DBI launches preplanned check intake to speed permit review; early pilot shows quick returns

Deputy Director Neville Pereira reported on DBI’s recently implemented preplanned check intake process, which places experienced plan-check engineers at initial intake to screen new submissions, assign a level-of-effort tier and identify missing documentation before formal plan review.

Pereira said the July implementation logged about 41 projects in the pilot; roughly one-third were returned for incomplete materials. Most submissions were Tier 2 (estimated 2–4 hours of review). The stated goal is quick early screening—"our review time is anticipated in around 10 to 15 minutes for each project"—and a turnaround to applicants within 24–48 hours for intake feedback.

DBI said it will identify the most common intake errors and publish guidance, fold existing backlogged projects into a general queue with priority handling for projects delayed longest, and produce weekly trend reports showing backlog reductions. The commission praised the approach and requested regular reporting on results and common errors to help applicants submit complete sets.