How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit?

Last updated: July 2026. Reviewed by the Quality Material Handling Inc. permitting and installation team.

Quick answer

Building permit timelines for warehouse and industrial projects typically range from a few weeks for straightforward permits to several months for complex projects requiring multiple agency approvals. The biggest factors are local jurisdiction workload, project complexity, and how quickly the applicant responds to plan review comments, so early planning and complete initial submissions are the best ways to keep the timeline short.

When You Need a Permit Specialist

For straightforward residential permits, a general contractor can often manage the process. But warehouse and industrial projects frequently benefit from a dedicated permit specialist when:

• Multiple agency approvals are required – Large warehouse projects may require sign-off from building, fire, planning, and utility departments simultaneously. A permit specialist coordinates all submissions and follow-ups.
• Jurisdictions have unique processes – Some California cities have highly complex permit workflows, pre-application meetings, or discretionary review processes that require local knowledge to navigate efficiently.
• Expedited review is needed – Permit specialists know which jurisdictions offer over-the-counter or priority review for certain project types, helping compress timelines.
• Plan check corrections are common – Specialists experienced with specific plan checkers can prepare submissions that minimize correction cycles, saving weeks of delay.

From material procurement to hiring subcontractors, construction projects involve a lot of moving parts. Before you can start work on a major renovation or new construction project, you’ll need to apply for building permits. If you obtain this type of permit, the city will know that your building plans adhere to local codes and zoning regulations. Building codes are designed to ensure the safety of a structure, which is why permits are required for most construction projects.

While the process of obtaining a building permit is usually straightforward, costly delays can occur if you make a mistake during the application or review process. The building permit process typically involves researching regulations, submitting an application, waiting for the planning department to review it, and receiving final approval. During the review of your application, you’ll likely need to answer questions and provide city authorities with any documents they ask for.

If you’re performing a small-scale renovation or construction project, it shouldn’t take too long for you to receive approval for the building permit. However, this process can take weeks or months when dealing with larger projects, such as warehouse construction.

If your local planning department has an issue with your application, you may need to wait even longer to receive your permit. The factors that influence the building permit approval timeline include demand, staffing availability, local regulations, and the thoroughness of your application. In this guide, you’ll learn “How long does it take to get a building permit?”.

Understanding the Building Permit Process

Before you apply for a building permit, you should understand what this process entails.

1. Application Submission

The first step of the building permit process involves submitting your application. There are many documents that you’ll need to submit alongside your application, which include the following:

• Site plan
• Construction drawings
• Proof of water and sanitation
• Certificate of compliance
• Floor plans
• Grading plan
• Elevations
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing details

You can submit these documents online or in person. However, submission guidelines and requirements vary with each planning department. At the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, city officials accept plan check submissions online. All other building permit applications must be submitted in person.

2. Plan Review Phase

The plan review phase involves the building authorities reviewing your application and building plans. Once your local building department verifies that you’ve submitted all the necessary documentation, they’ll put your project in a queue. As touched upon previously, the plan review phase can last anywhere from a few weeks to many months. You may need to wait up to six to 12 months if you’re constructing a warehouse or large residential home.

There are many reasons why this process takes a long time. For one, building departments often have staff shortages at the same time that dozens or hundreds of applications are being submitted. City officials must also spend time reviewing every document that was submitted and making sure that the details adhere to local building plans.

If you forgot to submit a document or made a mistake in the paperwork, the building department will likely ask you to correct the issue. Any request by the building department can lead to a lengthy delay.

The complexity of your project determines how long this process takes. For example, a homeowner who wants to add a room to their home may be able to have their permit approved in a matter of two to three weeks. If you work closely with the building department during this stage of the process, you may be able to expedite the timeline.

3. Permit Issuance

Once your building plan is approved, you should receive all the necessary permits you need for your project. Keep in mind that the building department will only approve your application if all your documentation and the details of your project are in order. If a single aspect of your project doesn’t meet local building codes, you’ll be asked to go back to the drawing board.

Once you gain approval, you should receive your permit in the mail within two weeks. You now have the ability to start your project. Keep in mind that most building departments ask for an application fee.

In Los Angeles, fees vary depending on the type of permit you’re requesting and the size of the building you’re constructing. If you build a new warehouse with a valuation of $1 million, the cost of a building permit could be just over $5,000. Your permit fees may be higher if you also need to apply for separate electrical, heating, and plumbing permits.

Factors Influencing Permit Processing Time

From local building code regulations to applicant responsiveness, there are numerous factors that can directly influence the permit processing time. If you know what these factors are beforehand, you may be able to avoid them during the approval process.

1. Local Regulations and Policies

Local regulations and policies can play a big role in permit processing times. For example, the LADBS provides different processing times for each type of permit. If you request a simple plan check, your application can be approved or denied instantly. In other jurisdictions, processing times may be longer if all types of building permits are treated the same.

Getting a permit approved quickly may be easier in a smaller city than in a large one like Los Angeles. In major cities, permit applications are often backed up because of how many have been filed. This might not be a factor in towns and small cities. Zoning laws and building codes might also influence permit processing times.

Your local building department is tasked with reviewing your documentation to make sure everything aligns with the current regulations. However, these laws vary between jurisdictions. In some locations, zoning laws are highly complex, which could lead to lengthier permit processing times.

2. Project Complexity

Project complexity also factors into processing times. Larger projects have more details, plans, and documents that need to be reviewed. The type of project might also determine how long it takes for your application to be approved. Permit applications for commercial projects often take longer to be approved than ones for residential construction.

There may also be some special requirements that the city must check before they sign off on your project. For example, you may be tasked with obtaining an environmental assessment on the land. If your land has a short history of development, the assessment may be able to be completed in around two weeks. For land with a lengthy development history, you’re likely looking at a delay of four to eight weeks.

3. Applicant Responsiveness

Occasionally, the building department will request additional information about your building plans or other project details. In this scenario, you must respond promptly. For example, let’s say that you forgot to include a document that the building department needs before they can approve your application.

If you respond immediately, this request shouldn’t lead to a major delay. Otherwise, the approval process will be put on hold until you answer the department’s request. It’s common for permit applications to be incomplete. If this happens, the approval process will be delayed until you provide the necessary information.

Strategies to Expedite the Permitting Process

There are several things you can do to expedite the permitting process, which include everything from early planning to hiring the right professionals.

1. Early Planning and Preparation

You can streamline the application process by gathering all the necessary documentation ahead of time. If you provide the documents the city needs when you submit your application, there shouldn’t be any delays. You can also engage with building officials and city authorities early in the project to ask for their feedback. They may inform you of errors in your documentation, which can save you a lot of time during the plan review phase.

2. Hiring Professionals

Because of the importance the permit approval process has to your project timelines, it’s highly recommended that you hire architects, engineers, and permit expeditors to assist you. Architects and engineers can draw up your building plans and make sure that everything is up to code. Permit expeditors have experience working alongside building departments, which means that they’ll know how to avoid delays and help you navigate the plan review phase.

3. Communication and Collaboration

It’s highly recommended that you cultivate and maintain relationships with local building authorities. This can help expedite the review process and could make it easier for you to gain approval on a future project. To facilitate timely approvals, make sure you respond to any request the department makes immediately.

What happens if your permit application is rejected or needs revisions

Plan review comments and correction requests are a normal part of the process, not necessarily a sign of a serious problem. When you receive comments, respond to every item specifically and resubmit promptly, since incomplete or partial responses often trigger another full review cycle rather than a quick sign-off. If you’re unsure how to address a comment, it’s usually faster to call the reviewer or your permit specialist than to guess and risk another rejection.

How racking and equipment plans factor into your permit timeline

If your warehouse project includes new pallet racking, mezzanines, or automated equipment, your permit package typically needs to include stamped structural drawings for that equipment, not just the building shell. Coordinating with your racking or equipment provider early, so their drawings are ready when you submit, can prevent a separate round of plan review delays later in the process.

Our experience: With over 32 years of experience in material handling, QMH has worked alongside warehouse owners and permit specialists on projects across the country, and we’re happy to help make sure your racking and equipment plans are ready when you submit for permit.

Conclusion

The building permit timeline is a lengthy and winding one that often involves brief delays and requests for additional information. There are also numerous factors that determine how long this process takes. Everything from the size of the project to the time of the year can play a role in the plan review phase. To navigate this process efficiently and effectively, consider hiring architects, designers, and permit expeditors to ensure everything goes according to plan.