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Which brand are you looking at?

Every step after this uses it, so nothing gets asked twice.

Brand name

Type of business

County

Still choosing? Compare brands in Step 1 →

0 of 6 steps done

Step 4 of 6 · 2 to 3 minutes

We show how long permits can take and what waiting costs you.

On this page: Enter the date you expect to turn in your permit papers.

Still needed: Open Step 4: Permits →Enter when you expect to submit your permit application. It decides which building code applies, and lets the cost of waiting be worked out.

What you will learn, and what goes into your PDF

You will learnThe legal permit deadline, and what each month of delay costs.

Your PDF getsYour permit clock and the cost of waiting

Site: still searchingFit score: not scored yetBuild cost: not worked out yet

Stuck? Email Rohane Call (305) 564-2427 Create a free account to save your workNeed just one tool? See all tools

Zone Report · Step 4 of 6 · Permits & code

Permit: which rules apply, and how long it can take

Three quick checks for South Florida franchise buildouts. Each shows its source. Confirm details with your building department and design professionals.

DATA-DRIVEN DECISION CHECKSee what waiting could cost your project →Use your materials budget and test 1–8 quarters against the latest cited construction-input trend.

Your project

Saved in this browser and carried to your Site Brief.

Type of brand

County

City

Size (SF)

Space condition

Your project context will appear here after you enter a brand and category in Step 1.

Your permit context

Carrying forward your project. This step adds the code-date requirement and permit timing evidence to the same project record used by Step 5 and the final package.

Code Edition Checker

Changes Dec 31, 2026

When will you submit your permit application?

Pick a date to see which edition applies.

Source: 2026 Florida Building Code, 9th Edition (ICC); Florida Building Commission. Last verified Oct 13, 2026.

Your permit clock

60business days, legal maximum

For a nonresidential building under 25,000 SF, the local government must approve or deny within 60 business days of a complete and sufficient application. If it misses the deadline, the permit fee is reduced 10% for each business day late.

Date you submit a complete application

Using a private provider? See the 10-business-day path below. Typical review times by city are in Permit Intel (ClearBuild field estimates, not guarantees).

Source: Fla. Stat. §553.792. Last verified Oct 13, 2026.

COST OF WAITING CALCULATOR

What could a delay add to your materials budget?

BLS PPI DATA

~2.7%implied increase per quarter*

Nonresidential construction input prices were up 11.2% year over year in Sep 2026. The calculator converts that annual rate into an implied quarterly rate. Enter your materials budget and test the delay that matters to you.

Your materials budget ($), from your estimate or bidIf the project starts later by…

Don't let the number stay theoretical.Use this signal to decide whether your next move should be site validation, permitting, budgeting, or getting a construction bid.Build My Site Brief →

*Projection only. It assumes the cited annual index rate continues and compounds quarterly; it is not a bid, forecast, or guaranteed future price. Need a budget? Run the Buildout Estimator.

Source: ABC analysis of BLS Producer Price Index data (published Oct 15, 2026).

Faster path: a private provider

New law since Jul 1, 2026

10business days to issue or flag problems, with a sealed private-provider review

When a licensed engineer or architect acting as your private provider seals the plan-review affidavit, the building official must issue the permit or send specific written deficiencies within 10 business days. If no notice arrives in time, the permit is deemed approved and must be issued the next business day. The building department may still check local ordinances, flood rules, site review and life safety.

Lower permit fees. For a commercial project, the permit fee must drop by at least 25% of the part tied to the plans review or inspections the private provider does. If the private provider does all plans review and inspections, the cut is at least 50% of what would have been charged for those services. A building department that does not make the cut loses the right to collect any fee for that project.

The Florida Building Commission must adopt one statewide commercial permit application by Jul 1, 2027.

A private provider is a separate hire with its own fee. Ask your architect or GC whether the time saved is worth it for your jurisdiction.