In more active markets, like California and Florida, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) says the wait can be as long as six to eight months, up from two to three months. Permitting offices laid off many staff personnel during the recession and have been overwhelmed by the number of new permit applications, reports wsj.
Last summer the Denver building department was so overwhelmed projects took three times longer than usual to review. One problem resulting from the permit logjam is builders are having to incur more staff and other expenses during the wait time, which drives up the final price of each project. Denver builder Jared Phifer told wsj the problem is so severe it is almost leading to bankruptcy.
Since last summer Denver has beefed up its permitting program with new software and the addition of staff to handle the uptick in permit applications. ##
(Image credit: theatlanticcities)
