The Approval Process Nobody Explains: Planning vs Building

Planning approval and building permits are two separate things. Most homeowners don't figure that out until they're months into the process.

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Your city has two departments that both have to say yes. Planning asks what and where. Building asks how and safe. They run different clocks, apply different criteria, and come in a specific order. A planning approval is permission for the concept — not permission to build. Not every project touches planning. If you're redoing a kitchen without moving an exterior wall, you probably go straight to building. Same house, same city, completely different timeline. If you're in an HOA, that committee goes first. Their approval letter is part of what the city asks for. Before your design is locked, go make a pre-submittal visit to your planning department. That hour is the highest-return hour in your project. Whether your neighbors get a vote is a design decision you make at the table, months before anyone applies. This episode gives you the map before you need it. Worksheet in the show notes. Next episode: do I actually need a permit?

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Awakened Homeowner Book

The Awakened Homeowner Book