Getting a building permit approved can be one of the most stressful parts of any construction or renovation project. Over the past few years, city and county planning departments across the country have struggled with staffing shortages, backlogs, and longer review timelines. As a result, fast permit approvals have become increasingly difficult.
In this article, we’ll explore five practical strategies to increase your chances of faster permit approvals, reduce delays, and keep your construction project on track. Whether you are a small business owner opening a new retail store, a developer managing a commercial property, or a homeowner planning a renovation, these strategies can save you time, money, and frustration.
Why Fast Permit Approvals Are Harder Than Ever
Like many businesses, city and county planning departments throughout the country have struggled during the pandemic. Over that span, their professionals have experienced layoffs, furloughs, early retirement offers and reduced work hours. Fast permit approvals and reviews have slowed considerably.
And, while things have gotten better, limited staff combined with a backlog of applications means fast permit approval timeframes are not back to pre-pandemic levels yet.
We are still seeing building and health plan reviews take four to six weeks longer just for the first comments. Los Angeles County no longer posts time estimates for expedited permits. Seattle’s backlog means the first comments are coming more than five months after submittal. New commercial construction projects in San Jose can expect the first comments within 25 weeks.
In an industry where delays are costly, everyone involved in a construction project feels stress and frustration. This is especially true for new, smaller retailers where prolonged delays may mean going out of business before the doors even open.
How a Permit Expediter Can Help
As a commercial permit expeditor with 20-plus years of experience permitting all types of projects, Permit Place has witnessed the ebbs and flows created by different economic climates. Few things compare to what we’ve seen in the past few years.
A sliver of good news is that all hope is not lost if you’re planning (or in the middle of) a construction project. There are steps you can take to improve your chances of a fast permit approval and review – or at least limit your stress and anxiety.
A professional permit expediter acts as a bridge between your project and the local permitting office. With their expertise, you can:
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Ensure applications are complete and compliant with local codes
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Avoid common mistakes that trigger delays
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Communicate effectively with city and county staff
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Track applications and revisions digitally
1. Set Expectations Early with Key Stakeholders
The reality is unless permitting offices staff up quickly – highly unlikely considering the broader hiring challenges – permitting delays aren’t going anywhere. For this reason, set expectations with your key stakeholders early. While they’ll still want to see progress, they may be more understanding if they’re prepared upfront.
To define this timeframe, consider investing in a due diligence report. In addition to all the rules and regulations you’ll face as part of the fast permit approval process, the report will lay out an estimated timeline for approval.
Additional Tips for Setting Expectations:
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Share local backlog statistics: Providing stakeholders with city-specific data can justify realistic timelines.
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Create internal project milestones: Even if external approvals are delayed, tracking internal progress keeps teams engaged.
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Communicate potential risks: Highlight possible setbacks like additional plan review cycles or inspections to avoid surprises.
By being proactive and transparent, you reduce anxiety for everyone involved and set a professional tone that can indirectly help your application move faster.
2. Build Complete Applications
When you finally get eyes on your application and drawings, you need to make sure all documentation is included, all forms are complete, the information is accurate, and signatures are collected. Any requests for more information or rejections because of incomplete applications can add weeks or months to the process.
Get help from someone familiar with the process or a permit expediter with local knowledge. It can pay dividends.
Enhancing Application Quality:
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Use checklists: Local permitting offices often provide submission checklists. Double-checking against these can reduce missing items.
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Cross-check codes: Confirm that drawings comply with zoning, accessibility, and fire code requirements.
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Professional review: Having a licensed architect or engineer review your application can prevent costly mistakes before submission.
A complete, accurate application signals professionalism and reduces the chances of multiple review cycles, which are a major cause of delays.
3. Don’t Bother the Permitting Department Staff
When radio silence from the planning department extends longer than you’d like, a natural reaction is to start sending status update requests. Avoid this impulse. Every reply these professionals need to send takes them away from completing and processing applications.
Smart Communication Practices:
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Use online tracking portals: Many cities provide status updates digitally, reducing the need to call or email.
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Schedule one follow-up per review cycle: Avoid excessive contact; one concise check-in is usually enough.
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Keep messages professional and to the point: Clearly state your question or request without unnecessary details.
Respecting staff time can help your application progress more smoothly, especially in jurisdictions facing high demand and limited personnel.
4. Use Electronic Submittal Options
COVID-19 has accelerated the shift to digital applications and virtual review processes. Many jurisdictions now adopt electronic plan review software l like ProjectDox, Bluebeam, and Accela.
Benefits of ePlan Systems:
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Faster submission with digital document uploads
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Ability to track revisions and review comments
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Early detection of code compliance issues
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Reduced need for in-person visits
Pro Tip: Some jurisdictions offer tutorials or support for ePlan software—take advantage of these to avoid delays caused by incorrect electronic submissions.
Using digital submissions efficiently can save weeks of waiting for printed plan deliveries and help you respond quickly to corrections.
5. Make All Requested Corrections
As drawings come back, you will likely receive correction requests about updates needed to align with the building code. Make these corrections. In normal times, plan check professionals can get a little testy when they have to ask for changes twice. And these are not normal times.
Maximizing Efficiency in Corrections:
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Address all comments in one submission to avoid repeated cycles
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Consult professionals if you’re unsure about technical requirements
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Keep organized records of all revisions and approvals for future reference
Promptly addressing corrections demonstrates professionalism and can significantly reduce total approval time.
Common Mistakes That Prevent Fast Permit Approvals
Even the most seasoned contractors and developers can face frustrating delays if they overlook small but crucial details during the permitting process. City reviewers are meticulous, and a single missing document or outdated reference can send your entire application back to square one. Understanding and avoiding these common mistakes can significantly shorten review times and help you secure approval on the first try.
Missing Documentation
One of the most frequent causes of delay is incomplete paperwork. A missing form, unchecked box, or absent professional seal can halt progress and force you to start the review process again. Double-check that every required document, drawing, and signature is included before submission.
Outdated Code References
Building codes evolve regularly, and referencing old standards signals a lack of due diligence. Always verify that your project plans align with the latest municipal and state code updates before filing.
Poor Communication
When project details are unclear, reviewers must request clarification, leading to back-and-forth emails and added weeks of waiting. Maintain open, proactive communication with city officials to resolve questions early and prevent confusion.
Ignoring Jurisdictional Nuances
Each city or county enforces its own set of priorities, review procedures, and formatting expectations. Submitting a “one-size-fits-all” package can result in rejection. Tailor your application to meet the specific requirements of the jurisdiction where your project is located.
Rushed Corrections
When an application is returned for revisions, it’s tempting to rush through changes. However, resubmitting incomplete or messy updates only delays approval further. Take time to review corrections carefully and check if all requested modifications are fully addressed.
A meticulous, organized approach from document preparation to reviewer communication can mean the difference between getting your permit approved in weeks instead of months.
Additional Strategies to Expedite Permits
Beyond the five main strategies, you can further increase your chances of fast permit approvals with these extra steps:
Pre-Submittal Meetings
Meeting with planning or code enforcement staff before submission can clarify expectations, uncover potential issues early, and build a cooperative relationship with staff.
Explore Expedited or Priority Permits
Some jurisdictions provide paid expedited permit options for commercial or critical projects. Research whether your city offers these programs and understand their requirements.
Prepare for Inspections Early
Schedule preliminary inspections to catch potential code violations before your final review. Early inspection preparation can reduce last-minute corrections.
Maintain Organized Documentation
Keep both digital and hard copies of plans, revisions, and correspondence. Well-organized records allow for quick responses and reduce delays caused by missing documents.
Leverage Local Expertise
Each city or county has unique procedures and preferences. Working with a local permit expediter, architect, or engineer familiar with the jurisdiction can prevent common errors and expedite approvals.
If you need professional guidance, Permit Place’s experienced permit experts can help streamline your approvals, navigate complex local regulations, and improve your chances of fast permit approvals.