Development Project Managers (DPMs) function as the team leads in providing DSD’s project management services, helping keep reviews timely, predictable, and coordinated. DPMs help bring projects to a decision point to get the project to completion, whether the project requires a staff decision or one made at a public hearing.

DPMs are professional experts (many with architecture, engineering, or related degrees and experience) in the City’s major land development processes – permitting, land use entitlements, public improvements, and inspection. They facilitate the applicant and City staff working together as a team to ensure projects are processed in a coordinated and timely manner, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. DPMs coordinate project schedule components and facilitate communication between the review team and applicants. They can also help the applicant engage in issue resolution at any point in the review process. Their efforts promote efficiency, transparency, and predictability. The following describes the specific services a DPM can provide, including: 

1. Accepting your application and performing the setup for your project in our digital permitting system, helping ensure it is complete and ready for review;
2. Serving as your single point of contact - someone who will communicate with you throughout the process and to whom you can reach out for assistance;
3. Connecting you with appropriate City staff to answer your questions and help you understand City requirements;
4. Providing a clear "roadmap" of required reviews and processes;
5. Highlighting significant issues and assisting in resolving conflicts;
6. Developing and monitoring the project schedule;
7. Working to achieve timely and predictable reviews to keep your project on track;
8. Scheduling your project for a hearing, if one is required;
9. Issuing the permit at the end of the process; and
10. Providing “close-out” or inspection phase guidance. 

There is a spectrum of intensity for project management services. The level of attention a DPM will devote to a project depends in part on the type of project. Some complex projects warrant frequent, detailed coordination efforts and one-on-one support, with the DPM guiding the applicant through every step. Less complex projects can proceed successfully with less frequent alignment and oversight. In such cases, the DPM can serve on an as-needed basis, available to the applicant to step in and resolve an issue, answer a question, set up a meeting, or provide other forms of support. The degree of intensity may also depend on the project’s status at a particular time. A DPM may be more active at certain stages of a project’s review (for example, if the applicant needs assistance to get through permit issuance tasks quickly to meet a funding deadline). It is important for the applicant and the DPM to discuss and agree upon the level of service expected. 

Project Management Services - Discretionary

A ministerial permit, also known as a “by right” permit, is granted based upon a determination that the proposed project complies with established standards and criteria set forth by law. These determinations are arrived at objectively by the DSD Director, City Engineer, or his/her designees. A ministerial permit does not include discretionary review, i.e., it is not open to personal interpretation or preference. Additionally, such projects do not require environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or public hearings.

A DPM may be assigned to complex ministerial permit projects that include certain types of Building Permits, Grading Permits, Right-of-Way Permits and Mapping actions, or when an applicant requests a customized review or approval process, including under the following programs:

1. Affordable Housing Permit Now is for 100% affordable multiple-dwelling unit projects and emergency shelters that propose to create new units and shelter opportunities.  

2. Complete Communities Now is open to projects using the “Complete Communities: Housing Solutions” program to provide housing, including affordable housing, near transit. 

3. Life Science Industry Accelerator provides dedicated resources and information to help the life science industry expand and succeed in San Diego. 

4. Small Business and Restaurant Express provides dedicated resources and information to help qualified small businesses and restaurants citywide recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic and support economic recovery.

5. Factory Built Housing. 

6. Projects requiring the Tall Building Peer Review Process.
7. Partial Permits and Phased Projects.
8. City Capital Improvements Program Projects and certain outside government agency projects.
9. Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program.
10. Wireless Communication Facilities.

Please note: Participation in some, but not all, of these programs may require an applicant to utilize the Express Plan Check Service, which is an option available to certain projects for faster permitting at an additional cost.

DPM: Keeping Your Project Review Timely, Predictable and Cost-effective
The DPM is one of the key features of the City of San  Diego's development review processing system. Not an advocate for your project, but someone you can always contact to find out your review's progress, to ensure disputes between codes and regulations are settled, and to keep your project on a predictable review schedule. Up-front in the project review, the DPM will give you a "road map" of all the reviews you'll need and will stay engaged through the process to ensure your project gets to a decision point, public hearing, or permit action.