How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit?

Whether you’re building a new home, adding on to your current home, or undergoing renovations, you need a building permit to allow you to proceed with construction. The time it takes to get a building permit varies, but it can take anywhere from a week to several years after you submit the application. Find out how long the permit process takes and which factors influence how long it takes to get a building permit.

Average Time to Get a Building Permit 

It can take anywhere from one week to three years to obtain a building permit, depending on your local building authority, the type and scale of the project, and how long it takes you to collect the necessary documentation. Larger projects like building a house will often take longer to obtain a permit for, while smaller projects like building a shed may get permitted faster. Contact your local building authority to find out what the permit timeline looks like.

Factors That Affect How Long Getting a Building Permit Takes

Because there’s such a wide range of time it can take to get a building permit, knowing which factors affect the timeline can help you plan your project’s timing. 

Project Size

Depending on your municipality, smaller projects like replacing a roof or building a shed may be quickly approved for a permit, while larger-scale projects like new home construction may take months or even several years to get approved. Getting a permit for an addition or another medium-scale project may fall somewhere in the middle. Bigger projects have bigger plans, and the more plans the building authority needs to review, the longer it’ll take. Large projects may also involve zoning permits for land use, which adds to the processing time.

Location

Where you live can also affect how long it takes to get a building permit. Smaller municipalities without a lot of construction may approve permits faster than a large city with many construction projects. Local regulations can also influence the timing—the building authority needs to check your plans to make sure there are no building code violations, and codes vary based on location.

Time of Year

If you apply for a building permit during a slow time of year that isn’t very active with construction projects, you may get approved faster. Conversely, if you submit your permit application during a busy construction season, it may get held up due to the volume of applications the office is receiving. 

Application Delays

Applying for a building permit involves a lot of documentation, and if you’re missing any of that documentation, your application can get delayed. Ensure you have everything you need for a complete application and the correct building permit fees before submitting to avoid delays.

Ways to Save Time Getting a Building Permit

While you have little control over how long a building permit takes once your application has been submitted, there are some ways to save time during the process. 

Start Early 

Once your plans are ready to submit, don’t waste time. You or a local general contractor should submit your application as early as possible so you don’t lose construction time. A building permit lasts about six months from the time it’s issued to when construction needs to start, so there’s rarely harm in starting early.

Use a Permit Expediter

If you’re facing a particularly complex permitting process, a permit expediter can help. These professionals can navigate the permit process for you and ensure it takes as little time as possible.

Check Your Application

Before submitting your permit application, ensure you have all the documentation the building authority requires. It’s a good idea to check with the municipality about what they require for a complete application so you know you aren’t missing anything.