President and COO
Permitting in California isn’t just paperwork. It’s a potential project killer. Timelines get stretched, costs climb, and missteps with local agencies can put a deal on ice. With stricter regulations and more involved oversight, even experienced developers and GCs can run into trouble. Here’s what we’re seeing out in the field, and how to keep your project moving.
Permitting timelines vary widely depending on where you build.
In the Central Valley, cities like Modesto, Stockton, and Fresno are generally more predictable, with permit timelines often landing in the 4 to 8 week range depending on the project. Sacramento can move quickly as well, especially with ongoing efforts to streamline reviews.
In the East Bay, timelines tend to stretch longer. Cities like Livermore, Dublin, and Walnut Creek can vary significantly depending on staffing, backlog, and project complexity.
There is no “California timeline.” Every jurisdiction operates differently, and understanding that upfront can save months.
Pro Tip: Start early. Before schematic design is finalized, meet with your local planning department to understand submittal expectations, timelines, and review processes.
Statewide requirements like Title 24, CALGreen, and CEQA still play a major role in permitting timelines.
Energy compliance, all electric systems, and sustainability requirements are becoming standard across most commercial projects. Depending on your scope, these can add complexity and additional review time. If your project triggers CEQA, you can expect a significant impact on your schedule.
Working with experienced consultants and making sure your documents are complete the first time goes a long way in avoiding unnecessary delays.
One of the biggest schedule killers we see is multiple rounds of plan check.
Incomplete drawings, lack of coordination, or missing details can lead to repeated comments and resubmittals. Each round can add several weeks, and sometimes longer depending on the jurisdiction.
Another factor that catches teams off guard is when cities use third party plan check agencies. While this can help cities manage workload, it can also introduce additional layers of review, inconsistent comments, and longer turnaround times if not managed closely.
The more coordinated and complete your initial submittal is, the better your chances of getting through review efficiently.
Even with online portals and digital submissions, relationships still matter.
In many Central Valley jurisdictions, having a good working relationship with plan checkers, inspectors, and permitting staff can make a noticeable difference. In the East Bay, where departments are often busier, communication becomes even more critical.
Following up, asking questions, and staying engaged throughout the process can help keep your project from sitting idle in a queue.
Permitting delays are not just frustrating. They are expensive.
In many cases, projects can carry costs of $1,000 to $2,500 per day during delays. Over the course of a few months, that can translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars in added interest, overhead, and lost opportunity.
And that does not include escalation in materials or missed lease up timing.
Pro Tip: Build realistic permitting timelines into your pro forma. Hope for the best, but plan for delays.
There has been real movement in California toward streamlining approvals, but it is not universal.
State laws like SB 35, SB 423, and AB 2234 are pushing jurisdictions to approve certain housing and infill projects faster, especially when they meet specific criteria.
Locally, some cities are improving internal processes. Sacramento continues to push for faster plan reviews, and San José has programs that reward well prepared submissions.
Still, these advantages depend heavily on the project type and location.
We’ve seen how permitting can stall even the best planned projects. If you’re planning a commercial, industrial, or multifamily build in the Central Valley or East Bay, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls and keep things moving.
Give me a call or send me an email. Always happy to share what’s working and what to watch out for across the region.
Email me at: j.simile@similebuilt.com.
Joseph J. Simile
President, Simile Construction
209.545.6111
