The final step you’ll take in the permitting process is to gather all your approvals and visados and alineamientos and planos and cadastre maps and head to the municipality to get your construction permits. Once again, all municipalities have different requirements, but even if they don’t request one of the above certifications for the granting of permits, you still need them. The time a municipality takes to grant construction permits is not significant once you have all your ducks in a row – a matter of months, perhaps.

There are ways, however, to make sure things run smoothly. Some developers opt for cash, but in addition to that being illegal, you can never be perfectly sure you’ll get what you want in return. A better way to make sure things move quickly is to get to know the mayor, throw a party for the community, and otherwise insinuate yourself into the good graces of the local people. The personal connection that comes from a hand shake and a coffee can often go further than money. Contributing to the community – by funding a school or overhauling a park – isn’t a bad idea either.