Permit Expediting is Dead: Why You Need Permit Strategy Now

Permitting in a Post-COVID World: An Overgrown Wilderness?

Have you ever felt like the permitting process has turned into an overgrown wilderness, filled with dense fog and hidden pitfalls at every turn? If so, you’re not alone. Traditional permit expediting—once the gold standard for navigating city approvals—has drastically changed since COVID-19 reshaped the permitting landscape.

The Old Way: Handshakes and Lobby Chats

In the pre-pandemic world, permit expediting was largely about relationships. Expediters would physically visit city halls, spending hours in lobbies, chatting up their contacts built over years of face-to-face interaction. Friendly conversations about family, hobbies, and weekend plans often smoothed the path for permit processing.

If something was stuck, a quick phone call usually cleared things up. City staff were generally approachable, providing informal updates and estimated timelines.

COVID-19 and the Digital Transformation: A Permanent Shift

Then came 2020. Quarantines, remote work, and counter closures forced a rapid digital transformation. Suddenly, city offices pivoted from a people-first approach to rigid, process-driven operations. Now everything had to be submitted via portals, precisely following guidelines—or face rejection and further delays.

Calling repeatedly? It no longer speeds things up; it’s more likely to annoy overwhelmed city staff.

This shift isn’t temporary. Cities discovered efficiencies in these digital-first processes, and they’re here to stay.

The New Era: Permit Strategy Over Permit Expediting

Today, permit expediting alone won’t get your project across the finish line efficiently. What you need now is a permit strategist.

A permit strategist doesn’t just submit paperwork—they understand the evolving permitting landscape. They quickly adapt to the unique processes each jurisdiction demands, ensuring your applications align with the city’s precise requirements right from the start.

Here’s how a permit strategist adds value:

• Process Mastery: They fully grasp digital submission portals, avoiding costly missteps.

• Strategic Communication: They know exactly when and how to communicate with jurisdictions to move your project forward without becoming a nuisance.

• Preparation for Success: They anticipate potential hurdles and proactively address them to ensure smoother, quicker approvals.

Cumberland Permit Strategy Group: Guiding You Forward

At Cumberland Permit Strategy Group, our philosophy is clear: map the unknown so you can proceed with certainty. We’re done with guessing games and unanswered calls. We leverage cutting-edge tools and deep industry expertise to clarify the permitting landscape.

Does this mean guaranteed approvals in record time? Not always. Permitting can still have its uncertainties. However, we promise clarity and strategic direction. You’ll always know your next steps, the timelines to expect, and how to navigate every twist and turn until your permit is in hand.

Remember, the wilderness of permitting is far less daunting when you have a reliable map and an experienced guide. Struggling with permitting? Cumberland Permit Strategy Group operates nationwide—reach out today for clear, strategic guidance.