The Riverside County Building and Safety Department recently issued a notice regarding upcoming code changes. Earlier this year, the California Building and Standards Commission adopted and approved the 2010 California Building Codes and Standards which includes a number of changes effecting electrical, mechanical, plumbing and green building standards among others. The code changes become effective January 1, 2011.
By L.C. Linden
PublicCEO.com
July 21, 2010
Contending with a still-sluggish economy, local governments in Western Riverside County have renewed measures to energize the construction industry though the reduction of development impact fees.
By knocking down the financial barriers to growth, they are enticing builders to return to their cities.
"It has had a stimulative effect, without a doubt," said Scott Mann, councilman of Menifee, which has reduced its development impact fees by 65 percent.
In May, the cities of Menifee and Perris extended their permit fee reductions for another year, starting July 1, after seeing positive results since first lowering the costs in 2009.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
By City of Banning Mayor, BOB BOTTS
Economic recovery in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is largely determined by home sales and new home construction.
The latest figures from California's Employment Development Department reveal that unemployment rates in Riverside County have declined from 14.2 percent to 13.9 percent. As job opportunities increase, the need for commercial and residential development is evident.
As mayor of Banning, I have a responsibility to look beyond "business as usual" public policy and identify opportunities to make a real difference in our community. Accordingly, reducing development impact fees is a top priority, as it stimulates our local economy.
We are pleased to report some news from our Desert Region. Yesterday afternoon the La Quinta City Council voted 5-0 to NOT impose a $3,238 (SFD) DIF increase. The increase had been approved back in October 2008 but not implemented. La Quinta will continue collecting its residential DIF at the current rate until January 1, 2011. The Council clearly felt that a fee increase in the current economic environment was not appropriate.
On June 29th the Perris City Council voted 5 – 0 to extend for another year the 50% Development Impact Fee Reduction. The reduction will impact new residential, commercial and industrial development and stay in place for fiscal year 2010/2011.
By Andrew Taylor
Associated Press
06/16/2010
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday approved a plan to give homebuyers an extra three months to finish qualifying for federal tax incentives that boosted home sales this spring.
The House just passed on a suspension vote (non-controversial items) a stand-alone bill that would extend the closing date for the home buyer tax credit through September 30, 2010. The bill passed by a vote of 409-5. Tallies of the No votes are not yet available. This is an extension from the current deadline of June 30, 2010. You will recall that the Senate passed a similar amendment as part of its debate on the tax extenders package last week. That Senate vote shows us that there is broad support in the Senate for the idea of extending the deadline.
With the House passage of this stand-alone bill (H.R. 5623), we expect that the Senate will take up HR 5623 on Wednesday to consider it for passage prior to their adjourning for the Senate’s Thursday memorial for Senator Robert Byrd, who passed away on Sunday.
Right Price Calling
June 5, 2010
By LESLIE BERKMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Houses in post-real estate crash generation are smaller, simpler, priced to compete better against foreclosed houses and those that owners are selling at a loss.
Prompted by a stabilizing market and dwindling supply of homes to sell, home builders this year are starting a larger number of new projects in Inland Southern California with ready-to-build lots purchased in foreclosure or pulled out of mothballs.
In the first quarter nine new projects opened in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, compared to five in the first quarter of 2009, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.
