My first permit

This is the documentation load for a smallish project Grading Permit Application. Permitting seems to have a life of its own here, there is a lot of red tape, and a lot of paperwork.
Just so you get an idea: 5 projects, each needing a grading permit. Then there are about 5 different departments that all need individualised packets of information about the project, who all need to sign off that their little corner of the world was ok with the permit application being approved - so, a cover sheet, a checklist of what we need to consider giving them, a copy of the grading permit application signed by the client, a copy of any relevant reports, legal decisions, and atleast 1 full sized sets of drawings (15-20 pages, one department required 3 full sized sets). It took three hours to compile, and I don't know how many hours to get all the information together. I can theoretically see the point, but am surprised they're not trying to go paperless.