A complete construction permit includes three main pieces:
- Grade alteration permit - approval to excavate
- Development permit - certifies complaince with the Land Use By-law
- Building permit - permission to build
Then you might have some other smaller associated permits like right-of-way permits, etc.
For some projects a developer will get all of them at the same time. Other times they might split them out for various reasons. E.g. you might get grade alteration to start excavation while you're finalizing your detailed construction drawings.
Also, the biggest chunk of fees comes with the building permit, so that often gets put off to avoid having to pay the fees for as long as possible.