Poerio Inc. | Industry Basics | Project Management
One of the questions we hear most often from property owners is, “How long will permitting take?” It’s a great question, and the honest answer is: it depends. Permitting is one of the least predictable parts of a construction project, and it’s one of the many things we manage so our clients don’t have to.
What the Permitting Process Involves
Before construction can begin, the project needs a building permit from the local jurisdiction. To obtain one, the design documents are submitted for review by the building department, which checks them for compliance with building codes, zoning ordinances, fire codes, accessibility standards, and other applicable regulations.
Depending on the jurisdiction and the complexity of the project, the review process might take a few weeks or several months. Some municipalities have a single-step review; others require multiple rounds of review and revision. Larger projects may also need approvals from planning commissions, zoning boards, environmental agencies, or historical preservation bodies.
Why Permitting Takes as Long as It Does
Building departments are typically understaffed relative to the volume of permit applications they receive. Reviewers are checking complex construction documents for compliance with thousands of code provisions. When they find issues, the plans go back to the design team for revision, and the clock essentially restarts.
The most common cause of permitting delays isn’t the building department — it’s incomplete or non-compliant plan submissions. This is where having an experienced contractor involved early makes a real difference.
What We Do at Poerio
We coordinate with your design team during preconstruction to review documents before they’re submitted, flagging potential code issues that could trigger review comments. We know the submission requirements for the jurisdictions where we work, and we make sure the application packages are complete the first time.
During construction, we schedule and coordinate all required inspections. Building inspectors check the work at key milestones — foundations, framing, rough-in, insulation, and final — and we ensure the work is ready for inspection so there are no failed inspections or delays.
The bottom line: permitting and inspections are our problem, not yours. We keep you informed of timelines and any issues that arise, but we handle the logistics.
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