Inspectional Services recommended process and staffing changes intended to reduce permit lead times and improve customer service and won committee approval for its FY26 budget.

Commissioner Ciccarello (Inspectional Services) and Deputy Director Tyra described a pilot that routes large residential projects through a zoning review earlier in the permitting sequence so engineering and zoning reviews can proceed in parallel rather than serially. The department reported a pilot permit issued about three weeks earlier than under the old workflow.

Staff also proposed adding two part‑time mechanical inspectors (seasonal/backup) to compensate for frequent coverage gaps when inspectors take vacations, medical leave or family leave. Ciccarello said the short-term hires would reduce inspection backlogs: “...what we're planning on doing is giving each a part time employee to fill in the voids whenever somebody's up,” he said, describing the practical need for coverage during absences.

The department reviewed recent state building‑code and energy‑code changes that affect floodplain elevations, retaining-wall standards and electrification rules. Ciccarello said inspectors receive ongoing training and that the state recently adjusted energy-code requirements to ease certain compliance burdens for existing homes.

Staff also explained operational issues that can lead to a “make safe” inspection — when work proceeds beyond a permit or a site left with exposed wiring, uncapped plumbing or gas lines — and said homeowners and contractors must obtain a permit and licensed trades to resolve such conditions.

Councilors raised ADU questions: commissioners said that when an accessory dwelling unit converts a property to a third dwelling unit, sprinkler and fire-rating requirements can apply (for example, fire separation between dwelling units and possible sprinklering for certain configurations and for detached ADUs beyond specified setbacks). The ISD presentation emphasized that whether sprinklers are required depends on the code-defined conditions, distance from structures and the unit configuration.

Committee discussion touched on larger development timelines and the need to continue coordinating NewGov user experiences and public outreach. Officers said an ESS (electrical storage systems) workflow integration with the fire department should be online by summer.

The committee took a straw vote to approve the Inspectional Services proposed FY26 budget of $2,283,342; the motion passed 8–0.

Ending: staff said they will continue training inspectors on code changes, pilot concurrent-review approaches, expand NewGov usability and return to council with any material changes.