Review Turnaround Times and Performance Dashboards


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Volume and Duration Review Benchmarks Review Cycles (Submittals) Typical Intake Time How to Use the Dashboards

Providing high-quality service and support is an important part of the services Planning and Development offers its customers. These performance dashboards are available to show important benchmarks during the development review process, including permit reviews and site plan reviews. They feature a snapshot of average intake times, application review times, and other relevant data to help applicants better understand typical processing times and set realistic expectations.

Volume and Duration

This performance dashboard provides a complete view of the number of applications currently under review and how long it takes to complete the review process.

Depending on the application type, this may include building permits, trade permits, zoning permits, site plans, subdivisions, or other land development applications.

The processing time is determined by how long each of the following steps take:

  1. Application(s) Submission
  2. Initial Review
  3. Applicant Resubmission (if required)
  4. Subsequent Review(s) and Final Review

For applications not self-submitted in the Permit and Development Portal, processing time starts when the complete application is entered by staff.

Review Benchmarks

Planning and Development has set internal deadlines (benchmarks) for review processes based on industry trends and historical performance. These performance dashboards show target review timeframes for different applications.

Benchmarks represent goals, not guaranteed turnaround times, and are intended to provide general guidance. The City of Raleigh remains committed to maintaining a high quality level of service and support.

Project TypeFirst Review (in business days)Additional Review(s) (in business days)
Residential project examples
Decks, porches, pools, spas, alteration & repairs, single trade permits, demolitions33
Additions and accessory structures75
New residential single family, duplex, or townhouse105
Plan revisions55
Non-Residential project examples
New buildings, additions, or change of use1510
Alterations & Repairs, interior fit-ups, accessary structures105
Plan revisions, shop drawings, single trade permits, demolitions55
Land Development
Development plan approvals such as administrative site review (Tier 2 or Tier 3), preliminary subdivision2015
Recorded maps (Boundary surveys, exempt maps, recombinations, tree conservation areas, transit easement maps, and right-of-way dedications, not related to the development plan.)55
Recorded maps (Map related to the approved development plan, subdivision, site plan, or master plan.)105
Site permit review1510
Site permit review revisions1010
Mass grading77
Legal document review of City locked forms1010
Flood study3030
Zoning Review
Non-residential zoning permits55
Non-construction zoning permits, temporary events, and residential fences33
Final Review
Final Review for all project types (last quality control check before a permit is issued, this happens after all other review are complete)1-31-3

The review cycle depends on the complexity level of the project and the number of reviewers required. Each review cycle is made up of comments from multiple staff experts, sometimes a dozen or more depending on the version or complexity of the application. If comments from even a single staff member are late, the entire round of reviews misses the benchmark.

Review Cycles (Submittals)

Many applications require multiple review cycles to ensure all applicable standards are met. Each review cycle (or “submittal”) includes coordinated feedback from multiple subject-matter experts across the City.

At the end of each review cycle, staff comments are provided to the applicant to make the required changes for the next resubmittal. This process repeats until the application meets all the criteria for approval.

If the application process takes more than three submittals, the Planning and Development staff will reach out to provide guidance and help resolve any remaining issues.

Typical Intake Time

The application submission process, or “intake,” is the period between when an application is first received and when it is routed to staff for review. Intake time can vary based on application type, submittal method, complexity of the request, and completeness of the materials provided. Understanding typical intake times by the submittal method can help applicants better plan their projects and set realistic expectations. Intake benchmarks represent goals and are not guaranteed timelines.

Typical Intake Time by Application Submittal Method
Submittal Method Estimated Turnaround 
(in business days)
Residential and Non-Residential Projects submitted to the Permit and Development Portal 3-5
Residential Projects submitted to Downtownds@raleighnc.gov 3-5
Non-Residential Projects submitted to Commercialbuilding@raleighnc.gov 5-7
Land Development Review projects submitted to Sitereview@raleighnc.gov 3-5

How to Use the Dashboards

Info Tab

  • Users can click on the info tab to get more details. Info Button
  • The dashboards group similar application types into categories to support meaningful comparisons. These groupings are explained in the Info tab for each dashboard.
  • A general disclaimer about the data is provided.

Filtering and Summarizing the Data

  • The selected data can either be Permits (green) or Site Plans (blue).
  • The dashboards display data from 2021 to the present (up to the last completed quarter). Users can filter the data by time period, application type, and review category.
  • Filters are available to view either residential or non-residential data for permits.
  • The summary method (average or median) can be selected to support different analytical needs.
  • filter screenshot

Hover

  • By hovering over the permit review categories, users can see more details about specific types of work.hover screenshot

Contact

 

Planning and Development
Customer Service Center
Need Help?
Submit to Ask Raleigh
919-996-2500

Department:
Planning and Development
Related Services:
How to Get a Residential PermitCommercial Permits: New Buildings and Additions

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