Update on Transforming Site Plan Review Initiative



Transforming Site Plan Review, the citywide initiative to improve the site plan process is moving forward. This project is the result of a recent McKinsey and Company assessment, which highlighted more than 40 initiatives that will improve the site plan review process from start to finish.

Over the last month, all our cross-departmental initiative teams have worked on implementation plans, which outline specific activities, milestones, and timelines to complete their initiative. While these plans are still evolving, many teams have made significant progress on their initiatives. Multiple initiatives will be producing betas, MVPs (minimum viable product), or other deliverables in January.

The Transforming Site Plan Review project leadership team has reviewed all of the initiative charters and implementation plans, and we have added detailed information about each initiative to our project webpage today. We encourage you to submit feedback and ask questions on these pages, and we will add more information as the initiatives progress.



Service Center to Change Name in New Year

Many customers know the DSD Service Center provides a range of services, including a variety of permit services, contractor registration, and temporary certificates of occupancy. Beginning Jan. 5, DSD will provide these services under a new name: Building and Trade Contractor Services. The new name better describes how this team serves our customers. Over the coming weeks, customers will see a new URL on webpages and forms: austintexas.gov/dsd-btcs. If you have bookmarked the Service Center webpage or web forms for your permitting and other needs, be sure to update that information with the new URL (austintexas.gov/dsd-btcs). This team’s commitment to excellent customer service continues, and this name change will make it easier for you to find and access the help you need. 

Customer Experience Teams to Offer Wednesday Meetings and Chat Services  

Beginning in January, DSD customers will be able to access more support on Wednesdays. Intake teams and current Service Center staff will offer customer appointments and online chat services on Wednesdays. In 2022, these teams started reserving Wednesdays for existing requests and training. Those activities will move to Fridays, which are generally less active for customers. That means chat will be unavailable on Fridays, beginning in January. This is another step in our ongoing commitment to enhance customer service. Visit the “About” page on the DSD website for current information on chat hours and other services. 

HOME Amendments Adopted by City Council

On Dec. 7, the Austin City Council passed new code amendments for the first phase of the “Home Options for Middle-Income Empowerment” (HOME) Initiative. The approved code amendments are among a series of updates to the City’s Land Development Code (LDC). The goal of these changes is to provide more housing types and increase housing supply within single-family zoned areas of Austin. The Development Services Department is currently operationalizing the HOME amendments. Development applications related to these changes will be accepted beginning Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. 

DSD has created a webpage for information related to the HOME Initiative and it will be updated as more information is available.



New Web Form Now Available for Residential Express Permits

The addition of web forms in recent years simplified many DSD application processes. especially for residential building projects. To make that process even simpler, we have started separating those web forms for different types of residential permits. You can find the first of these web forms, along with a full list of qualified projects, on the Express Permits webpage (see “How to Apply”). In the coming months, we will introduce more dedicated webpages and web forms to make it easier to navigate permitting for all residential building projects. 

Updates to Parkland Dedication Fees

A Message from Parks and Recreation Department

The Austin City Council recently updated the parkland dedication fee schedule to comply with House Bill 1526, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in its 88th Legislative Session earlier this year. The bill includes formulas that set the fees and does not provide discretion to the City of Austin to change or alter the formulas or fees. 

New parkland dedication fees go into effect for all multifamily and hotel/motel site plan and subdivision applications filed on or after Jan. 1, 2024. The new fee schedule will not affect applications that are currently filed, nor applications for single-family subdivisions filed now or in 2024. For more detailed information on the new fees and how they are calculated, please read the Parks and Recreation Department's press release. 

Changes to Subdivision Review Process in Effect Jan. 1 

In the new year, DSD is making some process improvements to the subdivision process. These are the first in a series of changes to the Completeness Check Process to streamline and make it more straightforward. These changes include:

• Improved web forms for Completeness Check and Formal Reviews. 
• Improved and consolidated forms and supporting documents. 
• Improved overall Completeness Check review process. 
• New Completeness Check Certification Letter. 



A detailed explanation of these improvements is available in an email notification sent earlier this month. There will be opportunities to engage with our department related to these changes. Stay tuned for details on an upcoming informational session and thank you for your continued support as we work together to improve the development process. 

Residential Environmental Inspection Lunch & Learn on Jan. 4

Do you already have a residential building permit? The next step is understanding what goes into the Environmental Inspections process. Join our Environmental Compliance Supervisor, Amanda Wyrick, for a Lunch & Learn on Thursday, Jan. 4 covering the residential infill inspection process from start to finish. You will walk away knowing how inspections are scheduled, the details for each type of inspection, erosion controls, tree protection requirements, and the compliance process. Space is limited so register for a seat if you're interested in attending.

New LDC Newsletter Landing in Your Inbox Next Month

In January, the Planning Department is starting a new monthly newsletter about Land Development Code (LDC) updates. This newsletter will include updates on recent City Council action, future LDC amendments, in-depth information on amendments, and how to get involved. Sign up to receive it in your inbox at publicinput.com/LDCupdates. (Scroll down to "Sign Up for Updates".)

Upcoming Dates

City offices closed – Dec. 25-26

City offices closed – Jan. 1

Environmental Inspections Lunch and Learn – Jan. 4

City offices closed – Jan. 15



If you received this newsletter from a friend, we encourage you to subscribe to our email list. Whether it is severe weather, important department updates, or this newsletter, we will do our part to keep you updated all year long.