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Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024
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Commentary: Permit Runaround Stifles Business and Other Pursuits

In order for America’s Finest City to become the World’s Most Innovative City, San Diego city government must lead by example. We must take a fresh look at everything city government does and put a new set of eyes on old problems to find innovative solutions.

Over the last few months, I’ve met with hundreds of innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators who agree: To retain and expand new economy job-generating companies, the City of San Diego must change a number of its business practices. And step one is the first place a new business goes before hiring people: getting the permits necessary to open a business.

In today’s world you can do almost everything online: Register your car, get a mortgage for your home, trade stocks, buy just about anything from anywhere in the world, and communicate with anyone anywhere in the world. But, for some reason, in the City of San Diego you can’t apply to open a new business online.

A biotech company attempting to set up in San Diego would likely have to file an application with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Growth Services (Location: 202 C St.), the Fire Department (Second Avenue), a Technical Services/Hazmat application and submit to their inspections, CEDMAT permits and inspections, Knox Box Installation inspections (Second Avenue), Special Survey inspections, Neighborhood Code Compliance (1222 First Ave., fifth floor), Police Department (1400 E St.) and pay a Fire Company Inspection Program fee, Alarm Permit fees and Noise Permit fees.

In a New York Minute

There has to be a better way to do business. We can see examples of more innovative cities. New York City uses a “Business Wizard” that allows any user to answer a few simple questions about the business they would like to start and, within minutes, the website generates a link to every necessary permit for that venture.

We can do better than New York. If elected mayor, I’ll usher in a new innovative age at City Hall that will begin with, but not be limited to, the way we help new businesses start. San Diego’s site will be available online and by mobile device. It will go above and beyond New York’s example and streamline and simplify the process.

Simplifying the permit process will not compromise safeguards that protect the public health, safety and welfare. Legitimate businesses are fully prepared to meet the city’s planning, environmental and safety standards. What these businesses cannot accommodate are endless delays and bureaucratic run-arounds.

But it isn’t just starting a new business. Special events, business expansion and even a minor home remodel all create jobs. They also require permits from the city. A resident who wants to have a wedding at a city park must file permits with the Park and Recreation Department, San Diego Police Department and Fire Department, obtain an Alcohol Use Permit, file with Development Services, obtain a Building Permit (if you put up a large tent), Electrical Permit (if you have a generator), get a Park Use Permit, a Public Assembly Permit (for the tent) and a Tent, Canopy and Membrane Structure Permit.

Take a Lesson From the Private Sector

Getting married in a city park shouldn’t be this hard. The permitting system is outdated, confusing, inefficient, duplicative and costly. It discourages business from starting and growing in the city, confounds homeowners undertaking even the most minor projects, and discourages large events from occurring in the city.

I envision a permit process that is as easy as filing your taxes can be when you use user-friendly software like Intuit Inc.’s TurboTax. Intuit has taken a process that used to be a frustrating, complex maze of government forms, and turned it into an easy, user-friendly experience. Now, millions of Americans are able to quickly and easily file their taxes. I want to make it quick and easy for residents and business owners to file permits.

New business permits are the first stop on the road to new jobs. Let’s make it easy and online. Other permits are often a citizen’s only interaction with their city. Let’s use technology to make this interaction easy, fast and efficient.

I am running for mayor because I believe it is time for a new generation of leadership to move San Diego into a new era. I believe we have a bright future if we seize it. It is time to look at every facet of city government and modernize it. Streamlining things like city permitting will lay the foundation for a prosperous, dynamic future.

Candidates for elected office may submit editorial commentary to the San Diego Business Journal. However, we do not guarantee the publication of unsolicited editorial commentaries. The San Diego Business Journal does not endorse candidates for elected office.

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