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1. What are prior approvals and how do they affect me getting a construction permit?

Prior Approvals are approvals from agencies outside the Building Department. For example the Planning and Zoning Departments, Health Departments, State Agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection, Healthcare and Educational Plan Review or Elevator Safety Unit. In order to issue a Construction Permit, these prior approvals must be in place.

2. What are the most common reasons a permit is denied or delayed?

By far the number one reason a construction permit is denied or delayed is that it is submitted incomplete. For example you file a permit for a bathroom renovation but omit filing an electrical or plumbing permit for that work. Despite having code compliant plans and a building permit filed we cannot issue permits for that which we haven't received a complete application. Moral to the story, make sure your application is 100% complete, those that are get processed the fastest.