Does a building permit expire if construction is delayed?

Yes, genuinely — building permits typically have a validity period, commonly requiring work to commence within a set timeframe (often around 12 months) and to progress without excessive extended inactivity.

If your project genuinely faces a significant delay, discussing this with your building surveyor before your permit’s validity period lapses is worth doing, since options like an extension may be available depending on your circumstances.

Letting a permit lapse without appropriate action can mean needing to reapply, potentially against updated regulations — worth avoiding by staying aware of your specific permit’s validity terms.

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