Introducing Permit Review Lanes
Published on August 24, 2023
Planning and Development Services (PDSD) has significantly enhanced the permit review process, resulting in faster review times for specific permit types. The department has adjusted target review times according to the scale of the project, streamlining the turnaround time for smaller projects.
- Express Lane provides same-day service for tasks like solar applications (originating from the SolarApp), residential electrical and plumbing projects, and electrical reconnections.
- Fast Lane has a 15-day review target, covers tasks such as residential model homes, commercial trade projects, special inspections, and building official appeals. The Fast Lane will expand to include additional permits like those for manufactured homes, residential and commercial fences, demolition, pool construction, and pool demolition.
- Standard Lane has a 30-day review goal and covers tasks such as residential and commercial alterations, new building permits, and non-SolarApp solar installations.
- Complex Lane involves projects requiring approval for city zoning changes, special districts, and extensive development plans. This lane may have a dedicated project manager assigned. The timetable for review on this lane depends on the project's scale.
Timeframes are specific to each review cycle and depend on the quality of the initial submission and also only on permits that are not in special districts, historic districts, or floodplains. Express Lane permits, excluding those in special categories, will be reviewed, approved, and invoiced on the same day, with issuance contingent on fee payment.
Certain permit types, like tenant improvements, are still under assessment, and their classification between lanes may change in the future based on application criteria.
A complete application, including a site plan, is vital for remaining in the Fast Lane. Correctly selecting the application type during submission and including the required ROC (Record of Compliance) in TDC (Tucson Development Center) Online is crucial.
While PDSD is targeting Labor Day to meet these timetables, the department has already succeeded in both the Express and Fast Lanes during staff implementation. PDSD will continue to make improvements to the Review Lanes based on feedback from staff and customers, ensuring the ability to meet these new efficiency goals.