There has been continuous usage of land or structures (other than homes) for more than ten years. For more than four years, construction or other operations have been finished. Construction usually takes three to six months after application is made. Other factors such as public inquiries, etc also contribute to the delay. A building permit is required before any work can be done on a new house. The process involves several steps and can take up to a year from start to finish. The time it takes to get your building permit depends on the size of the project and the type of permit needed. Most building permits include some form of inspection by the local government agency responsible for reviewing development plans. If there are problems with the design or structure, they will most likely reject the plan and you will need to begin the process over again. Building permits are issued by your local government authority, which varies by state. They can be found by contacting the authority that reviews development plans in your area. They will tell you what types of permits are needed for your project and how to go about getting them. Some authorities may even be willing to give you advice on how to save time while still meeting all requirements. It is important to remember that a building permit is only valid for one year.