I depend on another department as well for answers and I too have to wait," and then asked if I would "be open to an installment of a partial payment?

There are still inconsistencies in requirements, for example, the fire department may approve a property, but insurance companies might still consider it a fire risk.

They’ll let you know if everything looks up to code or if there are issues to fix.Then, head to the local building department and apply for the permits.

Go in person to the planning department and talk to them.

Fortunately for our 100+ house community, the fire department was already on site battling the brush fire and about a dozen fire fighters frantically extinguished the 4 or 5 roofs burning.This is insignificant compared to what has happened in LA, Palisades, Malibu and Altadena however having lived through Hurricane Andrew and many other major storms even this experience was drastically more terrifying and chaotic. 

Book a flight from Portland to Orlando rent a hotel and car and go to the planning department and building department in person and get to the folks that were running the permit and discuss paths to completion..

https://www.har.com/content/department/newsroom?

Once that’s confirmed, they’ll help you submit the required permits to the Department of Buildings (DOB) and get approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT), since it affects the sidewalk and street.After permits are approved, you’ll need a licensed contractor to do the construction.

I called the zoning department and they are telling me this is a Mixed use building (N zone).

At the national level, it's the best of the worst in that industry - a lot left to be desired in the customer service department but still better than doing it on your own.