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Partnering with our community to build and maintain a safer San Antonio | Jan. 2018
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Development Services Department
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Mike Shannon,
PE,
CBO
Director
210.207.8259
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| Mobile Living Parks Chapter 18 Updates Approved |
With an update to the municipal code approved by City Council on Dec. 14, 2017, the Development Services Department (DSD) will now conduct proactive inspections for health and safety issues at approximately 100 mobile living parks in San Antonio.
The update to Chapter 18 of the Municipal Code - Mobile Living Parks seeks to prohibit significant code violations and health hazards in the future and keep these neighborhoods safe for residents.
Effective Jan. 29, 2018, the ordinance will apply to those already registered with the City through the Metropolitan Health Department (Metro Health). DSD and Metro Health will manage the enhanced inspection program with increased involvement from the Department of Human Services and the Office of the City Attorney. A streamlined application process will be implemented and mandatory training will be provided for park owners and operators.
Each mobile living park will be proactively inspected on a monthly and/or quarterly basis by a team comprised of multiple departments. Inspections will focus on ensuring density of mobile homes does not increase over time; electrical, sewer, and water connections are inspected regularly; and parks are in compliance with the San Antonio Property Maintenance Code. Despite the enhanced service provided, no fee changes are included in the ordinance.
Failure to comply will result in the suspension or revocation of licenses. Criminal and civil penalties may also be assessed; Class "C" misdemeanor violations will be taken to Municipal Court, where fines can reach up to $500 for each individual violation. Civil penalties for violations, which rise to the level of a common or public nuisance, may be liable to an injunctive lawsuit in state district court.
All living in San Antonio deserve a safe and healthy environment. This ordinance helps get us closer to achieving that goal.
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Homeowners - Did You Know?
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Spring is a peak time for home repairs.
Homeowners of a single-family residence may act as their own general contractor and hire building subcontractors when undertaking home projects. Often some "Do it Yourself" homeowners want to be actively engaged in their home improvement projects in order to cut general contracting cost, monitor quality assurance, and stay on top of any unexpected construction related surprises.
To help avoid unexpected surprises, homeowners are encouraged to follow these tips:
- When getting started, verify whether your project requires permitting. There are some construction and improvement exceptions that may not require permits - see the no permit required list for more information.
- If a contractor is required, look for a contractor who is registered with the City, using the online licensed contractor search tool.
- Home Improvement Contractors (Non-Structural) registered with the City may obtain certain permits on behalf of the homeowner. Openly discuss with your subcontractor who will be responsible for securing the appropriate building permits. It is a good practice to always ask for this clarification in a written contract.
- For your safety, you must use licensed trade contractors for new electrical, plumbing and/or HVAC project components.
- Be careful with contractors who offer to do work for you without securing building permits; professional contractors will always execute a contract and secure permits.
- Additional requirements may be needed for Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) or Historic District residents. For more information, visit the NCD or Historic Preservation websites. To find out if you are in a NCD district, contact Tyler Sorrells at 210.207.7395. To learn more about the Historic District, call 210.207.0035.
To keep the project moving forward, we also offer online services
for contractors and homeowners. Online Services allows you to get key construction information remotely such as permit status or finding a licensed contractor, among others.
Please visit our website for additional homeowner permitting questions, or call us at 210.207.1111.
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It's New and It's Free! DSD Academy's Energetic Start
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Developed to enhance the partnership with our community, DSD Academy is comprised of a series of informative sessions for residents. Since last September, DSD Academy has covered Zoning 101 - Basics, Zoning 102, Code Enforcement's top violations and a Homeowner's Guide to Permitting.
Meetings are held once a month, on Saturdays, in the Board Room, at the Development & Business Services Center, 1901 S. Alamo, 78204.
Upcoming topics include:
- Feb. 17 - Graffiti Program - How to volunteer, how to report it and services we provide.
- Mar. 17 - Zoning 101 (Zoning Basics). This session will be in conjunction with Neighborhood Housing Services' Neighborhood Leadership Academy.
- Apr. 21 - How and when to get permits for work in your home - A Homeowner's Guide to Permitting
There may be changes to this schedule, so check our
DSD Academy website
regularly, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Nextdoor.
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The following Information Bulletins (IBs) were recently reviewed and approved:
As a customer service improvement initiative, the Development Services Department (DSD) partnered with CPS Energy to create this IB to better inform our customers of process improvements that have been implemented to request the installation, relocation or removal of COSA streetlights.
IB 114 - Code Modification Request Procedures, posted Jan. 18, 2018
DSD and San Antonio Fire Department revised IB 114 for code modification request procedures. This bulletin has been updated to indicate the types of submittal documents accepted.
DSD created this revised bulletin to add the requirement for submittal of information in the form of a letter for buildings and/or spaces used to provide medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing, or similar care on less than 24-hour basis to individuals that are rendered incapable of self-preservation by the services provided, including dental and hemodialysis services.
Development Services is excited to share the department's first Annual Report, A Year in Review 2017. The report includes our accomplishments from FY 2017 and upcoming projects that are currently underway. Much thanks to our stakeholders, customers, and residents for your business.
For a complete list of resources, visit the following sites:
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Performance Measures - FY 2018
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The complete Performance Measures report is available
online
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Upcoming SARA Training and Funding Opportunities
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The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) would like to invite you to participate in the following training sessions and funding opportunity.
Training Sessions
Low Impact Development (LID) Lessons Learned for Construction Contractors and Inspectors
This FREE workshop will cover basic construction and sequencing for
three common stormwater best management practices: bioretention, permeable pavement,
and cisterns. Breakfast provided.
Date: Feb. 13 (Tuesday)
Time: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
LID Construction Inspection Registration Course (1.5 day course)
SARA and Bexar County will cover key factors of LID BMP construction inspection for bioretention, permeable pavement, sand filters, rainwater collection, vegetated swales, filter strips, green roofs, and stormwater wetlands. The 1.5-day course includes an optional exam for a registration credential. More details are at
www.sara-tx.org.
Dates/Times: March 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
March 7, from 8 a.m. - noon
Note - all training will take place at 100 E. Guenther Street, San Antonio, TX 78204
Funding Opportunity
The deadline for Proposition 1 Edwards Program Funding Applications, 2018 Quarter 1, is
March 30, at 2 p.m.
Developers: This is your opportunity to receive funding to incorporate innovative stormwater features over the Edwards Recharge and/or Contributing Zone. For more information, see www.saprop1edwardsprojects.org .
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Other Department News
- New Hires, Recognition and more |
Congratulations to our DSD employees who received the following certifications:
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Deve
lopment & Business Services Center
Main Address:
1901 S. Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78204
Mailing Address:
PO Box 839966,
San Antonio, TX 78283
Office Hours:
7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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