Showing up in person definitely has its moments, but I wouldn’t say it’s always a magic bullet. Like you said:
“Sometimes it feels like they’re just as likely to brush you off at the counter as over the phone.”
That rings true for me, especially with some of the bigger city offices. There’s been times I’ve blocked out half a day to go down there, only to find out the one person who can answer my question is “out to lunch” or just not available. That’s a rough way to lose a morning.
Here’s the approach that’s worked best for me, especially after a permit denial:
1. Review the denial letter line by line. Most offices will at least list what’s missing or needs clarification. If it’s vague, I’ll highlight those parts to ask about directly.
2. I scan and email all my docs to the main permitting address, and CC whatever specific reviewer or clerk I’ve dealt with. In the email, I’ll lay out what I’m submitting and ask if anything else is needed before I come in again. Sometimes they actually reply with helpful notes.
3. If I don’t hear back in a day or two, *then* I’ll drop by in person, but I bring printed copies of the email chain. That way, I can show I did my homework and tried to follow their process. It seems to help—at least they know you’re not just winging it.
4. If it’s a smaller town or rural office, face-to-face is usually better. Folks tend to be more patient, and you can sometimes get a quick answer rather than waiting for a callback that never comes.
I’ve noticed it really depends on the individual office culture. Some places love paper trails and will actually read your emails, others just want you to show up and talk it out. There’s no one-size-fits-all, but I’d say mixing both methods is safest. Saves a lot of frustration if you can avoid an unnecessary trip across town, especially with gas prices what they are...
Just my two cents—hope you get it sorted. The permit grind is real.
Honestly, I’ve had better luck just showing up and being a squeaky wheel. Email chains are nice, but in my experience, they get buried faster than my hopes for a quick flip. Like you said:
“Sometimes it feels like they’re just as likely to brush you off at the counter as over the phone.”
True, but at least in person, you can read the room and maybe catch someone on a good day. I’ve even brought donuts once—no shame. Sometimes face-to-face is the only way to get unstuck, especially if you’re dealing with a “gatekeeper” type.
Been there, done that, got the “denied” stamp to prove it. I swear, the first time I tried to get a permit for my 1920s bungalow, I felt like I was auditioning for some secret society—except the handshake was just a stack of paperwork and a very tired city clerk.
I’m with you on the face-to-face approach. Emails are like tossing a message in a bottle into the ocean. You might get lucky, but odds are it’s just floating out there with all my other unanswered requests. Last time I got stonewalled, I showed up with a box of pastries from the good bakery (not the grocery store stuff). Didn’t get an immediate yes, but suddenly everyone seemed a little more willing to explain what was actually wrong with my application instead of just sending me back to square one.
One thing I learned: sometimes it’s not even about the rules, it’s about how you ask. The first time around, I marched in ready for battle—big mistake. Second time, I tried asking questions like “What would you do if this were your house?” or “Is there any wiggle room here?” It’s amazing how much more helpful people get when you treat them like humans instead of obstacles.
That said, every now and then you hit a brick wall no matter what. My neighbor swears by bringing his dog along—claims nobody can say no to a golden retriever in a bandana. Haven’t tried that one yet... but desperate times.
Anyway, if you’re stuck after being denied, I’d try showing up in person (armed with snacks or charm), and see if you can get someone to walk through your application with you. Sometimes there’s just one little checkbox or missing detail holding things up. And if all else fails? Well, at least you’ll have made some new friends at city hall—or at least they’ll remember you next time.
- Been through this rodeo more times than I care to admit.
- Last year, got denied on a duplex conversion—turns out I missed a tiny zoning detail buried in the fine print.
- Agree 100%: showing up in person changes the whole vibe. I’ve had better luck when I just ask, “What’s the real hang-up here?” and let them walk me through it.
- Snacks help, but honestly, patience is key. Sometimes you just have to play their game and resubmit with every ‘i’ dotted.
- One thing I’d add: if you keep hitting a wall, ask to talk to a supervisor or planner directly. Sometimes the front desk folks just don’t have the authority to bend.
- Never tried the dog trick, but hey, whatever works...
