Planning and Development Services Dept. opens express counter

The San Diego County Department of Planning and Development Services opened an express counter Monday that it expects will reduce wait times for people trying to get permits for small-scale residential projects.

Before the county opened the Quick Business Counter, customers who had
business that could be handled speedily waited in the same lines as applicants
processing larger or more complicated work that required more time to complete,
such as getting permits to build a house or commercial building.

County officials hope the new counter should cut wait times for both groups.

“This new Quick Business Counter will make it easier for all of our customers,” said Mark Wardlaw, director of Planning and Development Services. “We help people process thousands of building permits every year, and we're always looking for ways to improve our systems.”

County building permit counters are open for business from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays.