go down to city hall and have permit in hand paid for when i walk out. The only hold up is if the general does not have building permit. or
fax in form and credit card authorization and city will (snail) mail the permit and reciept. or
one city has a fund deposit plan, as long as you have the funds in your account you can e mail your permit app and it will be mailed to you. Account is password protected. They also send you a monthly statement any time you had any account activity.
Plan checks belong to the general or owner except for design build. If design build then once your plans are approved the you can get permit.
Longest time I have had to wait for a permit was 3 days.
