If you’re planning a remodel or building a new project in the Bay Area, one thing you should expect is that the permit process can take time — in many cities, much longer than most people anticipate.

⏳ The Reality in San Francisco

Recent data shows that permit approval times in San Francisco have improved somewhat. Planning departments have cut their median review time from ~222 days down to ~133 days, and building review times have also dropped (from ~258 to ~209 days).  

Still, many applications fall outside those “targets,” especially during first reviews.  

🏗 Why Delays Happen

Permit delays are rarely about a single failure — several small issues stack up:

    •    Incomplete or inaccurate submissions — missing documents or misdrawn plans require resubmission.

    •    Overloaded city staff — many departments are understaffed, causing backlog.  

    •    Special reviews & rechecks — some work requires zoning, historical, or environmental reviews.

    •    Resubmission cycles — one small correction can send the application back, resetting parts of the review.

🛠 Strategies to Shorten Delay Time

As someone who coordinates projects and works with cities frequently, here’s what I do to help minimize delays:

    1.    Double-check every submission for completeness before sending it to the city.

    2.    Use a good checklist (plans, structural, site, energy etc.) so nothing is missing.

    3.    Maintain open communication with city staff — respond quickly to requests or clarifications.

    4.    Work with an experienced project coordinator (like me) who knows what red flags cities often call out.

    5.    Plan buffer time into your schedule — expect delays of weeks to months and don’t build the project timeline without that