How Long Does It Take to Get a Restaurant Permit in Austin?
Based on data from 20 restaurant projects near Austin’s Triangle area (2022–2025), the average permitting time is about 112 days, with nearly half taking over 120 days. This insight helps restaurant owners better negotiate free rent periods and plan realistic project timelines.
Recently, a client asked us to provide data on how long it typically takes to get a restaurant permit approved in Austin?
They were negotiating with their landlord for a free rent period and needed real-world numbers to support their request. Naturally, we were curious too — so we dug into our records and analyzed 20 recent restaurant permits filed between 2022 and 2025 in and around the Triangle area of Austin. The results were both insightful — and surprisingly consistent.
Average Review Time
After filtering out a few unusual outliers (projects that took over a year due to major changes or delays), we found that the average restaurant permit review time in Austin is:
≈ 112 days (3.7 months) from permit submission to approval
This reflects the typical timeline for a range of projects — from quick-service cafés and tenant finish-outs to more complex remodels with hoods and MEP work.
Review Time Distribution
To better understand the landscape, we categorized the review times into four brackets:
Review Time Range
< 60 days = 16.7%
60–90 days = 27.8%
90–120 days = 11.1%
> 120 days = 44.4%
While a small portion of projects wrapped up in under 2 months, the majority fell between 60 and 120 days — and nearly half took longer than 120 days, largely due to plan revisions or scope updates during review.
Why This Matters
If you're a restaurant owner signing a lease, these numbers are powerful:
They help set realistic expectations on when construction can begin
They support negotiations with landlords for free rent or loan periods
They encourage building in extra time for coordination and revisions
Permitting in Austin isn’t lightning fast — but it's manageable with the right strategy and team in place.
How M41 Studio Helps
At M41 Studio, we’ve designed and permitted dozens of restaurant and hospitality projects across Austin — including:
Boba tea shops, coffee houses, donut stores, and ramen bars
Remodels in multi-tenant retail centers, standalone buildings, and change-of-use conversions
Detailed coordination for MEP systems, ADA compliance, and Health Dept. approvals
We know the City of Austin’s permit process inside out — and we tailor our approach to help clients move quickly, avoid surprises, and get permitted as efficiently as possible.
Planning a restaurant project?
Let’s talk. Whether you need schematic design, permit sets, or end-to-end architectural services, we’re here to help!
