Phased Permit

A building permit issued in stages that allows construction to begin on early phases of work — such as foundations — before the complete building plans are fully reviewed and approved.

What is a Phased Permit?

A phased permit (also called an early start permit) is an arrangement that allows a developer to begin construction on certain phases of a project before the complete set of construction documents has been reviewed and approved. The most common example is a foundation-only permit that authorizes excavation and foundation work while the superstructure design is still under plan review.

Common Phases

Phased permits are typically issued for: site grading and excavation, foundations and below-grade structures, structural framing, and core and shell construction. Each phase requires its own plan review and approval. Subsequent phases cannot proceed until their plans are approved and the corresponding permit is issued.

Benefits for Developers

Phased permits can significantly compress project timelines by allowing construction to begin months earlier than waiting for complete plan approval. On a large commercial project, beginning foundation work while the upper floors are still under review can save 3-6 months of schedule time — translating directly to reduced carrying costs and earlier revenue.

Risks and Considerations

The primary risk is that later phases may require design changes that conflict with work already completed under earlier phase permits. If the final building design changes materially during plan review, foundation or structural work may need to be modified — an expensive proposition. Phased permits also typically require the applicant to acknowledge this risk in writing.