For years, homeowners and builders have been trapped in a cycle of waiting — waiting for permits, waiting for inspections, and waiting for approvals that can take months or even years to arrive. Now, policymakers across the country are taking a fresh look at outdated permitting processes, and they’re beginning to cut the red tape that has made building so costly.

With support from homeowners, environmental advocates, and small businesses alike, reforming outdated permitting systems is becoming a bipartisan, cross-industry priority.