How Long Does an After-the-Fact Permit Take in Florida?
After-the-fact permits can take 30 days to 6 months depending on scope, city backlog, and corrections. Here's a realistic timeline breakdown.
One of the first questions we get is “how long is this going to take?” The honest answer… it depends. Every after-the-fact permit is different, and the timeline depends on a few key factors: the corrections that need to be made, the city’s current backlog, and whether engineering is required.
Here’s a typical breakdown. Plans usually take about 2 to 4 weeks. The city review process is supposed to take 30 days by law, but right now most municipalities are short-staffed and running behind. Once we submit, there’s no guarantee it goes through on the first round. We may need to go back and forth with the city on corrections before they approve.
After approval, a final inspection is scheduled. Once everything is compliant, we close it out. Some projects require additional documentation or letters at that stage.
Start to finish, a simple project can take about 30 days or less. Something complex, like a full addition or garage conversion with electrical and plumbing involvement, could run 4 to 6 months.
The best way to keep timelines short is to act early. The longer unpermitted work sits, the more corrections tend to stack up. If you’re heading into a sale or refinance and suspect permit issues, get an evaluation now, not during escrow. We’ll break down exactly what you’re dealing with and give you a realistic timeline.
For properties already under contract, our pay-at-closing option means sellers don’t need to come out of pocket while the permit process runs.
Common questions
How long does a simple after-the-fact permit take in Florida?
A straightforward project with minimal corrections can usually be completed in about 30 days or less. This assumes the original work was mostly compliant and no engineering is required. Why do some after-the-fact permits take 4 to 6 months?Complex projects involving structural work, electrical violations, or plumbing rework require more rounds of review and correction with the city. Engineering requirements and municipality backlogs add time too. Can I speed up the after-the-fact permit process?The biggest factor is acting early. The longer unpermitted work sits, the more corrections tend to stack up. Working with a company that holds all trade licenses also eliminates delays from coordinating multiple contractors. What happens if the city rejects the first submission?It’s common. We go back and forth with the building department on corrections until the work meets code. That’s built into our process. It’s not a sign something went wrong. Can I sell my house while an after-the-fact permit is in progress?Yes. Many of our clients are mid-transaction. Our pay-at-closing option lets sellers move forward without paying out of pocket while the permit process runs. However, the actual closing cannot happen until the permit is resolved.
