will go through the summer with City Council consideration scheduled for Sept. 16, 2021. For the complete FY 2020 Budget schedule, visit COSA's Budget website. |
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St. Mary's University Engineering Students Develop Unmanned Rover for Building Inspections |
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This past school year, we had the opportunity to partner with St. Mary’s University School of Engineering for the Senior Engineer Design Project program, where graduating engineering students must put theory into practice. Our team was comprised of Nicolas Fabbri, Benjamin Kibler, Robert Mendoza, and Scott Tudar, under the guidance of professors Dr. Juan Ocampo De Los Rios and Dr. Ben Abbot, and DSD’s Engineer Jeremy McDonald.
Multiple meetings were held to discuss needs and design. The end result was a successful rover prototype, with video capabilities, that can enter tunnels and dangerous properties remotely by using a DSD standard issued iPad. The rover is capable of measuring the size and pitch of a pipe for plumbing work in tunnels and also includes an aerial vehicle to assist with inspecting buildings that have limited access to a ground based vehicle. We hope to enhance this prototype as we continue our partnership with St. Mary’s University.
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Masks & Social Distancing Optional at the One Stop |
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In line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, 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.
DSD will continue to limit customers inside the lobby to 30 at a time through June 14. Though we are no longer doing health screenings or temperature checks, we will maintain security screenings for all visitors at the lobby entrance.
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All customers are encouraged to use the BuildSA online portal for plan submissions and permit applications; however, we understand there may be a need to visit us. Before coming the the One Stop, please use CityPass (powered by Qless) to join the queue and select the needed service. You will get a text notification alerting you to your place in line.
Plexiglass barriers, hand sanitizer stations, and counter signage to assist with wayfinding will remain in place.
Virtual boards and commissions meetings will continue as-is until further notice.
We appreciate your support as the health and safety of our staff, customers, and visitors remain a top priority. For more information regarding the City's response, please visit our website.
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NCD - 10 for Monte Vista Terrace Now Available |
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We are pleased to announce that a new Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) was approved on May 6, 2021 and the executed ordinance was finalized on May 17, 2021. It is NCD-10 for Monte Vista Terrace. The boundaries encompass: properties within approximately 55 acres generally bound by San Pedro Avenue and Railroad Tracks to the west, East and West Hildebrand Avenue to the south, McCullough Avenue to the east, and West Olmos Drive to the north.
An NCD designation means there is an added layer of design regulation for residential building development within the boundaries of Monte Vista Terrace. The zoning map will give the base zoning district and if they are within the NCD, it will be labeled NCD-10.
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Longer Times Anticipated for Inspections |
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San Antonio is experiencing a high demand for new residential construction and that, coupled with several vacancies in the inspections sections, last year’s hiring freeze and fewer tradesmen in the market, have resulted in longer turnarounds for inspections.
One of our top priorities is customer service to our clients, including timely inspections to keep projects moving. In recent months, we’ve been challenged in meeting our performance goals in electrical and plumbing inspections.
What are we doing to move the needle in the right direction? We opened several positions and are actively hiring candidates to join our team, we are working overtime (including Saturday mornings) to meet demand, and have readjusted staff with ICC Residential Building certification to conduct building inspections so our trade inspectors can focus on residential plumbing and electrical inspections.
Though we anticipate longer wait times will continue for a few more months, be assured we are working hard to provide the support you need to keep your projects on schedule. In the meantime, you can stay informed of the monthly performance metrics through various channels like the Development Insight newsletter and DSD’s performance website. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to your continued business.
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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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Check out our perks -
- 6 weeks paid parental leave
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salary PLUS up to $8.4K annually in certification pay
- low cost employee medical insurance
- 2:1 pension plan - vested in 5 years
- paid leave
- 13 paid holidays a year
- tuition reimbursement program
- family wellness leave
- annual leave
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The latest Rule Interpretation Determination (RID) is now posted:
Title: Clarification of Requirements for Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR)
Rule in Question: Appendix F, Section 35-F133 (c)(2) – Permit Evaluation
The intent of the RID is to provide clarification for customers and staff on the Public Works Department's interpretation of the Unified Development Code as it relates to the enforcement and business processes associated with CLOMR.
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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 in observance of the following holidays: |
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Observed Monday, May 31, 2021 |
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Observed Friday, June 18, 2021 |
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