The NAIOP Development Approvals Index: A New Tool to Evaluate Local Approvals Processes

March 4, 2021


A vital step in the development process, obtaining entitlements and permits can present substantial risks. Jurisdictions that have slow, inconsistent, and unpredictable development approvals processes increase costs for projects and may divert development to neighboring communities.

Since information about approvals processes in different jurisdictions is often limited, developers who are new to an area often lack critical information that would allow them to evaluate whether a new project would be viable.

The NAIOP Research Foundation commissioned the creation of an index that compares development approvals processes in different jurisdictions so that developers can make more informed investment decisions and local governments can benchmark their processes against neighboring jurisdictions.

The resulting Development Approvals Index spreadsheet allows users to collect and compare information about processes in different localities. The accompanying report describes the research behind the Index, explains how to use it, and discusses potential applications. The Index’s design is informed by an analysis of local approvals processes and interviews with developers.

NAIOP Report on Development Approvals Index (PDF)
NAIOP Development Approvals Spreadsheet (Excel file)