The permit covers the same items regardless of how long the file takes to move: egress windows, minimum ceiling height, fire separation from the main unit, and in many cases a separate entrance. A straightforward conversion in an existing basement with those elements already in place tends to move faster than new construction or a layout that needs structural changes.
Delays usually come from an incomplete application or a design that does not meet code on the first submission, not from the queue itself, so having drawings and details ready before you apply is the biggest lever you actually control.
A permitted secondary suite adds real value that an online estimate cannot see, while an unpermitted one can add close to zero. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.