Smoothing the Permitting Process
Tips to Reduce Roadblocks & Get Your Permits More Efficiently

Rick Cline, Construction Manager
F.C. Dadson, Inc.

If only opening a store was as easy as finding a location and moving in. Instead there are lease agreements to pore over, designers and contractors to hire, and a local building department to please. It’s the last of these three that arguably produces the most headaches and adds the most time to a project.

Building departments can be quite demanding with all their rules and requirements, but it’s with good reason: to ensure your location will best serve you and your customers. Keeping your mind set on this goal can help alleviate some of the frustrations involved with permitting, but in case that’s not enough, here are a few other tips to get you through the process as smoothly as possible.

Usually it is the project’s general contractor that serves as the “permit applicant,” but preparation for permitting begins with the owner. Since the process largely revolves around plan submittal and review, making sure your store project meets all applicable building codes and zoning requirements specific to your location is incredibly important. Doing your homework and researching these codes and requirements is a great place to start. Not only will you have a better understanding of why certain things need to be built a certain way, but you’ll be able to more effectively monitor your hired team to make sure they are adhering to the rules.

Many of my clients find that working with a local architect and general contractor is incredibly beneficial as these professionals have experience working with area building departments and are familiar with their processes and requirements. However, working with an “out-of-town” professional team doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. Be sure that your architect and general contractor are aware of all building and zoning requirements that apply to your location. Passing along this information prior to beginning the architectural phase allows your architect to reference these guidelines when designing your location. It also gives your contractor time to acquaint himself with the permitting process your city uses.

It also doesn’t hurt to know a little bit about the permit approval process and requirements yourself. Every city is a little bit different. Some municipalities require full-fledged stamped architectural documents while others are willing to review more informal space plans. With some retail designers getting into the space planning game, you may be able to save time (and money) by cutting out architecture all together and using the plans a designer can provide. In addition to potentially saving time, familiarizing yourself with the process will give you an idea of what needs to be turned in and when certain things should happen, so you’ll be able to have everything ready when it needs to be.

The permitting process itself can be very unpredictable. For some clients it takes only a couple weeks, but for others it could take months. Most of this time is spent in the plan review and revision phases. As I mentioned earlier, having access to all relevant codes and requirements prior to space planning is a definite advantage –the plans you submit for review will incorporate these guidelines from the beginning. Of course, revisions may still be necessary and delays can occur. The best way keep the ball rolling is to have a dedicated team that will make timely corrections when requested and watch over everything to make sure the project doesn’t get “stuck” somewhere.

To save themselves time, some owners choose to hire permit expediters to oversee the process so they don’t have to. Basically an expediter is a company that has extensive knowledge of the building requirements for a specific region as well as experience working with local building departments. They work on your behalf to “push” your project through permitting and keep abreast of any changes. They can also facilitate any revisions that are necessary. Given their knowledge and connections, expediters may be able to get your permits faster; however, they still need solid plans to submit (it all comes back to doing your homework!). Also, there are added costs involved with using this service, but many owners have found that it’s worth it for the extra time they free up to work on something else.

Getting your permits more efficiently all comes down to doing your homework. Knowing all pertinent codes and requirements and passing along that information to your architect and general contractor upfront helps them prepare a plan that has the best chance for immediate approval. Familiarizing yourself with the process helps you keep everything on track; and if you find it all confusing and overwhelming, you can seek out professionals who know the routine and have done it before. With a little thought and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to a headache-free permitting experience.

Rick Cline is Construction Manager for F.C. Dadson, Inc., a nationwide fixture management company. The company offers space/floor planning and conceptual design, graphics, POP displays, trade show exhibits, turn-key fixture design and manufacturing along with nationwide installation.

 To learn more about F.C. Dadson, Inc., click here. You can reach their national sales consultants at (800)728-0338 or visit them on the web at: www.fcdadson.com.