The planning department was a breeze compared to what we would encounter at the building department for our city.  Everything was efficiently reviewed in the planning department within six weeks.  Getting approval from the building department and being issued our permits would take six months - to our utter dismay.  It was almost always expected that there would be redline notes on our plans.  Our architect had warned us that no plan every submitted would come back with immediate approval not matter how simple the project.

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