Builders Express Frustration with Dallas Permitting Process, Demand Improvement
Several Dallas BA builder members participated in a Jan. 31 special called meeting of the City of Dallas Government Performance and Financial Management Committee focusing on long-overdue improvements to the city’s permitting process. The meeting began with an update from Executive in Residence Will Mundinger who provided an overview of the current situation and the challenges with staffing and technology. Mr. Mundinger, who was tasked by the city late last year to fix this long-standing problem, stated that builders should expect to wait 6-8 week for a permit now, but added that should improve in the coming weeks.
Builders’ patience is wearing thin. Many bemoaned the excessive cost of delays, the lack of intuitive systems and unresponsive staff. “Just a simple process like inputting the new water account information that used to take 10 minutes now is taking two weeks,” said Dallas BA Past President Jeff Dworkin. “The seven weeks I waited cost my small construction company more than $8,000.”
“Nearly every day for the last two years, I have heard from builders and residents who are stuck,” said Dallas BA Executive Officer, Phil Crone. “We have been managing them with staff one at a time, but fixing the problem involves aligning the people, process and policy once and for all. Of all the major problems facing our city, this should be the easiest one to solve.”
Despite challenges with the city’s online permitting system, called ProjectDox, builders are strongly encouraged to submit plans themselves. “I’m finding several cases where builders hire a third party to submit their permit and that entity drops the ball,” added Crone. “If you do it yourself, you can check on the status of your permit and any requests for revisions on your own without relying on someone else.”
A complete recording of the meeting including all testimony and Mr. Mundinger’s presentation can be found at this link. Builders with projects beyond the city’s published timelines are encouraged to contact the Dallas BA for help.