Exponential growth in development has led to the largest number of construction permits being issued to date. Due to the high volume of applications, and other contributing issues, navigating the submittal and review process can be a lengthy, confusing, and sometimes frustrating experience, especially if not done properly. With over 30 years of experience, and a comprehensive understanding of the Denver market, at Burnham Nationwide we have the expertise to ensure your project will proceed as quickly and smoothly as possible. Outlined below are 5 key issues for consideration when applying for a permit:1. Plan on Red DelaysPlan reviews are currently taking much longer than usual to complete. Permit application volumes are at historic highs while at the same time the city, like many employers, is experiencing ongoing staffing and hiring challenges. If a project is deemed not appropriate for a walk-through review, logged-in permit reviews with Denver’s Building Department will be required and usually take between 2 to 4 weeks per round. However, large-scale residential and commercial projects may take longer, and applicants should plan on 2 to 3 months to complete a for review of their projects. There is light at the end of the tunnel though, as of March 2023 all departments are now fully staffed and working diligently to decrease any backlogs and improve overall project review times. If a permit is not approved on the first review due to incomplete documentation or the need for additional information, it can set the approval process back several weeks or sometimes months. We can't emphasize enough how crucial it is to ensure accurate plans and documents are submitted for the initial review and the potential impact on the project timeline for failing to do so.
