TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Board of Supervisors
MEETING DATE: October 7, 2025
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Williams
PHONE:
707-937-3500
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Norvell
PHONE:
707-463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
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 Coun...
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