The Home Builder

THE HOME BUILDER

Page Two

August 2022

Permit Times, Codes and Educating the Decision Makers After a successful time in Washing-

David Lehde Director of Government Affairs

needed as Development Services transi- tions the platform from city servers to the new ProjectDox 9.2 cloud version. The system will be back online Monday, Aug. 8. An update from the city indicates that DEV staff are prepared to receive and review paper submissions during that time. Dallas BA is monitoring cities in the region as departments consider up- dating their building codes to adopt the 2021 I-codes, including the Internation- al Residential Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, and others. The cities of Frisco and Celina have already informed that they are in the drafting process and Dallas BA will offer review. Both hope to have their adoption completed by fall. Like other cities, Celina and Frisco plan to take advan- tage of the benefit of including the regional amendment recommendations that are produced by the North Central Texas Council of Governments Re- gional Codes Coordinating Committee (RCCC). Dallas BA is a voting member of the RCCC and, along with other stake- holders, worked to provide amendments that help the codes focus on health and safety, while working to avoid needless requirements and cost increases. The cities of Plano and Denton recently completed their process and made use of the RCCC recommenda- tions as well. Much like we do at the local level, Dallas BA continues to take advantage of opportunities to help educate federal decision makers on the benefits of let - ting builders do what they do; drive better building science through market choices. This was the case when Dallas BA Past President Matt Mitchell gave a presentation on structurally insulated panel construction at an annual energy

ton, D.C., earlier this summer, advocat- ing to members of Congress on Ameri- can housing needs, Dallas BA continued its regulatory focus here at home. After meeting with the new City of Dallas Chief Building Official earlier this year, a team from Dallas BA met again with city leadership in late July to both hear the plan the CBO has to get efficiency back into the permitting process, and to ensure city leadership has a firm understanding of the negative impacts that are coming from permit delays. The team from Dallas BA detailed how builders are still facing delays up- wards of seven months. They explained how houses that were previously con- structed in acceptable time frames were facing schedules outwards to a year. At a time when material costs are already a nightmare, the additional car- rying costs from permit delays are add- ing greatly to the cost to build a home. Supply chain issues are one thing, but when a delay comes right in the start of the process, it makes it that much worse. Ultimately, it impacts the consumer. Dallas BA expressed the need to be proactive on stuck projects, including developing a process to address those projects that have been in the queue for 12 weeks or more, and figure out why they are delayed. In addition, the Association stresses the importance of focusing on ways to simplify the process and make it consistent. The CBO expressed his agreement with the need to alleviate the hurdles facing builders, including finding a more customized process for how projects of different scopes are handled for review. With the update to the city’s per - mitting platform, the Development Services Department hosted two vir- tual demonstrations of ProjectDox 9.2, on July 12 and 13, to provide the public with an introduction to the new software. The experience provided a step-by-step walk-through from the ap- plicant’s point of view. The webinars were helpful, as 95 stakeholders participated to get a first look at the new enhancements. Addi- tional training dates are scheduled for Aug. 13, 20, 27 and Sept. 10. These classes will be held in-person. Develop- ment Services has sent out the notice for registration. Builders in Dallas should also be aware of the scheduled four-day permit- ting system outage that is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Aug. 4. The time is

efficiency summit held by U.S. Con - gressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) on July 16. Over the years, many members of Dallas BA have presented at the summit and educated both decision makers, and the public who elects them, about energy efficiency in modern home construction. The ability to have a seat at the table and help educate elected officials about how regulation impacts the residential construction and development sector is a significant tool in the advocacy box for the Association. With recent municipal elections and the upcoming November general and municipal elections, it is important for our industry to communicate with those who may be elected in November to write and vote on regulations that impact your bottom line. So, mark Aug. 31 on your calendar as a fun opportunity to help in that process. The HOMEPAC Shootout will be presented by BGE on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the famed Elm Fork Shooting Sports facility in Dallas. Benefiting HOMEPAC of Greater Dallas, the event provides a fun oppor- tunity to support Association advocacy and enjoy a morning in the outdoors. Participant entry is $150 per shooter, which includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages. You can also register a team of 4 for $600. Shooters must provide their own ammunition (20 or 12 gauge), as well as eye and ear protection. Partnerships are still available. Members can inquire about registration and partner information can be found under the August calendar listing on DallasBuilders.org or by contacting the Director of Government Affairs at David. Lehde@DallasBuilders.com.

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Dallas BA Past President Matt Mitchell presents at the 2022 Energy Efficiency Summit hosted by U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess.

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