To our customers, stakeholders and community,
As you know, effective March 25, 2020, Mayor Adler ordered non-essential business and operations to cease. The Order included exemptions for specific types of construction activities. The
Supplemental Guidance for the Construction Industry
provides clarification on the Order and how it is to be applied to construction work.
In accordance with the guidance document, the City of Austin has developed an
administrative process
for approving the continuation of construction activities that meet the criteria given in the Order. Under this process a project can be designated as an essential activity, critical infrastructure, essential business or affordable housing project. Projects of these types will be allowed to continue operations during the term of the Mayor's Order.
The process calls for the formation of a committee to review and approve requests for designation as an essential construction project. This committee is composed of the Director of the Development Services Department, the City’s Building Official and representatives from Law, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, Austin Code Department, Austin Fire Department, Public Works Department and Economic Development Department.
The committee will meet to review requests and determine if the referenced project meets criteria for exemption from the order to cease operation. If the project is designated essential, operations may continue. A letter will be sent to the project owner and should be displayed on site. The information will be shared across City departments and will be available for reference by inspectors and other City staff. Approved projects must comply with social distancing requirements and follow the safety measures indicated in the Order. If the project is designated as non-essential, operations must cease. The committee will notify the project owner and provide time for the project to be safely shut down. Should operations continue after the date determined by the committee, enforcement actions may be taken.
The determinations made by the committee are final; no appeals process is established.
To submit a request for designation as an essential construction activity, please
complete the form
located
on our website here
.
The committee may request additional information in order to make a determination. Project owners will receive a written response from the committee.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work to adapt our processes to comply with local government orders, federal guidelines and advice from public health officials.
Sincerely,
Director Lucas
