Developing a reference building permit process model

As countries seek to modernize regulatory frameworks and streamline construction approvals, digital building permitting has emerged as a key area of innovation. However, a lack of shared process models, inconsistent terminology, and the assumption that building permitting processes are too context-specific to generalize have hindered progress toward common digital solutions. This paper proposes a reference model of the building permit process, developed through Design Science Research based on 17 European jurisdictions and validated with international expert panels. Drawing on the ISO-based Information Delivery Manual (IDM) framework and expressed in Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN), the model captures recurring patterns of information exchange, stakeholder involvement, and four key decision points – ranging from the necessity and validity of a submission to its compliance and acceptance. This research provides a foundation for the future development of supported and automated compliance checking and decision support systems, offering a scalable approach to digitalizing building permitting workflows while respecting local regulatory contexts.