Target approval and community processes that drive time and uncertainty. Focus on making pathways faster and more deterministic while maintaining safety and performance outcomes.
Builds on: A3 (permits/fees), A9 (financing/risk) · Leads to: A11 (synthesis) · Cross-series: P10 Assemblies & Transitions
P/A bridge: A pilot library of preapproved wall/window/foundation details could improve both performance and review speed.
By the numbers
Government regulation accounts for 23.8% of single-family and 40.6% of multifamily development cost. Building code changes alone are the #1 category at 6.1% SF / 11.1% MF. [NAHB 2021 / NMHC 2022]
A proposed 18-unit affordable building was delayed 10+ years by permitting - the per-unit cost went from $414,000 to over $1 million. [HUD 2021]
Manufactured housing uses a single national HUD code with a $100 label fee vs. thousands of dollars in site-built permitting and inspection fees - covering 5.5% of occupied units. [HUD 2021]
Core Concepts
Faster and clearer beats weaker standards. Propose reforms framed as outcome-preserving cycle-time reductions.
Pre-approval reduces risk and resubmittals. Identify where standard plans/details can shorten timelines.
Community process affects cost via uncertainty. Treat engagement and predictability as part of affordability strategy.
Cost Elements
Pre-development (B02) - Entitlement timeline and process uncertainty. Clear rules and timelines reduce risk premiums. "Parallel review" in name only doesn't shrink time.
AF: B02 - CRO-DURATION, CRO-FIN_PREDICTABILITY
Permits (B03) - Review workflow: parallel vs serial review, clarity of checklists, resubmittal rules. Hard-to-use reforms are effectively nonexistent.
AF: B03 - CRO-PREAPPROVAL, CRO-PERMIT_FEES
Usability Test for Reforms
Is it by-right or discretionary?
Are timelines time-bound?
Are requirements published and stable?
Do most applicants actually use it?
Is staff trained and supportive?
Named reform patterns that pass this test
Pre-approved plan set: municipality publishes pre-reviewed plans that skip plan review. Unlocks PREAPPROVAL + DURATION.
By-right ADU/missing-middle: qualifying projects get administrative approval with no discretionary hearing. Unlocks DENSITY + PREDICTABILITY.
Parallel concurrent review: all departments review simultaneously with a published time limit. Unlocks DURATION + PERMIT_FEES.
Barriers & Levers
CRO-PREDICTABILITY
DISCRETIONARY_REVIEW - Discretionary review and multiple approval bodies extend holding time. Planning, city council
SHIFTING_REQUIREMENTS - Unclear requirements cause redesign, delay, and holding cost. Planning dept.