How Long Does a Building Permit Take?

The short answer: anywhere from same-day approval to 8 weeks, depending on your project type, city, and the complexity of your plans. Simple projects like sheds and fences are often approved within days, while complex projects like pools and ADUs can take weeks of review across multiple city departments.

Processing Times by Project Type

Here are typical permit processing times across major U.S. cities based on our research:

  • Shed permits: 1-5 business days. Many cities offer over-the-counter shed permits that can be approved the same day you apply, especially for simple structures under the size threshold.
  • Fence permits: 1-5 business days. Fence permits are typically the simplest and fastest to process. Some cities approve them on the spot if you have a basic site plan.
  • Deck permits: 1-3 weeks. Deck permits take longer because they involve structural review, especially for attached decks where the ledger board connection must be specified.
  • Garage permits: 2-4 weeks. Garages involve structural plans, electrical review, and sometimes foundation engineering that require more thorough plan review.
  • Pool permits: 2-6 weeks. Pool permits are among the most complex because they require review by building, electrical, plumbing, and safety departments.
  • ADU permits: 4-8 weeks. Accessory dwelling units require the most extensive review including site plan approval, zoning compliance, utility capacity review, and sometimes neighborhood notification.
  • Pergola permits: 1-2 weeks. Depends on whether the pergola has a solid roof and how it attaches to the house.
  • Hot tub permits: 1-2 weeks. Primarily driven by electrical permit review for the 220V circuit requirement.

What Affects Processing Time?

Several factors determine how quickly your permit is approved:

  • City backlog: Busy building departments in growing cities like Austin, Miami, and Phoenix may have longer processing times than smaller municipalities.
  • Application completeness: Incomplete applications are the single biggest cause of delays. Missing site plans, incorrect dimensions, or unsigned forms can add weeks to your timeline.
  • Plan complexity: Simple projects with standard designs are reviewed faster. Custom designs or projects requiring engineering calculations take longer.
  • Number of departments involved: A shed permit may only need building department review. A pool needs building, electrical, plumbing, and safety review — each department adds time.
  • Time of year: Spring and summer are peak construction seasons. Permit processing times increase significantly from March through August in most cities.

How to Speed Up the Process

  1. Submit a complete application — include all required documents, a detailed site plan with dimensions and setback distances, and the correct fee payment
  2. Apply online if available — many cities process online applications faster than paper submissions
  3. Use pre-approved plans — some cities maintain lists of pre-approved shed or deck designs that skip full plan review
  4. Call ahead — contact the building department before submitting to confirm what documents are needed for your specific project
  5. Hire a permit expediter — for complex projects, professional permit expediters can navigate the process and reduce delays

The Inspection Timeline

After your permit is approved, you still need to schedule inspections during and after construction. Most cities require 24-48 hours advance notice for inspection scheduling. Simple projects like sheds may need only a final inspection. Complex projects like pools may require 6-8 separate inspections. Failed inspections require corrections before work can continue, which can add days or weeks to your project timeline.

Find Your City's Specific Timeline

Processing times vary significantly by city. Check your specific city's permit requirements and typical timelines on PermitRules:

Browse all cities on PermitRules →

This information is provided for general guidance only. Permit requirements vary by municipality. Always verify rules with your local building department.