News / Polls
Wyoming Businesses Agree: Wyoming's Permitting System Needs an Overhaul
Overview
We asked Wyoming’s business community what they think about the state’s permitting system, and the results confirmed what many already suspected: Wyoming’s permitting process is in serious need of an overhaul.​
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The survey reveals a clear dissatisfaction trend with Wyoming's permitting process, with many respondents rating their satisfaction as "very dissatisfied" or "somewhat dissatisfied." There are very few neutral or positive sentiments, indicating widespread frustration.
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Most respondents (nearly all) agree that reforming the permitting process is extremely important to support business growth and economic development in Wyoming. This signals a strong consensus on the need for change at the policy level.
Impact of Permitting Delays on Business Growth
Permitting delays are widely reported as significantly or somewhat hindering business growth. Several respondents specify that these delays have caused financial losses, stalled projects, or even led to abandoning projects entirely.
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The consistent mention of "costly" delays and "timeline uncertainty" emphasizes that the current process is not only inefficient but also has real economic consequences for businesses and communities. This affects not only private enterprises but also broader community development.
Top Issues with Current Permitting Process
The key concerns identified include:
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Excessive red tape and bureaucracy: Respondents repeatedly describe the permitting process as mired in unnecessary complexity and overlapping requirements.
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Lack of predictability and transparency: Applicants don't know how long approvals will take or what exact requirements apply. Conflicting informations and inconsistent application of rules from different departments are common complaints.
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Interagency delays and poor communication: The process involves multiple agencies that do not coordinate efficiently, causing prolonged review periods and confusion.
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Insufficient stakeholder input: Business owners fell left out of the decision making and reform discussions, leading to reforms that do not address real-world challenges.
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Zoning restrictions: Some respondents express frustration with zoning laws perceived as rigid and misaligned with local economic needs, particularly for commercial development.
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These points reflect a systematic problem where the permitting process acts as a bottleneck rather than a facilitator.
Desired Principles for Reform
The top priorities identified for reform are:
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Efficiency: Streamlining procedures, eliminating unnecessary steps, and ensuring faster turnaround times.
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Predictability: Having clear, published timelines and requirements so businesses can plan accurately.
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Transparency: Clear communication, accessible information, and straightforward instructions in plain language.
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Stakeholder input: Involving businesses directly in the design and ongoing evaluation of the permitting system.
What a Streamlined Permitting Process Looks Like
This blueprint aligns with best practices on other states, providing a modern permitting system for businesses:
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A centralized online portal with one login for applications, fee payments, scheduling inspections, and status tracking.
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Automated notifications and clear status updates to reduce uncertainty.
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Parallel departmental reviews and internal deadlines to reduce multi-agency delays.
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Tiered permit tracks, such as fast-track for small projects and expedited lanes for large projects.
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Published checklists, templates, and pre-approved designs to avoid repeated back-and-forth.
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Real-time scheduling and certification for minor inspections.
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Publicly posted performance metrics and applicant feedback loops to promote accountability.
Role of Wyoming's Business Community in Reform
Respondents overwhelmingly believe the business community should play an active role in shaping permitting reform by:
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Serving as the voice of reality, providing real data and case studies on how delays hurt economic growth.
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Participating in task forces and advisory committees to co-design the system.
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Holding government accountable through transparency demands and performance tracking.
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Providing economic context to lawmakers to highlight cost of delays.
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Championing reforms that prioritize predictability and efficiency over speed alone.
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Supporting pilot programs and providing feedback to improve implementation.
Summary
The survey responses paint a clear and urgent picture: Wyoming’s current permitting process is perceived as inefficient, unpredictable, and overly bureaucratic. This hinders business growth, costs money, and dampens economic development opportunities. There is strong agreement that reform is critically needed.
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Respondents articulate a clear vision for a streamlined, modernized permitting system—one that leverages technology, promotes transparency, reduces unnecessary steps, and involves the business community directly in the reform process.
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To capitalize on this momentum, Wyoming’s policymakers and reform advocates should:
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Improve outreach and education about existing reform initiatives.
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Establish centralized, online, user-friendly permit systems.
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Define and publish clear, enforceable timelines.
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Create feedback mechanisms and accountability metrics.
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Engage business stakeholders in co-design and oversight roles.
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Address zoning and regulatory barriers with an eye toward economic opportunity.
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Doing so will help Wyoming unlock investment, accelerate development, and compete more effectively as a business-friendly state.
Building a Stronger Wyoming, Starting with Permitting Reform
Wyoming has the land, the resources, and the will. What we need is a system that lets us use them — before opportunity passes us by. Permit to Prosper is our statewide push to modernize Wyoming’s permitting process so businesses can build faster, communities can grow stronger, and our state can compete in a global market.
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Through Permit to Prosper and our partnership in the U.S. Chamber’s Permit America to Build coalition, we’re carrying a clear message: Let business build. Wyoming businesses are ready to invest, innovate, and grow — but outdated, unpredictable permitting slows progress.
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​​​We’re advocating for reform built on four principles: predictability, efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder input. These aren’t partisan ideas, they’re practical solutions Wyoming needs now.​ It’s time to turn red tape into green lights. Join us in building Wyoming’s future: faster, smarter, and together.