Afik HanahalBuilding permit
In short
The permit is the licence to build. Without it, work must not start. It is granted only if the application matches the plan and rights, after fees and levies are paid.
The professional explanation
The process: information file, application prepared by an architect/engineer, design review, approvals from authorities (fire, Home Front Command, water corporation, electricity), committee decision, payment of building fees, betterment levy and development levies, and issue of the permit. It runs through the national online licensing system.
A permit is usually valid for three years (extendable) and requires works to start within a year. On completion a certificate of completion is required ("Form 4" for connection to utilities).
Deviating from the permit (added area, change of use) may lead to stop orders, fines and difficulty selling the property.
Example from the field
On a detached-house project in Hod Hasharon, months of delay stemmed from the water corporation requiring a redesign of drainage. Professional support at the licensing stage is exactly where time and money are saved.