improvement to processing permits has been electronic submittal and review of plans for processing building permits which the City began implementing in 2022. As of 2025, all permit types are now submitted and reviewed electronically. Other factors contributing to improved review times in the past two years have been the filling of vacant positions in Engineering and most recently the addition of the Junior Planner position.
The following table reflects the volume of permits and reviews by division since 2022:
Division 2022 2023 2024
2025
(thru midAugust) Total
BUILDING 1,051 1,472 1,215 718 4,456
ENGINEERING 353 500 602 356 1,811
FIRE 310 462 406 267 1,445
PLANNING 1,160 1,487 1,178 652 4,477
Grand Total 2,874 3,921 3,401 1,993 12,189
Total # of Permits 822 940 674 304 2,740
Avg. # of Reviews
per Permit 3.50 4.17 5.05 6.56 4.45
Between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025, there were 2,740 building permit applications resulting in 12,189 reviews by the building, engineer, fire and planning divisions. This is an average of 4.45 reviews per permit. Note that the number of reviews reflects a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the type of permit, the complexity of project, and the responsiveness to corrections.
The goal for City Staff reviews is to return comments within 14 calendar days from when plans are submitted. The following table shows the average review time for building permits (calendar days) by division:
2022 2023 2024
2025 (thru
mid-August)
Division
Average of
TURNAROUND
TIME
Average of
TURNAROUND
TIME
Average of
TURNAROUND
TIME
Average of
TURNAROUND
TIME
Total Average of
TURNAROUND TIME
BUILDING 10.63 10.12 7.97 7.31 9.20
ENGINEERING 18.87 15.52 7.29 8.21 12.00
FIRE 11.91 17.68 8.80 10.10 12.54
PLANNING 11.63 8.94 9.04 5.76 9.18
Grand Total 12.76 11.90 9.13 7.98 10.69
While some divisions were averaging slightly longer review times than the City’s goal, there were some factors that contributed to the extended turnaround times (i.e. retirements, short staffing, training of new staff, and some late recording of results into September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
the permit system). When averaged across all departments, the average review time has been consistently improving over the past 3.5 years, most likely due to the electronic submittal and review of plans. Most notably in the past 1.5 years, the average reviews are taking much less time than the goal of 14 calendar days.
The average review time from application to plan approval is approximately 60 days, however, it is dependent upon the type of permit that is being processed. The following table shows the average turnaround time from permit application to plan approval by permit type:
PERMITTYPE
Average of TURNAROUND
TIME 2022-2025 (in days)
COMBO 29.8
COMM AND ALT 172.7
ELECTRICAL 25.3
MECHANICAL 14.9
NEW COMMERCIAL 161.5
NEW RESIDENTIAL 288.9
PLUMBING 5.3
POOL AND SPA 121.3
REROOF 2.0
RES ADD AND ALT 163.2
REVISION 52.3
SOLAR APP RES PV ROOF 6.0
WATER HEATER 1.3
Grand Total 59.1
As reflected in the table, the type of permits that take the shortest time to process are for water heaters, reroofing, plumbing and solar/PV applications. The more complex projects (new residential, residential additions and alterations, new commercial and commercial additions and alterations) take the longest to process ranging between 161 to 289 days.
The following table shows the average review time for new commercial and residential construction and tenant improvements by year:
September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
Row Labels
COMM ADD
AND ALT
NEW
COMMERCIAL
NEW
RESIDENTIAL
RES ADD AND
ALT
TOTAL
AVERAGE
BUILDING 15.4 17.9 15.5 13.9 14.6
2022 20.2 16.8 17.7 19.3 19.2
2023 19.0 15.5 18.2 17.3 17.8
2024 13.1 27.0 15.9 9.9 11.8
2025 11.2 10.9 9.8 10.4
ENGINEERING 10.0 18.5 14.6 10.7 11.4
2022 13.1 20.7 17.0 16.5 15.9
2023 17.1 20.0 21.8 12.0 15.3
2024 6.2 9.0 10.1 7.1 7.4
2025 6.1 9.8 8.3 8.2
FIRE 12.3 12.0 12.4 12.8 12.6
2022 13.5 9.0 11.5 10.8 11.4
2023 18.6 15.5 18.2 18.5 18.4
2024 8.7 14.0 9.9 8.1 8.7
2025 10.3 8.9 10.8 10.0
PLANNING 11.2 22.0 17.2 8.8 11.1
2022 14.9 35.3 22.7 10.8 13.6
2023 11.2 4.5 15.1 9.0 10.7
2024 12.8 17.0 19.9 9.3 12.4
2025 5.4 13.9 4.6 7.3
Grand Total 12.7 17.2 15.2 12.2 12.9
As would be expected, the more complex project require more time to review. The average review time for all divisions combined is below to goal of 14 days, with an average of 12.9 days per review over the past 3.5 years. The above table shows that there continues to be improvement for each division which may be attributed to the filling of vacant positions as well as addition of a few positions over the past 1-2 years within both the planning and engineering divisions.
The following table shows the volume of reviews by type by year:
DIVISION
COMM ADD
AND ALT
NEW
COMMERCIAL
NEW
COMMERCIAL
RES ADD AND
ALT TOTAL
BUILDING 343 7 309 893 1,552
2022 57 4 39 185 285
2023 88 2 96 254 440
2024 121 1 93 301 516
2025 77 81 153 311
ENGINEERING 309 6 297 819 1,431
2022 52 3 39 176 270
September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
DIVISION
COMM ADD
AND ALT NEW COMMERCIAL NEW COMMERCIAL
RES ADD AND
ALT TOTAL
2023 75 2 93 231 401
2024 117 1 88 273 479
2025 65 77 139 281
FIRE 305 6 293 628 1,232
2022 50 3 39 164 256
2023 78 2 91 220 391
2024 115 1 85 159 360
2025 62 78 85 225
PLANNING 273 6 269 733 1,281
2022 56 3 38 178 275
2023 75 2 87 240 404
2024 82 1 74 196 353
2025 60 70 119 249
Grand Total 1,469 27 1,392 3,768 6,656
During the 3.5-year period, approximately 55% of the reviews completed (6,656) were for the more complex types of projects, of which, approximately 57% of those reviews (3,768) were for residential additions and alterations. Overall, for these more complex projects, the average review time is less than 13 days per review. While the average review times for new commercial development exceeded the goal of 14 days per review, there were only 6 projects requiring 27 reviews, which was less than 0.5% of the total number of reviews completed during the last 3.5 years.
The City often receives feedback about the amount of time that it takes to obtain a building permit. This is not unusual, nor unique, in that it is likely that most jurisdictions receive similar feedback from those being served. There are areas that can be improved upon to reduce Staff review times and the City has implemented many measures that have resulted in average review times being reduced for each division year after year.
However, given that the average time to obtain a permit takes between 161 to 289 days for more complex projects, and the average turnaround time is approximately 12.9 days with approximately 4.45 reviews per project, there is a lot of time that the City has little, to no ability, to reduce. The following table is an estimate of how much time the City spends reviewing plans for complex projects versus the amount of time that an applicant spends responding to corrections and comments.
DESCRIPTION
CALENDAR
DAYS
Avg. Turnaround (New Res & Comm and Additions) 12.9
Avg. # of reviews (New Res & Comm and Additions) 4.45
Avg. days from application to approval 197
Total Days with City for Review 57
Total Days with Applicant 140
Avg. Days with Applicant to respond 40
September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
Based on above average review times by Staff, the average number of reviews and the average days between application submittal to plan approval, the City has the plans in review for approximately 29% of plan check process. The other 71% of the time the City is awaiting the applicants’ resubmittal of plans to address comments and corrections.
With that said, City Staff is committed to continuing to explore improved processes, procedures and services provided to the public which may also improve upon the response times from the applicants.
My Community Application
The My Community Application (App) is an important part of the City’s customer service program. The App was introduced in 2018, to give residents a quick and convenient way to report issues such as potholes, graffiti, streetlight outages, and other service needs.
Requests can be submitted from a phone or computer with a photo, description, and location. Each request is routed to City Staff for review, and residents receive an email when the request is received, and again when it is resolved. It allows residents to track requests and helps Staff identify trends for operations and maintenance needs within the City, and direct resources more effectively.
History and Use Trends (2018–2025)
Use of the My Community App has grown steadily, increasing from 33 requests in 2018 to 360 last year (2024). As of mid-August 2025, there have been 244 requests. The number of unique users has grown each year and confirms more residents are taking advantage of the App. On average, residents submit between two and four requests per year:
Year Requests Unique Users Requests per User
2018 33 8 4.1
2019 128 35 3.7
2020 102 42 2.4
2021 125 47 2.7
2022 204 61 3.3
2023 290 98 3.0
2024 360 123 2.9
2025 (YTD) 244 88 2.8
Requests by Category (2018–2025)
Through the App, residents can select from a list of issue types which helps ensure the request is sent directly to the right department for action. Since 2018, the most common request types are potholes, parking violations, streetlights, and graffiti. Together, these categories account for just over half of all requests. Smaller categories include vegetation, trash and debris, and stormwater issues:
Request Category Total Requests % of Total
Other 295 20%
Potholes 231 16%
September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
Request Category Total Requests % of Total
Parking Violations 230 15%
Street Lights 149 10%
Graffiti 145 10%
Overgrown Vegetation 98 7%
Traffic Signals 99 7%
Abandoned Vehicle 97 7%
Trash & Debris 69 5%
Dead Animal 29 2%
Stormwater Runoff 39 3%
Sewer Spill 4 <1%
Coastal Bluff Failure 1 <1%
Total: 1,486 100%
Average Response Time (2022–2025)
A major benefit of the App is that it allows the City to track the type of requests and how quickly they are resolved. The data shows steady improvement in response times since 2022. The average resolution time was three days in 2022 compared to two days in 2024 and 2025. Graffiti, potholes, and parking violations are resolved most quickly, while streetlights remain the longest due to the complexity of electrical work and reliance on contractors:
Average Response Time in Days
Category 2022 2023 2024 2025
Abandoned Vehicle 3 5 1 2
Dead Animal 4 – 2 1
Graffiti 5 3 3 1
Other 2 3 2 4
Overgrown Vegetation 3 2 3 1
Parking Violation 3 4 1 1
Potholes 2 1 2 2
Stormwater Runoff 7 5 1 2
Street Lights 8 6 6 5
Traffic Signals 3 1 3 3
Trash & Debris 2 1 1 1
Average (all): 3 3 2 2
Analysis of “Other” Requests (2018–2025)
One of the largest single categories has been “Other”. Between 2018 and 2025, residents submitted 295 requests in this category, about 20% of the total. Because “Other” was too broad, Staff reviewed each request and grouped them into more useful subcategories.
Providing additional categories for residents to choose from will improve tracking and allow residents to report issues more accurately in the future:
September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
Other Categories Requests Percent Description
Construction
Activities 61 21% Concerns about construction projects, noise, or contractor activity Streets Other 60 20%
Issues related to street sweeping,
intersections, signage, and traffic
calming
Parks/Beaches 27 9%
Requests regarding maintenance,
amenities, or conditions in City parks
and beaches
Air Quality/Noise 25 8% Concerns about odors, loud activities, and early-morning equipment use
Irrigation 18 6%
Issues with irrigation systems, water
use, or landscaping in medians and
public spaces
Miscellaneous/
Other 104 36% General issues not covered by other categories Total: 295 100%
Next Steps and Planned Improvements
Staff will continue to build on the progress of the My Community App by improving its accessibility and making the data more useful to improve operations. Planned steps for the next year include:
• Updating the Public Works webpage to make information easier to find. • Adding an online entry form on the City’s website.
• Promoting the App and web form in the City newsletter and other outreach materials.
• Incorporating the new “Other” subcategories into the reporting system. • Exploring the use of existing GIS mapping and analysis to review where requests are being generated. This will help Staff identify recurring issues in specific neighborhoods, explore possible causes, and prioritize proactive responses. • Continuing to track requests and response times to keep services responsive and efficient.
Staff will also strive to make further improvements to the building plan check and permitting process. Future steps may include, but are not limited to:
• Updating the Building webpage to include more information about the process and procedure for permitting.
• Further implementing the use of eTRAKiT that allows for the submittal of plans, payment of fees, scheduling of inspections, and finding status of permit reviews.
September 10, 2025
My Community App & Bldg. Permit Tracking Update
• Instituting a standard meeting protocol with applicants when building plans are unable to be approved after the 3rd review. This will hopefully result in fewer reviews to approve project plans.
• Filling the recently approved Building Official position. • Exploring project review types that may be eligible for expedited/“over the counter” review. Develop program and criteria for projects that could be eligible for such review.
CEQA COMPLIANCE STATEMENT:
This is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive staff report and presentation.
________________________
Alyssa Muto, City Manager
CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ AGENDA ITEM # C.2.
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SOLANA BEACH
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Alyssa Muto, City Manager
MEETING DATE: September 10, 2025
ORIGINATING DEPT: Engineering Department – Dan Goldberg, City Engineer SUBJECT: Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Redflex Traffic Systems for Red-Light Camera Enforcement
BACKGROUND:
The City of Solana Beach (City) is committed to maximizing traffic safety through the use of technology that enhances public safety and supports consistent enforcement of traffic laws. As part of this effort, the City operates an automated red-light camera enforcement program to deter red-light violations and reduce traffic collisions at three signalized intersections. The City has contracted with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. dba Vera Mobility Systems (Redflex) to provide red-light enforcement technology and equipment since 2004. In September 2017, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Redflex for five years, with the option to execute three additional one-year extensions.
This item is before the City Council to consider adopting Resolution 2025-103 (Attachment 1) approving a new Professional Services Agreement with Redflex for automated red-light camera enforcement.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s automated red-light camera enforcement program has been in continuous operation since 2004, and remains a component of the City’s traffic safety strategy. The program is designed to deter red-light violations, reduce collision risk, and enhance intersection safety. The program allows the City to monitor key intersections without requiring full-time deployment of Sheriff’s Office personnel.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, red light camera enforcement programs are associated with measurable reductions in red-light violations and broad safety benefits at signalized intersections. Red-light camera enforcement systems are authorized under California Vehicle Code and operate by capturing images of vehicles that enter an intersection after the signal has turned red. The evidence must meet legal September 10, 2025
PSA with Redflex for Automated Red-Light Camera Enforcement
requirements, including clear images of the license plate and violation timing, and all potential citations are reviewed and verified prior to issuance.
Program History and System Locations
The City Council first authorized implementation of automated red-light enforcement in 2003 by approving a Letter of Intent with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. dba Vera Mobility Systems (Redflex). Following a technical evaluation of intersection crash patterns and traffic volumes, three intersections were selected for enforcement that began in late 2004:
• Highway 101 and Lomas Santa Fe Drive (southbound)
• Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Solana Hills Drive (eastbound) • Solana Hills Drive and Lomas Santa Fe Drive (northbound) The current agreement with Redflex was approved by City Council on September 12, 2017, for a five-year term and has since been extended through all three one-year extensions. A new Professional Services Agreement is necessary to continue enforcement without interruption. The Sheriff’s Office concurs that the red-light camera enforcement system provides a significant public safety benefit and recommends continuation of the program under a new agreement with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. dba Vera Mobility, previously dba Vera Mobility Systems (Redflex).
Purchasing Method
Staff recommends the City continue contracting with Redflex under a sole source agreement due to the proprietary nature of the enforcement equipment, integration with court-approved citation processing systems, and the operational need to maintain continuity with the existing camera infrastructure not only within the City of Solana Beach, but also within the City of Del Mar, both of which are under the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement and traffic safety.
To evaluate options, Staff consulted with the City of Del Mar, which operates a similar red-light camera enforcement program and contract with Redflex. Del Mar cited similar operational needs and limitations regarding third-party system compatibility, hardware ownership, and legal continuity with the courts. No other cities within San Diego County have an operational red-light camera enforcement system.
The City’s purchasing ordinance, Section 3.08.130 of the Solana Beach Municipal Code, authorizes the City to contract for services if the services are unique because of the quality, durability, availability or fitness for a particular use, or if available from only one source. Based on regional coordination and operational assessment, continuing with Redflex aligns with best practices and avoids the up-front costs and disruption associated with replacing equipment and reestablishing legal protocols under new technology or data systems. Del Mar also uses Redflex, which means there are efficiencies for program support and administration since both cities contract with the Sheriff for services provided September 10, 2025
PSA with Redflex for Automated Red-Light Camera Enforcement
by the North Coastal station. The same staff has knowledge of the program’s fundamentals, including citation processing, technology, and coordination with Redflex.
CEQA COMPLIANCE STATEMENT:
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Fiscal Year 2025/26 Adopted Budget includes funding for this agreement in the Traffic Safety – Professional Services account: 1006540-65300. Under the proposed agreement, the City will pay Redflex a monthly fee of $2,705.29 per camera system, or $8,115.87 per month for the three systems, totaling $87,390.44 annually.
The monthly rate will be adjusted annually, historically in November, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the United States Department of Labor, All Items, Los Angeles-Long Beach Area.
There are sufficient funds available within the Traffic Safety – Professional Services Budget for FY 2026 & FY 2027 to cover this agreement, including CPI increases. No budget amendments are necessary.
WORK PLAN:
The proposed agreement aligns with the Work Plan priority of Transportation and Mobility by enhancing intersection safety and promoting safe driving behavior at key signalized locations. The red-light camera enforcement program supplements the City’s traffic infrastructure by reducing the risk of collisions and supporting safe and efficient roadway operations.
OPTIONS:
• Approve Staff recommendation.
• Approve Staff recommendation with alternative amendments/modifications. • Do not approve Staff recommendations.
CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council consider adoption of Resolution 2025-103:
1. Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement, for a term of five years with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. dba Vera Mobility for automated red-light camera enforcement. The City may, at its sole discretion, September 10, 2025
PSA with Redflex for Automated Red-Light Camera Enforcement
extend the Agreement for up to three additional one-year terms, for a total possible term not to exceed eight years.
_______________________
Alyssa Muto, City Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2025-103
RESOLUTION 2025-103
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOLANA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH REDFLEX
TRAFFIC SYSTEMS FOR RED LIGHT CAMERA
ENFORCEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Solana Beach is committed to maximizing traffic safety through the use of technology that enhances public safety and supports consistent enforcement of traffic laws. As part of this effort, the City operates an automated red light camera enforcement program to deter red-light violations and reduce traffic collisions at three signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, the City has been contracting with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. (Redflex) to provide red-light enforcement technology and equipment since 2004. In September 2017, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Redflex for five years, with the option to execute three additional one-year extensions; and
WHEREAS, per the terms of the PSA, after the initial five-year period, the agreement has been extended three additional one-year terms. Since all of the extensions identified in the agreement have been executed, a new agreement is necessary to keep the automated red light photo enforcement services; and WHEREAS, Staff recommend that the City continue contracting with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. under a sole source agreement due to the proprietary nature of the enforcement equipment, integration with court-approved citation processing systems, and the operational need to maintain continuity with the existing camera infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the City’s purchasing ordinance, Section 3.08.130 of the Solana Beach Municipal Code, authorizes the City to contract for services if the services are unique because of the quality, durability, availability or fitness for a particular use or if available from only one source. Based on regional coordination and operational assessment, continuing with Redflex aligns with best practices and avoids the significant cost and disruption associated with replacing hardware, retraining staff, and reestablishing legal protocols. In addition, the City already has the Redflex equipment installed and switching vendors would require significant up-front costs. Del Mar also uses Redflex, which means there are efficiencies for program support and administration since both cities contract with the Sheriff for services provided by the North Coastal station. The same staff has knowledge of the program’s fundamentals, including citation processing, technology, and coordination with Redflex; and
WHEREAS, the red-light enforcement cameras are located at the following intersection approaches:
Resolution 2025-103
PSA with Redflex for Automated Red-Light Camera Enforcement
1. Highway 101 and Lomas Santa Fe Drive, southbound;
2. Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Solana Hills Drive, eastbound;
3. Solana Hills Drive and Lomas Santa Fe Drive, northbound.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Solana Beach, California, does resolve as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Council authorizes the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement, for a term of five years with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. dba Vera Mobility for automated red-light camera enforcement. The City may, at its sole discretion, extend the Agreement for up to three additional one-year terms, for a total possible term not to exceed eight years.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of September 2025, at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Solana Beach, California by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers –
NOES: Councilmembers –
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers –
ABSENT: Councilmembers –
______________________________
LESA HEEBNER, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
_____________________________ _______________________________ JOHANNA N. CANLAS, City Attorney ANGELA IVEY, City Clerk