2025 Key Actions Taken
Training
Continued monthly Community Development Department “First Friday” trainings focused on communication, teamwork, and City values.
All Community Development staff completed DiSC assessments and participated in department-wide and division-specific communication training.
Division managers attended three full-day, in-person RGS Leadership Academy training courses focused on public sector leadership, accountability, and performance management.
Five Community Development staff completed the Sustainovation training program emphasizing team effectiveness, mission, values, productivity, and accountability.
Six of seven Current Planning staff attended the American Planning Association (APA) Conference.
All Permit Services plan checkers, inspectors, supervisors, and the Building Official completed training on the 2025 California Building Standards.
All Permit Services Plan Checkers obtained International Code Council (ICC) Residential Plans Examiner certification.
Permit Services Plan Checker training initiated to develop an in-house ADU plan review team.
Staffing
Added one full-time Permit Clerk and filled two additional Permit Clerk vacancies to support customer service and simple permit processing.
Added one full-time Permit Technician and filled two Permit Technician vacancies to support building permit intake and processing.
Filled one Building Combination Inspector I and one Building Combination Inspector II vacancy.
Permit Services filled a new Management Analyst position to support process improvement, data analysis, reporting, budgeting, and permitting technology.
Filled the Supervising Plan Checker position after a two-year vacancy through internal promotion.
Filled two Plan Checker I positions with a commitment to train staff to higher certification levels.
Permit Services maintained contracts with five plan review consultants to manage workload and commercial plan review needs.
Current Planning added and filled one Senior Planner.
Current Planning added and filled an Associate Planner position.
Current Planning filled an Administrative Aide vacancy.
Current Planning began recruitment for a Management Analyst.
Code Enforcement filled two full-time admin vacancies for Administrative Analyst and Administrative Clerk.
Code Enforcement filled two full-time Code Enforcement Officer I vacancies.
Workflow
Established and refined permit policies, procedures, and checklists to align with new legislation and improve customer guidance.
Shifted more permit activity online, resulting in reduced front counter demand and increased use of email communication.
Began monthly coordination meetings between plan checkers and inspectors to identify recurring issues and develop consistent solutions.
Created and implemented visual inspection guides to help homeowners better understand inspection types and sequencing, particularly for ADUs.
Initiated development of an in-house ADU plan review team to reduce reliance on consultants and improve customer experience.
Continued updates to Trakit and the Paperless Permit Portal and evaluated additional technology solutions to improve efficiency.
Leveraged consultants to manage large-scale projects (including Amazon) without impacting permit processing timelines.
Advanced implementation of Municipal Resource Group (MRG) recommendations through operational changes and the Values in Action framework.
Legislation
Adopted the 2025 California Building Standards (effective January 1, 2026).
Developed and implemented processes to comply with new state laws impacting permit processing, including:
AB 42 – Tiny homes and temporary sleeping cabins
AB 306 – Freeze on local residential code amendments
AB 1132 – Solar energy system permit fees
AB 1332 – ADU preapproved plans (process developed for 2026 implementation) AB 1738 – EV charging stations in existing buildings
AB 253 – Residential Private Permitting Review Act
SB 379 – Solar Access Act (process developed for 2026 implementation) AB 2579 – Exterior Elevated Elements inspection updates Continued the Comprehensive Zoning Code Update (ZCU) to streamline entitlement processes, simplify regulations, and improve clarity for applicants and staff. Phase One of the zoning code has been initiated to address amendments to the current Zoning Code and bring it into compliance with State Housing Law prior to completion of the General Plan Update. Opportunities for streamlining and clarification will be considered to eliminate the need to wait for the full comprehensive update. Completion of Phase One is anticipated by mid-2026.