To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Board of Supervisors
Meeting Date: October 7, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Williams |
Phone: |
707-937-3500 |
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Norvell |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff to Work with the Board of Supervisors to Develop a Proposal Based on the Concept of Creating an Optional Alternative Pathway to Expedite Building Permits and Inspections
(Sponsors: Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Norvell)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Direct staff to work with the Board of Supervisors on developing a proposal based on the concept of creating an optional expedited pathway for building permits and inspections and return to the Board with draft language for consideration.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
Mendocino County faces an urgent need to improve the speed and cost-efficiency of housing and building development. Delays caused by regulatory processes and limited staff capacity have slowed even straightforward projects, increased costs and contributing to housing shortages.
The concept for consideration is to establish a voluntary, parallel track to the current permitting and inspection process, allowing applicants to elect a streamlined option. This pathway would rely on licensed professionals to attest to code compliance, with the County serving in an oversight role rather than performing every step in-house.
This concept does not replace existing processes, nor does it waive environmental or coastal requirements. Instead, it provides an additional option to reduce bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and save time and money for both applicants and the County.
Policy merits of pursuing this concept include:
● Housing Supply: Removing non-substantive bottlenecks to increase housing production.
● Efficiency: Allowing County staff to focus resources on complex cases or applicants needing additional support.
● Cost Neutrality: Shifting costs to applicants who choose the expedited option, while relieving taxpayer burden.
● Precedent: Other California counties have already adopted comparable models through ordinance or policy:
○ Marin County Code §19.04.032 authorizes third-party plan check and inspections by licensed engineers/architects, with corresponding fee reductions.
○ Placer County’s Pioneer Program (Building Services, adopted by Board policy) uses private code consultants to perform plan review and inspections in lieu of County staff for large projects.
○ Sonoma County Policy BPC-013 establishes a Third-Party Plan Check (TPPC) program using approved outside plan check firms.
○ Nevada County’s Third-Party Plan Review Program (Building Department, Administrative Policy) allows applicants to hire approved firms to conduct plan compliance review in place of County examiners.
These examples demonstrate that California counties are already implementing parallel, voluntary permit tracks that leverage licensed professionals while retaining government oversight.
Pursuing this concept would align Mendocino County with proven models, the state’s policy direction to streamline housing approvals, and the Board’s Strategic Plan priority of building a prepared and resilient county.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: Existing General Fund |
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current f/y cost: Budgeted |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): Yes |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Executive Office
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Direction Given to Staff |
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Date: October 7, 2025 |
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