Tips for Construction Permitting and Planning

By Jenny King, Director of Construction Services, DEI Incorporated

Gone are the days of submitting stacks of drawings and paperwork to local municipalities. Many building departments throughout the United States upgraded their systems to online portals during the Covid-19 Epidemic. Initially these systems allowed their employees a safe working environment from home instead of completely closing their offices while also speeding up the review process.

However, online portals have not changed the need or ability to establish new relationships within the reviewing jurisdictions and business communities. These relationships are developed based on mutual respect, effective honest communication, asking questions, requesting feedback and, the most important, meeting submission and required deadlines.

It is about asking the right questions. Knowing what is needed before its requested and respectful follow-up. Do not be an irritant or become annoying. Calling and/or emailing are acceptable, but you should never waste the reviewing entities time. Reviewing jurisdiction employees are extremely busy and typically review on a first come first serve basis. However, calling continuously, asking favors, and ignoring directions can cause long delays in the review process.

Always remember, construction should never begin without the proper approvals and permits. In many areas throughout the United States, more than one permit is required. Beginning construction without proper permits can cause work stoppages, penalties and wasting the time of reviewing and inspecting jurisdictions.

Jenny King, DEI’s Director of Construction Services, has 28 years of experience at DEI in planning/permitting, zoning, licensing, procurement, and equipment specification.