From the Orange County Newsroom
In Summary:
Orange County’s PEDS Department has introduced a five-year Strategic Management Plan to improve efficiency, communication, accountability, and innovation across its seven divisions. With nearly 600 employees, the department plays a crucial role in permitting, environmental protection, housing, and neighborhood support, and the new plan outlines key strategies to tackle growth, protect natural resources, and address housing challenges.
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Whether it’s issuing permits for fences and pools, helping small businesses get started, or protecting our waterways and wildlife corridors, Orange County’s Planning, Environmental, and Development Services (PEDS) Department plays a vital role in residents’ daily lives.
Now, residents and businesses who rely on these services can expect to see some positive changes ahead.
Related: Orange County’s commitment to public safety delivers record results and major upgrades.
PEDS has launched its first-ever department-wide Strategic Management Plan — a five-year roadmap focused on improving services, streamlining processes, raising staff accountability, and enhancing communication to serve the community better.
The plan underscores the Department’s commitment to meeting the challenges of Orange County’s rapid growth while continuing to deliver core services, including addressing the affordable housing crisis, protecting the natural environment, infusing innovation into the permitting process, and strengthening neighborhoods.
“Orange County is growing rapidly, with more complex challenges and service demands,” said PEDS Director Tanya Wilson, AICP. “With that growth comes the responsibility for our department to explore new ways to plan, protect and manage the County’s resources while serving the public with professionalism, dignity and respect.”
The PEDS Department includes nearly 600 employees across seven divisions: Planning, Zoning, Building Safety, Fiscal & Operational Support, Environmental Protection, Housing & Community Development, and Neighborhood Services.
This plan represents a shared vision across the Department’s seven divisions, reflecting the collective voices of our staff, elected officials, stakeholders, businesses and residents, Wilson said.
The Strategic Management Plan identifies five key focus areas to guide the Department through 2030:
Relationship Building – Strengthening partnerships across divisions and with community stakeholders.
- Establish a stakeholder advisory group.
- Enhance small business support
- Strengthen community partnerships
Process Improvement – Streamlining and standardizing departmental processes for greater efficiency.
- Conduct process audits
- Enhance digital workflow systems for field enforcement
- Examine organizational structure for operational efficiency
Talent Acquisition, Management & Retention – Attracting, developing, and retaining a high-performing workforce.
- Develop a comprehensive recruitment strategy
- Enhance employee engagement and retention
Innovation & Technology – Leveraging digital transformation, AI tools, and data analytics to improve service delivery.
- Develop a comprehensive digital transformation strategy
- Implement advanced data analytics and AI
- Enhance Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 3D modeling capabilities
- Foster a culture of innovation
- Promote innovative, sustainable development practices in development review
Communication – Enhancing internal and external communication to promote transparency and trust.
- Develop a comprehensive communication plan
- Enhance digital communication channels
- Enhance public education and outreach
- Provide better language support to our diverse population
“This plan serves as our roadmap for the next five years,” Wilson said. “It establishes clear priorities for how we grow as a team and as a community—by strengthening relationships, investing in our workforce, and leveraging technology to deliver smarter, faster, and more transparent services to the public.”
Read the PEDS Strategic Management Plan (2025–2030) in its entirety.
Key Points:
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The PEDS Department unveiled its first department-wide Strategic Management Plan, outlining priorities through 2030.
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The plan focuses on five major areas: relationship building, process improvement, talent acquisition and retention, innovation and technology, and communication.
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Key initiatives include establishing a stakeholder advisory group, enhancing digital workflows, implementing AI tools, improving GIS capabilities, and strengthening public outreach.
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The department’s nearly 600 employees play essential roles in zoning, permitting, environmental protection, housing programs, and neighborhood services.
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Director Tanya Wilson emphasizes that the plan will help PEDS keep pace with rapid growth while improving transparency, customer service, and operational efficiency.
