The Short Answer
After a permit application is submitted, the building department logs it, places it in the plan review queue, and assigns reviewers to check the documents against the applicable codes. Reviewers issue written comments identifying corrections or clarifications, the design team responds and resubmits revised documents, and the review repeats until every discipline is cleared. Once all comments are resolved and any related approvals (zoning, fire, health) are in place, the permit is issued and construction can begin — followed by field inspections that verify the work matches the approved design.
The Stages of the Process
Intake and Queue
The jurisdiction confirms the application is complete and assigns it to review. Some cities offer expedited or same-day review for small scopes; larger projects enter a queue where wait times vary by workload and season.
Plan Review
Reviewers evaluate each discipline — structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil — plus planning, fire, and other departments as applicable. They check code compliance, completeness, coordination, and proper sealing, then compile their comments.
Comments and Revisions
The design team receives the comment letter and addresses each item, revising and re-sealing documents where changes are made and providing written clarifications where the design is already compliant. The revised set is resubmitted and re-reviewed. Most projects go through one to three cycles.
Approval and Permit Issuance
When all reviewers are satisfied and fees are paid, the jurisdiction issues the permit. The approved, stamped documents become the record set for construction.
After the Permit Is Issued
Approval is not the end of the engineer's involvement. During construction, the jurisdiction conducts field inspections at defined milestones to confirm the work is built per the approved documents. Questions can arise in the field — an unexpected existing condition, a substitution request, or a coordination issue — and the engineer of record may issue clarifications or revisions. Some projects also require special inspection of specific structural elements.
When It Applies
This process applies to any project requiring a building permit with engineered scope. The number and length of stages scale with project complexity and the jurisdiction's procedures. Planning for realistic review timelines — rather than assuming instant approval — is one of the most important parts of managing a construction schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whole process take?
It varies widely by jurisdiction and project size. Small projects may clear quickly; complex projects can take multiple cycles over several weeks. We help clients build realistic schedules.
Does the engineer stay involved after submission?
Yes. We respond to plan check comments and, once the permit is issued, support construction with clarifications and revisions within our scope.
What are field inspections checking?
Inspectors verify that construction matches the approved, stamped documents at key milestones. Certain elements may also require special inspection.