By Hannah Dutrow - AGPROfessionals Land Planner, Specializing in Agricultural and Rural Land-Use and Development Permitting

Getting land use approval often feels like the finish line, but in reality, it’s just the beginning. This is where your project truly begins to take shape as it moves into construction.

Construction permitting is not a single approval; it’s a coordinated process involving multiple permits that may proceed concurrently.

Common required permits include:

Right-of-Way / Public Space Permits:

For work within public roads or rights-of-way, including utility crossings or roadway improvements.

Access Permits:

Determines how your site connects to the roadway, including driveway location, sight distance, and required improvements.

Building Permits:

Required for structures and focused on code compliance and safety.

Grading and Stormwater Permits:

Addressing drainage, erosion control, and site disturbance.

Utility Permits:

Coordinating water, sewer, septic, and power services.

Specialized Permits (when applicable):

Including floodplain development, dewatering, construction stormwater, or state-level reviews.

Most of these permits rely on detailed construction drawings, drainage plans, surveys, and sometimes traffic control measures.

The challenge?

These approvals may not happen in a straight line. Multiple agencies, overlapping review timelines, and interdependent permits can all influence how a project moves forward, and how quickly. Timelines can vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction and project type.