Chilean regions face significant delays in building permit approvals

A study by consultancy Colliers reveals significant delays in the approval of building permits for new real estate projects in several Chilean regions outside the Metropolitan Region. The Los Lagos region recorded the longest wait times at 472 days, followed by Biobío with 437 days and O´Higgins with 430 days. In contrast, Valparaíso and Coquimbo reported the shortest processing times, both averaging 317 days.

While some regions showed improvement compared to last year—specifically Valparaíso, O´Higgins, and Los Lagos—the economic impact of these delays remains substantial. According to the report, if permit processing times returned to levels seen a decade ago, it could unlock USD 15.278 billion in national investment and create approximately 86,925 direct and indirect construction jobs. Currently, delays in obtaining permits and receptions account for 10.1% of a home's total value.