How do I get a building permit in Florida?

Florida law says a building may not be built, altered, repaired or demolished without a permit from the local enforcing agency. In Pinellas County, for example, the Property Appraiser's website (727-464-3207) shows whether a parcel is in a city or the unincorporated county, and permit questions go to that area's building department.

Each building department must post on its website every type of permit application, with the drawings and attachments each one needs. It must accept applications, payments and attachments electronically, and it may also take paper applications in person. It cannot issue the permit until its building official or inspector has reviewed the plans and found that they meet the Florida Building Code. If the plans do not comply, it must name the parts that do not comply and the code sections involved. Inspection requests must also be accepted electronically.

State law requires construction to be done by a licensed contractor, with some exceptions. An owner can act as owner-builder on a one-family or two-family home, a farm outbuilding, or a commercial building costing $75,000 or less, for the owner's own use and not for sale or lease. The owner must sign a disclosure statement, personally appear and sign the permit application, and supervise the work on site. Selling or leasing the building within 1 year after it is finished creates a presumption it was built for sale or lease.

For a single-family home, the local government must waive the permit for work valued under $7,500 if the owner or contractor asks in writing, but not in a flood hazard area and not for electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work. That does not cover electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work, or property in a flood hazard area.

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