Work with or without permit
| Permit required | No permit |
|---|---|
| Roof (redo, replacement) | Interior / exterior paint |
| Electrical (panel, circuits) | Floating floor |
| Plumbing (drains, water heater) | Furniture |
| HVAC (replacement, ducts) | Wall decor |
| Room addition, expansion | Small cosmetic repairs |
| Pool (construction) | Existing maintenance |
| Load-bearing wall removal | Cabinets without plumb / elec |
| Impact shutters (sometimes) | Curtain rods |
Issuance process
- Plans by FL-licensed architect or engineer if needed (≥ structural project).
- Application to the building department with plans, scope of work, contractor info.
- Fees calculated on work value (% or table).
- Review by building department: 1-6 weeks.
- Permit issued with conditions and inspection schedule.
- Inspections at milestones (foundation, framing, electrical rough, plumbing rough, mechanical, final).
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued at completion.
Licensed contractor required
- For most work ≥ $2,500 or structural, a licensed contractor must sign the permit.
- Verify license: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) via myfloridalicense.com.
- Contractor must carry workers comp and liability insurance.
- Work by an unlicensed contractor = contracts may be voided, no warranty, criminal risk for contractor (F.S. §489.127).
Risks of unpermitted work
- Building department fines: often $250 to $5,000 per violation.
- Order to demolish or order to remediate if non-code-compliant.
- At sale: open permits block closing. Buyer can demand resolution ("after-the-fact permit" 2-4× normal fee).
- Insurance inspections (4-point, wind mit) may reject unpermitted work.
- Claim: insurer may refuse coverage for damage portion linked to unpermitted work.
For Canadians
- Always verify the contractor's work is permitted before paying a deposit.
- Request a copy of the issued permit (in your owner name) and the building department contact.
- No final payment until certificate of completion is issued.
- Keep copies for future sale (buyer will demand).
- Never accept "we don't need a permit for this" without confirming directly with the building department.
Formulaires officiels et pages de référence
Responsabilité du lecteur
Toujours utiliser la dernière version disponible sur le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Les seuils, taux et délais évoluent. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un professionnel licencié.
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public sources verified as of the last review date (Florida Statutes, Florida Department of Revenue, Citizens, FEMA, DBPR).
- Florida Building Code (8th edition, 2023). floridabuilding.org
- F.S. §489 — Contracting. leg.state.fl.us/§489
- DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board. myfloridalicense.com/cilb