Your national rollout is on a tight schedule, but a single permit delay in Austin can throw the entire timeline off course. It’s not just about submitting plans; it’s about understanding a unique system with its own rules, portals, and reviewer expectations. This is where projects get stuck in endless correction cycles. This guide breaks down the City of Austin commercial plan review process, step-by-step. We’ll show you how to prepare a clean submission, choose the right review path for your project’s scope, and avoid the common mistakes that lead to costly delays and push back opening dates.
Key Takeaways
- Get your submission right the first time: A complete and accurate application, with the required site plan approval already secured, is your best defense against the correction cycles that stall projects.
- Choose the right review path for your project: Austin offers faster options like Quick Turn-Around (QT) reviews for smaller jobs and Expedited sessions for complex ones. Matching your project to the right path is a key strategy for a faster approval.
- Stay proactive after you submit: Use the city’s online portal to track your application, communicate directly with reviewers to resolve questions quickly, and know when to bring in a permit partner to keep your project moving forward.
How Austin’s Commercial Plan Review Works
Getting a commercial project off the ground in Austin means understanding how the city reviews your plans. It’s a multi-step process involving several departments, each with its own timelines and requirements. Knowing who looks at your plans and what to expect can make a huge difference in keeping your project on schedule and your opening date predictable. Let’s break down the key parts of Austin’s commercial plan review so you can prepare a submission that gets through the first time.
Who Reviews Your Plans?
The main group you’ll work with is the City of Austin’s Commercial Building Plan Review Division. They are the central hub for checking plans for new buildings, remodels, and changes of use. However, they aren’t the only ones with a say. Your plans will also be routed to other departments for their specific approval. For instance, the Fire Department reviews for safety compliance, while Austin Water checks utility connections. If you’re opening a restaurant or grocery store, the Austin Public Health Department will also need to sign off. A complete submission package needs to satisfy all of them to move forward without delays.
What to Expect for Timelines and Costs
Knowing the city’s target timelines helps you build a realistic project schedule. Austin publishes standard review times that give you a baseline for planning. For a standard new construction project, expect a 25-business-day review. If it’s under 25,000 square feet, that shortens to 15 business days—the same target for most remodels. The city also offers faster options for smaller scopes. Keep in mind these are initial review targets. If your plans require corrections, you’ll need to factor in time for resubmission and another review cycle. Costs will vary based on your project’s scope, which we’ll cover later in the fee schedule section.
Which Projects Need a Formal Review?
The short answer is: almost all of them. A permit is required for most commercial construction, demolition, or alteration projects in Austin. This applies whether you’re building a new store from the ground up, renovating an existing space, or making significant structural changes for a rebrand. While there are some exceptions for very minor repairs, these are rare for commercial rollouts and don’t exempt you from following building codes. For any multi-site brand planning a new location or an equipment upgrade program, it’s safe to assume your project will need a formal plan review. Planning for this from day one is the best way to avoid unexpected delays.
Get Your Submission Package Right
The single biggest factor you can control to prevent permit delays is the quality of your submission package. A clean, complete, and accurate application is your best defense against endless correction cycles and timeline slips. When you’re managing a multi-site rollout, even a small error can have a ripple effect, pushing back opening dates and revenue. The city reviewers in Austin are looking for a package that clearly demonstrates compliance with all local codes and regulations. If information is missing, drawings are unclear, or documents are out of order, your project immediately goes to the bottom of the pile with a list of comments.
Taking the time to perform rigorous quality control before you submit is not just best practice; it’s a strategic move. It shows the city you’re a professional partner and respects their time, which can go a long way in building a good working relationship. Think of your submission package as the foundation of your project’s timeline. A solid foundation means a smooth process, while a shaky one guarantees you’ll be dealing with costly and frustrating setbacks. The following steps will help you build a submission-ready application that sails through the review process.
Your Complete Document Checklist
Before you even think about submitting, you need to have every single required document in hand. A common mistake is submitting an incomplete package, which is an automatic trigger for rejection or a lengthy delay. For instance, the City of Austin is clear that “You usually need an approved Site Plan or Site Plan Exemption before applying for a building permit.” This means your site plan isn’t just another document; it’s a prerequisite. Your internal checklist should include architectural and structural drawings, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) plans, energy code compliance forms, and any required environmental or drainage reports. Having a complete package ready from day one is the first step to a faster commercial plan review.
How to Submit Your Plans Digitally
Austin has streamlined its process to make submissions more efficient, which is great news for teams managing projects from different locations. The city allows you to “submit your building permit applications, revisions, and updates online using the Commercial Building Permit Web Form.” This portal is also where you can upload large project files, keeping everything organized in one digital location. Using the online system correctly is key. Ensure your files are named according to the city’s conventions and that all documents are legible and properly formatted. A clean digital submission makes it easier for reviewers to access and assess your plans, which helps keep your project moving forward without unnecessary friction.
Meeting Site Plan Requirements
Your site plan is one of the most scrutinized documents in your package, so it needs to be perfect. According to Travis County, a site plan is “a detailed drawing of your project, [that] must be sealed by a licensed Texas engineer and show things like how the land will be graded, information about drainage, and all the new things you plan to build.” These aren’t just suggestions; they are firm requirements. An incomplete or inaccurate site plan is a frequent source of comments and corrections. Double-check that your plan clearly addresses all zoning, environmental, and utility requirements before you submit. Getting your commercial site plan right the first time saves weeks of back-and-forth with the city.
Understanding the Fee Schedule
Budgeting for permit fees is a critical part of project planning. In Austin, these costs are straightforward, but you need to account for them early. Beyond the standard application fees, the city offers a Preliminary Plan Review (PPR) service. While there’s a fee for this optional review, it can be a smart investment. The PPR allows you to “meet with reviewers early on to discuss your design and code questions before you submit your main plans.” This proactive step helps you identify and resolve potential red flags before they become official correction comments, saving you significant time and money in the long run. Think of it as a small upfront cost to ensure a more predictable and faster formal review process.
Choose Your Review Path
Navigating the City of Austin’s permitting process isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. The city offers several distinct review paths, and choosing the right one for your project is a critical first step toward a predictable timeline. Instead of defaulting to a single process for every new build, tenant improvement, or remodel, you can strategically select the lane that best fits your project’s scope, complexity, and urgency. This decision can be the difference between a smooth approval and getting stuck in a cycle of comments and corrections that puts your opening date at risk.
Think of it as choosing the right tool for the job. A minor interior refresh doesn’t need the same level of scrutiny as a ground-up construction project, and Austin’s system reflects that. By understanding the nuances of the Standard Review, a Preliminary Plan Review, the Quick Turn-Around option, and Concurrent Reviews, you can align your submission strategy with the city’s own workflows. This proactive approach helps you set realistic timelines, manage stakeholder expectations, and ultimately, get your doors open on schedule. For teams managing national rollouts, mastering these local options is key to building a repeatable, efficient process that pulls revenue forward.
The Standard Review Process
This is the comprehensive, primary path for most commercial projects in Austin. The Standard Review Process is designed for new buildings, significant remodels, projects that change a building’s use, and any revisions to existing permits. If your project involves major structural, electrical, or mechanical changes, this is likely the route you’ll take. The City of Austin’s Commercial Building Plan Review Division will conduct a thorough check of your plans to ensure they meet all applicable codes and regulations. While it’s the most detailed review, it’s also the most appropriate for ensuring complex projects are safe and compliant from the start, providing a solid foundation for construction.
Getting a Preliminary Plan Review (PPR)
A Preliminary Plan Review (PPR) is your opportunity to get ahead of potential issues. This optional meeting allows you to sit down with city reviewers early in the design phase to discuss code interpretations and specific questions about your project before you formally submit your plans. It’s an invaluable tool for complex or unique projects where you anticipate gray areas in the code. Yes, there’s a fee for this service, but consider it an investment. Identifying and resolving a major design issue at this stage is far less costly and time-consuming than addressing it after a formal rejection, helping you avoid common submission errors that lead to delays.
When to Use Quick Turn-Around Reviews
For smaller, straightforward projects, the Quick Turn-Around (QT) Review is your express lane. This path is ideal for jobs with a limited scope, like minor interior remodels or simple equipment upgrades that don’t involve changing the building’s use or footprint. In many cases, these reviews can be completed on the same day you submit your application. For multi-site brands rolling out minor updates or cosmetic refreshes across several locations, the QT process is an incredibly efficient way to get the necessary approvals without the longer timelines associated with a standard review, keeping your rollout on track.
The Benefits of Concurrent Reviews
Time is money, and the concurrent review process is designed to save you a lot of it. This option allows you to have your site plan and building plan reviewed at the same time, rather than sequentially. The big win here is efficiency. By running these two essential reviews in parallel, you can significantly shorten the overall permitting timeline. This is especially beneficial for ground-up construction or major additions where both site and building elements are complex. For any project on an aggressive schedule, opting for a concurrent review can be a game-changer, helping you move from plan approval to construction much faster.
Build a Submission-Ready Application
Submitting your commercial project plans to the City of Austin isn’t just about dropping off a set of drawings. It’s about presenting a clear, complete, and compelling case for your project that makes it easy for reviewers to say “yes.” The single biggest cause of permit delays isn’t necessarily complex code issues; it’s incomplete or incorrect applications that get stuck in a cycle of comments and resubmittals. Each round of corrections can add weeks, if not months, to your timeline, pushing back opening dates and delaying revenue.
The goal is to get your application package right the first time. A submission-ready application is one that anticipates reviewers’ questions, adheres to all formatting and documentation requirements, and leaves no room for ambiguity. It shows that you’ve done your due diligence and respect the process. This proactive approach is the foundation of a faster, more predictable permitting journey. Before you even think about submitting, it’s essential to run your own quality control, understand the common pitfalls that trip up other applicants, and know when to engage with city staff before you’re officially on the clock. Let’s walk through how to build an application that sails through the review process.
A Quick Quality Control Checklist
Before you submit your application, run through a final quality control check. Think of it as proofreading a critical email before you hit send. First, confirm you have all prerequisite approvals in place. For instance, you typically need an approved Site Plan or Site Plan Exemption before you can even apply for the building permit. Ensure all forms are filled out completely and signed by the correct parties. Double-check that your digital files are correctly named, legible, and formatted to the city’s specifications. Are all required documents included, from structural calculations to energy code compliance reports? A simple checklist can be your best defense against an immediate rejection for administrative incompleteness.
Common Submission Errors to Avoid
The City of Austin won’t accept applications with missing, incomplete, or illegible documents. It’s a common but entirely avoidable mistake. If your plans are rejected, you’ll receive a report detailing the issues, and you’ll have to fix everything and resubmit the entire plan set. This isn’t just a minor setback; it puts you back at the end of the line. Other frequent errors include incorrect fee calculations, missing signatures, or drawings that aren’t to scale. Each error, no matter how small, creates friction and delays the process. The key is to treat every part of the application with the same level of detail as your architectural drawings to avoid these unforced errors.
Why a Pre-Development Meeting Helps
If your project has any complexity, don’t wait until submission to get feedback. The City of Austin encourages early engagement. You can meet with reviewers to discuss your design and ask code questions before you submit your formal plans. For more involved projects, consider a Preliminary Plan Review (PPR). This is a formal meeting where you can get early, actionable feedback from multiple departments. It’s an invaluable opportunity to identify and resolve potential red flags before they become official review comments. This proactive step can save you months of back-and-forth and is a smart strategy for de-risking your project timeline.
Meet Austin’s Code Requirements
Getting your submission package right is half the battle; meeting Austin’s specific code requirements is the other. A clean application that already accounts for local rules is your fastest path to approval. Handling these standards—from building and zoning to environmental and fire codes—is essential for avoiding comments and corrections that can stall your project timeline. Let’s walk through the key requirements you need to have on your radar.
Key Building Code Standards
For any commercial project in Austin, your plans must comply with the latest adopted International Building Code (IBC). Beyond the IBC, the city also enforces its own set of Building Technical Codes that address local amendments and specific requirements. These codes are the foundation for ensuring your project meets all safety and structural integrity standards. Familiarizing your design team with these regulations from the start is a critical quality control step. It ensures your architectural and structural plans won’t get flagged for non-compliance, saving you from costly and time-consuming revisions later in the review process.
Critical Zoning and Land Use Rules
Before you can even think about a building permit, you must have an approved Site Plan or a formal Site Plan Exemption from the city. This is a non-negotiable prerequisite. The site plan review process confirms that your project’s scope, use, and design align with Austin’s complex zoning regulations and land development code. It addresses everything from building placement and parking to landscaping and accessibility. Getting this step wrong can stop your project in its tracks. Ensure your team has secured this approval before preparing your building permit application to avoid an immediate rejection from the plan review team.
Environmental and Drainage Regulations
Austin places a strong emphasis on environmental protection, and your project must reflect that. A key part of the site plan approval process involves a thorough Floodplain & Drainage Analysis. This is required to demonstrate your project properly manages stormwater runoff and won’t negatively impact the local watershed or contribute to flooding. Your civil engineer will need to design a drainage solution that complies with the City of Austin’s specific drainage criteria. Proactively addressing these environmental standards is crucial for securing your site plan approval and moving forward with your building permit.
Fire, Safety, and Energy Codes
Fire and life safety reviews are a critical component of the permitting process. If your project includes fire sprinklers or alarm systems, the plans must be submitted directly to the Austin Fire Department by a licensed sprinkler company—your architect or engineer cannot submit them. Separately, if your building is served by Austin Energy, you’ll need to comply with the city’s energy efficiency standards. This often involves conducting energy audits and disclosures to ensure your design meets the required performance levels. Coordinating these parallel reviews early is key to preventing them from becoming last-minute hurdles before you can get your permit.
Stay on Top of Your Review
Submitting your application isn’t the final step—it’s the start of the review cycle. This is where staying proactive is critical for keeping your project on schedule. For teams managing national rollouts, a delay in one jurisdiction can create a domino effect, pushing back opening dates and revenue. Instead of waiting for the city to come to you, you can take control by actively tracking your application, communicating clearly with reviewers, and responding to feedback quickly and completely. This hands-on approach is the key to moving your project from “submitted” to “approved” without unnecessary friction.
How to Track Your Application Status
Once your plans are submitted, you can monitor their journey through the city’s review process online. The City of Austin uses its Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal as the central hub for all applications. This is where you’ll find status updates, comments from reviewers, and any official communications regarding your project. Make it a habit to check the portal regularly. Knowing exactly where your application stands—whether it’s in queue, under review, or awaiting corrections—allows you to anticipate next steps and address issues before they become significant delays. For program managers juggling multiple permits across different locations, having a clear line of sight into each project’s status is essential for maintaining momentum.
Communicating with City Reviewers
Clear and direct communication with your plan reviewer can resolve potential issues before they lead to a formal rejection. The City of Austin offers several ways to connect with staff. For quick questions, you can often use online chat features or schedule brief virtual appointments to discuss specific code interpretations. If you have a complex project with multiple questions, it’s often more effective to schedule a meeting to walk through the plans together. Approaching reviewers as partners in the process, rather than adversaries, helps build a positive working relationship. This ensures your questions are answered efficiently and that you understand exactly what’s needed to get your plans approved.
Responding to Comments and Corrections
It’s common to receive comments or a correction letter after the initial review. The key is how you handle them. Your goal is to eliminate the back-and-forth that grinds projects to a halt. Address every single comment thoroughly and methodically in your response. If a reviewer’s note is unclear, don’t guess—reach out and ask for clarification. When you resubmit, be sure to provide the complete, updated plan set, not just the corrected sheets. Submitting a partial package is a frequent misstep that almost guarantees another round of reviews. A clean, comprehensive response demonstrates professionalism and makes it easy for the reviewer to verify the corrections and issue an approval.
Tips for Working with Your Plan Reviewer
Building a smooth working relationship with your plan reviewer can make a significant difference in your timeline. For particularly complex projects, consider a Preliminary Plan Review (PPR). This optional meeting happens before your formal submittal, giving you a chance to get early feedback on your design and code strategy. It’s an invaluable tool for identifying major roadblocks while it’s still easy to make changes. Beyond that, paying attention to the details goes a long way. Always confirm your site plan is fully approved before submitting your building plans, and as mentioned, always provide a complete set of drawings, even for minor revisions. These small steps prevent simple administrative errors from causing frustrating delays.
How to Speed Up Your Review
When your project timeline is tight, waiting on a plan review can feel like a major bottleneck. Delays here directly impact your construction schedule and, ultimately, your opening date. The good news is that the City of Austin has several established pathways to help you get through the review process more quickly. It’s not about skipping steps, but about finding the most efficient route for your specific project.
Knowing which options are available and when to use them can significantly cut down your days-to-permit. From dedicated fast-track programs for smaller scopes to collaborative review sessions for complex builds, the city provides tools to keep your project moving. The key is to proactively identify the right strategy for your submission package. By aligning your project with the appropriate review track from the start, you can avoid unnecessary downtime and get your permit in hand sooner. Let’s look at the specific programs and resources you can use.
Exploring Fast-Track Options
If your project has a limited scope, you might qualify for one of Austin’s fast-track options. These are designed to streamline the process for straightforward work that doesn’t require a full, in-depth review. Programs like the Quick Turnaround (QT), 7-Day review, and Expedited Variance Quick Turnaround (EVQT) are perfect for smaller tenant improvements or minor revisions. The city even offers overtime reviews for an additional fee. To see if your project fits the criteria, you can check the city’s official commercial plan review guidelines. Choosing the right path here is a simple way to save weeks of waiting.
Using Express Permit Programs
For larger or more complex projects, the Expedited Building Plan Review program is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your timeline. This program allows you to schedule a single, intensive review session that brings your design team and the city’s entire team of plan reviewers to the same table. Instead of waiting for comments to trickle in from different departments, you can address questions and resolve issues in real-time. This collaborative approach is invaluable for getting everyone aligned, reducing the chance of resubmittals, and getting a clear path to approval. You can request an expedited review directly through the city’s website.
City Support Services and Resources
Don’t hesitate to use the support services the City of Austin offers. These resources are there to help you clarify requirements and prevent common mistakes that lead to delays. You can use the online chat for quick questions, schedule appointments to discuss specific code interpretations, or arrange meetings with reviewers for more complex projects. Engaging with city staff before you even submit can help you iron out potential issues, ensuring your application is as clean as possible. This proactive communication is a simple but powerful way to keep your project on track and build a positive relationship with your reviewers.
Helpful Online Tools
Managing documentation for a commercial project can be a challenge, especially when dealing with large files for plans and revisions. The City of Austin simplifies this with its Commercial Building Permit Web Form. This online portal is your hub for submitting permit applications, updates, and revisions efficiently. Using the designated web form ensures your files are received correctly and routed to the right department without the hassle of physical drop-offs or file size limitations. For teams managing multiple projects across different locations, having a streamlined digital submission process is essential for staying organized and meeting deadlines.
Your Permit Is Approved. Now What?
That “Approved” status in your portal is a huge win, but it’s not the finish line. Getting your permit approved is just the first step in the final phase of your project. Now, you need to get the permit issued, manage construction and inspections, and secure your Certificate of Occupancy before you can open your doors. Each step has its own requirements, and a misstep here can still cause delays. Let’s walk through what to expect after the City of Austin gives your plans the green light.
From Approval to Permit Issuance
First, it’s important to understand the difference between an approval and an issuance. An approval means the city’s plan reviewers have confirmed your documents meet all code requirements. An issuance is when you receive the physical permit document that must be posted at the construction site. This typically happens one to two days after final approval. Before the city will issue the permit, you’ll need to pay all outstanding fees. You can usually handle this online through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal, which keeps the process moving quickly so your contractor can get started.
What’s Required During Construction
With your permit in hand and posted on-site, your general contractor can officially begin work. The most important rule during this phase is to build exactly what’s in the approved plans. Any changes, no matter how small they seem, can lead to failed inspections and require costly revisions and re-reviews. Throughout the build-out, you’ll need to schedule a series of City of Austin inspections at key milestones. These checkups on things like foundations, framing, electrical, and plumbing ensure the work is being done to code and keeps your project on track for final approval.
Scheduling Final Inspections
As construction wraps up, your team will need to schedule final inspections for all trades. These are the last check-ins to verify that all work matches the approved plans and complies with city building and safety codes. Your general contractor will typically coordinate this, ensuring the site is 100% ready before the inspector arrives. It’s critical to be prepared, as a failed inspection means scheduling a re-inspection, which costs both time and money. Passing all your final inspections is a prerequisite for the last major step: applying for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Getting Your Certificate of Occupancy
The Certificate of Occupancy (C/O) is the document that legally allows you to occupy the building and open for business. You can’t welcome customers or generate revenue without it. To get your C/O, you must have completed all construction, passed all final inspections, and paid all city fees. The city will then conduct a final C/O inspection to confirm the space is safe and ready for the public. Once you pass, the city will issue the certificate. You can learn more about the specific requirements on the city’s Certificate of Occupancy program page.
When to Bring in Professional Help
Managing a commercial plan review in Austin can feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects across different states. While your team is skilled at managing construction and development, mastering the specific codes and processes of every single jurisdiction isn’t always the best use of their time. Knowing when to call in a specialist can be the key to keeping your national rollout on schedule and on budget. Bringing in a partner to handle the permitting process allows your team to focus on what they do best—building and opening new locations.
This isn’t about outsourcing a problem; it’s about strategically adding expertise to your team to ensure predictable timelines and faster revenue generation. For multi-site brands, the real cost of permitting isn’t just the city fees—it’s the lost revenue from a delayed opening. Every day a project is stuck in review is a day you’re not serving customers. A professional permitting partner takes ownership of the administrative burden, from due diligence and application quality control to submittals and follow-up, giving you a single point of contact and clear visibility across all your projects, whether they’re in Austin or Anchorage.
Deciding If You Need an Expediter
If you’re asking whether you need a permit expediter in Austin, the answer is almost always yes. Local professionals often recommend it because the city has its own unique set of rules. For a multi-site brand, this local knowledge is invaluable. Instead of your team spending weeks learning the ins and outs of Austin’s portal and reviewer preferences, an expediter already has that expertise. They act as your local liaison, translating your plans into a submission package that meets the city’s exact standards. A dedicated permit partner knows the people and the process, which helps you avoid common pitfalls that lead to delays and resubmittals.
Coordinating with Your Architect and Engineer
Your project’s success depends on seamless collaboration between your design team and your permitting partner. While your licensed architect or engineer is responsible for creating and sealing the construction plans, their primary focus is on design, safety, and structural integrity—not necessarily the administrative specifics of the Austin submission process. A permit expediter bridges that gap. They work directly with your Architect of Record to ensure the complete plan set is packaged correctly for the city’s review, catching potential issues before they’re even submitted. This proactive quality control frees your AOR from getting bogged down in local code nuances and prevents the costly back-and-forth that can derail a timeline.
Tips for Managing the Permitting Timeline
A proactive approach is the best way to manage your permitting timeline in Austin. First, understand the different review paths available. The city offers several ways to speed up the process for certain projects, including Quick-Turnaround (QT) and 7-Day reviews. A professional can quickly identify if your project qualifies for one of these fast-track options and prepare the application to meet the specific requirements. Second, plan for corrections. Even the cleanest submission can receive comments. When the city sends a report, you need a clear process for addressing the issues and resubmitting quickly. A permitting partner manages this entire feedback loop, communicating with city reviewers to get clarity and coordinating with your design team to get revisions turned around fast.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single biggest reason commercial permits get delayed in Austin? Hands down, the most common cause for delays is submitting an incomplete or inaccurate application package. It’s not usually a complex code issue that trips people up, but simple administrative mistakes. If your package is missing a required document, a signature, or has illegible drawings, it gets rejected immediately. This doesn’t just mean you have to fix the error; it means your project goes to the back of the line to start the review process all over again, which can add weeks to your timeline.
My project is a simple interior remodel. Do I really have to go through the full standard review process? Not necessarily. Austin has faster review paths for projects with a limited scope. You might be a perfect candidate for the Quick Turn-Around (QT) review, which is designed for smaller jobs like minor interior remodels or equipment upgrades that don’t change the building’s use. In many cases, these reviews can be completed much faster than the standard process, which is a huge advantage for keeping a multi-site rollout on schedule.
Is paying for a Preliminary Plan Review (PPR) actually worth it? For a complex project, it’s one of the smartest investments you can make. Think of the PPR as a strategy session with the city. It gives you a chance to discuss your design and ask specific code questions before you formally submit your plans. This helps you identify and resolve potential red flags early on, when making changes is still relatively easy and inexpensive. It’s a proactive step that can save you from months of back-and-forth later.
What’s the difference between a permit being ‘approved’ and ‘issued’? This is a great question because the terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. An “approval” means the city’s plan reviewers have signed off on your drawings and confirmed they meet all code requirements. An “issuance” is when you’ve paid all the final fees and receive the official permit document that must be posted at the job site. Your contractor cannot start work until the permit is officially issued.
My architect is handling the plans. Why would I also need a permit expediter? Your architect is the expert on designing a safe, compliant building. A permit expediter is the expert on navigating the city’s administrative process. While your architect creates the plans, an expediter ensures the entire submission package is assembled perfectly for Austin’s specific requirements, manages communication with city reviewers, and tracks the project through every step. This frees your architect to focus on design and prevents your project from getting stalled by common procedural errors.