How long does a building permit take, and is it the same in every municipality?

There is no nationwide deadline: the Municipal Code gives each council its own regulatory powers, and the procedure ranges from a digital portal to paper files. Guatemala City runs the Construction One-Stop Window (physical, at the Municipal Palace, and online at vu.muniguate.com) with inquiries, feasibility checks and forms available online; some 10 institutions take part and the quoted timeline is 30-60 working days (~2 months with a correct file); the regulation was amended for economic reactivation. Villa Nueva publishes forms by type of works and has an electronic window; Mixco requires conforming land use, a municipal clearance certificate, property tax (IUSI) paid up to date and plans signed by a licensed professional under its regulation (Council Minute 111-2018); Quetzaltenango has a heavy multi-agency process with a 'fast-track window' only for small projects (not verified). Q/m² fee schedules compared across municipalities have not been compiled.