Resources
Building Permits & Process
How the building permit and plan-review process works for architects and building designers — required documents, typical fees, review timelines, and submittal checklists by jurisdiction.
Every project passes through a building department before construction can begin, and the permitting path — what to submit, how it is reviewed, and how long it takes — shapes the schedule as much as the design itself. The guides below explain the end-to-end process, the anatomy of a complete submittal set, and the timeline drivers that decide whether a project clears review in one cycle or five.
Permitting is governed by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Fees, forms, and review timelines vary widely by city and building type, so treat everything here as typical and illustrative — the AHJ's published fee schedule and submittal requirements are always the authoritative source for a specific project.
Prepared by Harth as generated collection navigation. Evidence and review scope are recorded on each linked page.
Pages
- The Building Permit Process, Explained (2026)
Follow the building permit process from application through plan review, corrections, issuance, inspections, and certificate of occupancy.
- Commercial Building Permit Submittal Checklist (2026)
Use this commercial permit checklist to assemble discipline drawings, calculations, energy documents, and forms before jurisdictional intake.
- Building Permits in Los Angeles, CA (LADBS Overview, 2026)
How building permits work in Los Angeles: LADBS plan-check and permit steps, who reviews what, and links to the official fee schedules and forms.
- How Long Does Building Plan Review Take? (2026)
How long building plan review takes — typical timelines by project type, what drives delays, and expedited, self-certification, and over-the-counter review options.