Getting permits approved can be complicated, and multiple forces can contribute to delays. We recently polled our LinkedIn network, what specifically is the toughest part of permitting? A striking 72% of respondents said “unclear permit requirements.”

It’s clear that many teams feel in the dark when it comes to permitting. While it’s easy to point fingers at slow-moving bureaucracies, the reality is more nuanced. The American permitting system is a web of historical, procedural, and technological challenges..but new solutions are starting to change that.

It’s not just AHJs—building permit applications are complex for many reasons

In the past, we’ve broken down why permitting is a modern labyrinth of complexity. TLDR: it’s the result of many layers of policy, process, and people.

1. Complex and evolving regulations

Humans tend to solve problems by adding—not subtracting. In construction, this has translated into centuries of accumulated codes and laws. Permits, inspections, and reviews are all necessary processes wrapped in red tape, but incidents like afatal 2023 parking garage collapse in Manhattan is a reminder of why they’re absolutely necessary.

On top of that, building codes and zoning laws are frequently updated or amended, making it impossible to keep up with regulations.

2. Lack of standardization across jurisdictions

Counties, cities, and states govern their own permitting processes, which means there’s no standard across the US, or even within a state.

Last year, when we asked hundreds of builders to place a pin on the hardest jurisdictions to permit in. Our "Permitting Map of Shame" had the most pins in:

• California
• New York
• Texas
• Colorado
• Florida

This map is no surprise: the top states are either home to complex regulatory systems, or are experiencing rapid development and overwhelmed by a high volume of submissions.

3. Outdated technology

We may have sent humans to the moon over 50 years ago, but by 2020, most US cities didn’t accept PDFs of permit submissions online.

Permitting software for cities are still either clunky or non-existent. In our recent interview with Kate McGee, a former San Francisco city planner, Kate shared insight into why governments are slow to change: cities carry enormous responsibility, and one bad decision can have significant legal and safety consequences.

So, what can be done for more transparency?

Greater city and state-wide reform is critical—but it is also slow and out of project teams' control. That doesn’t mean you're powerless. There are practical ways teams can work within the systems we have to reduce friction and avoid surprises. This is why Pulley was created: to help project teams break ground faster and stay on track of their permitting.

Building a permit database

Every time Pulley permits in a new city or county, we document the requirements. Over time, this turns into a living library we use to keep improving and create more accurate project plans.

Proactive check-ins with AHJs

Pulley’s team of licensed permitting leads take the time to reach out to AHJs to schedule check-ins and verify requirements. This frees up project teams to focus on delivery, rather than getting lost in the maze of bureaucracy.

Tap into local expertise

When we encounter particularly difficult jurisdictions, we leverage our Expert Network, a web of former city officials who know the ins and outs of specific jurisdictions. Their insights help us get past big roadblocks and move forward faster.

With Pulley's help, Hibbett Sports shaved over 110 days from their permitting timeline and generated an additional $200K in revenue by opening in time for Black Friday.

Bringing clarity to permitting

Feeling lost in unclear permit requirements doesn’t have to be a status quo for project teams.

Solutions are available to make permitting faster and more predictable. With better tools, more collaboration, and documentation, we can make the permitting process feel a lot less opaque (and even predictable).

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