Investors often ask how long a permit takes, expecting a single number. The honest answer is that the municipality is one variable among several, and rarely the decisive one.
The variables that matter
- Completeness of the initial filing. A file submitted with gaps does not sit in a queue waiting to be reviewed — it is returned, and rejoins the queue at the back. The single largest avoidable delay is an incomplete first submission.
- Whether federal approvals are on the critical path. A project needing a MIA or a ZOFEMAT concession is governed by federal timelines, not municipal ones.
- Title clarity. An unresolved question about the chain of ownership will stop a file regardless of how well the rest is prepared.
- Project classification. How a project is categorised determines which reviews apply. A misclassification discovered late means restarting the relevant track.
What this means for planning
Because the largest delays come from rework rather than from queueing, the leverage is almost entirely at the beginning. Time spent verifying title, confirming classification and assembling a complete file is not overhead — it is the schedule.
We do not publish average processing times, because a figure without the context of project type, location and file quality is more misleading than useful. For a timeline specific to your project, we give you one after assessing it.