Council to Consider National Electrical Code Amendments Aug. 31 for November Adoption

The Austin City Council is scheduled to host a public hearing and consider adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code during its Aug. 31 meeting. These code updates include clarifications and additional requirements related to ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and surge protection. They also address physical access concerns, provide guidance for medium voltage installations, and eliminate redundancies. Proposed local amendments would help simplify and standardize code requirements for buildings in Austin. If approved, the amended code will go into effect in November. DSD gathered stakeholder feedback through July. Visit our our Public Input page to learn more.  

New Commercial Plumbing Service Line Permit

On Sept. 1, House Bill 2334 will take effect, and a new stand-alone plumbing permit called a “Commercial Plumbing Service Line Permit” will be available at the DSD Service Center. This permit will allow a non-licensed plumber to perform work consisting of installing, servicing, or repairing service mains or service lines that provide water, sewer, or storm drainage services on private property in an area that extends from a public right-of-way or public easement to not less than 5 feet from a building or structure. This permit will only pertain to commercial properties, and a Water/Wastewater inspection will be required by Austin Water.



Information, including how to apply, will be available on our website on Sept. 1.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Development Process

DSD is working with Archistar, a leading innovator in architectural artificial intelligence (AI), to test new technology that has the potential to transform building plan reviews in the future. The AI-based pre-submittal compliance tool is designed to compare building plans to specific Building and Land Development requirements. This step will empower customers to identify and correct issues before they submit plans for formal review. This pilot project will help to develop and evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of the product for Austin, which is the first city in the United States to partner with Archistar.  

New Austin Energy Green Building Ratings Now Available

A Message from Austin Energy

Updates to Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) 2023 Single Family and Multifamily ratings are now available. AEGB regularly revises its ratings to encourage excellence and innovation in design, and the new ratings take effect Oct. 1. Changes in green building technologies and techniques, as well as revisions to codes and the City of Austin goals, influence the updates. Development of the 2023 revisions also included public engagement from Feb. 20 through June 6. We appreciate your participation throughout the process. Visit Public Input to view the finalized rating documents and support documents for Single Family and Multifamily projects.

Web Forms Provide Best Option to Activate Approved Building and Trade Permits

If you are ready to activate a permit or update a trade permit, be sure to submit your request on the Activate an Approved Building or Related Trade Permit webpage for the fastest service. DSD handles requests submitted through this web form as a priority and will process them within one business day. Using this online service allows you to submit a request at any time and helps ensure your permit requests receive the dedicated time and attention they deserve to ensure accuracy. Online submittal during regular business hours also allows our chat agents to focus their attention on providing faster answers to customers who have general questions or need to update a registered trade license. This is another step DSD is taking to improve our service to you and ensure a seamless permit activation process. 

The Theme for Next Month is Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month, and DSD is already ahead of the game as we recently updated our webpage to provide more information about permits for emergency repairs. It breaks down eight common types of damage, provides an outline of safety precautions, and details the steps to take for obtaining a permit for the repair. Safety is our top priority, and the goal is for emergency repair work to begin at an affected home or business as quickly as possible following an approved permit. 

Additionally, the City is hosting the second annual Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair on Friday, Sept. 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Austin Community College Eastview Campus at 3101 Webberville Rd. During this free event, City experts and our partners will teach you how to make an emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and give tips on how to stay informed during an emergency.  

One Austin Survey: Help Shape Austin’s Future Resilience A Message from the Office of Resilience

Now is your chance to provide your thoughts on Austin’s future. The City of Austin’s Office of Resilience wants to know what resilience issues matter most to area residents. As part of the One Austin: Our Resilience Framework for Action, the One Austin Survey will gather information about your priorities related to housing, health, financial success, and climate change. Results of the anonymous survey will be incorporated into Austin’s comprehensive strategy to advance equity and resilience for all Austinites. The survey will remain open through September.

Application Open! $2.7 Million Available for Heritage Preservation

A Message from the Economic Development Department

The Heritage Preservation Grant seeks to preserve Austin’s history through grants for capital, planning, educational, and marketing projects at historically designated sites. Grant projects must engage new audiences, be history-informing, promote diverse stories, and attract tourism to historically designated sites. Keep Austin’s history alive and thriving by applying for the Heritage Preservation Grant by September 22. 

Full eligibility requirements and application details are available at austintexas.gov/heritage-preservation-grant.

Upcoming Dates

Labor Day Holiday (City Offices Closed) – Sept. 4 

Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Begins – Oct. 1 

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