How Does Florida Permit Help Work?
Three simple steps between you and your building permit.
Tell us about your project
Fill out a quick form with your county, permit type, and what you're building. Takes about 60 seconds.
We match you with an experienced permit pro
We connect you with a permit professional who knows your county's process, timeline, and building department inside and out.
They pull it, you build
Your permit pro handles the application, plan review, corrections, and pickup. You focus on your project.
Why Should You Hire a Permit Professional in Florida?
Florida's building code is one of the strictest in the country, shaped by decades of hurricanes, tropical storms, and flood damage. Every county has its own building department, its own online portal, and its own set of quirks. A experienced permit professional saves you time, avoids costly mistakes, and keeps your project moving forward.
They know your county's specific requirements, fee schedules, and submission quirks
They handle plan review corrections so you don't get stuck in expensive revision loops
They save you hours of sitting in county offices or navigating confusing online permit portals
They catch application mistakes before submission, so fewer rejections and faster approvals
They manage the NOC filing, permit pickup, and inspection coordination from start to finish
They file permits in your county every week, so they know what gets approved quickly
According to the Florida Building Commission, the Florida Building Code is updated on a regular cycle, and county building departments enforce it locally. A permit pro stays current so you don't have to.
How the Florida Building Permit Process Works
Every construction project in Florida — from a simple roof replacement to a full room addition — requires a building permit from your local county building department. The process follows the Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023), which is based on the International Building Code with Florida-specific amendments for wind resistance, flood zones, and energy efficiency.
The typical permit process involves five key steps:
- Submit your application with plans and specifications
- Pay county permit fees
- Wait for plan review
- Address any correction comments
- Receive your approved permit
Depending on the project type and county workload, this can take anywhere from one business day to six weeks. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), all permitted work must be performed by or supervised by a licensed contractor.
Many Florida counties now offer online permitting portals — like Hillsborough County's Accela portal and Pasco County's ePermitting system. But navigating these portals for the first time is confusing, and a single missing document can send you back to square one. That's exactly why homeowners use a permit professional.
Permit Help in Your Florida County
We serve all 67 Florida counties, from the Panhandle to the Keys. Below are some of the highest-volume permit counties we work with.
Hillsborough County
Tampa Bay · Tampa
Pasco County
Tampa Bay · Dade City
Lee County
Southwest Florida · Fort Myers
Polk County
Central Florida · Bartow
Pinellas County
Tampa Bay · Clearwater
Manatee County
Tampa Bay · Bradenton
Sarasota County
Tampa Bay · Sarasota
St. Johns County
Northeast Florida · St. Augustine
Duval County
Northeast Florida · Jacksonville
Orange County
Central Florida · Orlando
Hernando County
Tampa Bay · Brooksville
Citrus County
Nature Coast · Inverness
Brevard County
Space Coast · Titusville
Broward County
South Florida · Fort Lauderdale
Miami-Dade County
South Florida · Miami
Volusia County
Central Florida · DeLand
Common Florida Building Permit Types
Different projects require different permits. Whether you need a roof permit, pool permit, or electrical permit, we match you with a pro who specializes in your permit type and county.
Roof Permit
Full roof replacement or major roof repair
Typical timeline: 1-3 business days for approval
Re-Roof Permit
Overlay or tear-off and replace of existing roof covering
Typical timeline: 1-3 business days
Pool Permit
New pool or spa construction, including decking and enclosure
Typical timeline: 2-4 weeks including plan review
Fence Permit
New fence installation or replacement over a certain height
Typical timeline: 1-5 business days
Shed / Accessory Structure Permit
Detached sheds, workshops, or accessory buildings over 120 sq ft
Typical timeline: 1-2 weeks
Room Addition Permit
Adding livable square footage to an existing structure
Typical timeline: 3-6 weeks for plan review
Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit
Screened-in patio, lanai, or pool cage
Typical timeline: 1-3 weeks
Electrical Permit
Panel upgrades, rewiring, new circuits, or major electrical work
Typical timeline: 1-5 business days
Plumbing Permit
Re-piping, new plumbing lines, water heater replacement, sewer tie-ins
Typical timeline: 1-5 business days
What Florida Homeowners Say
“I was trying to pull a pool permit in Hillsborough County on my own and kept getting bounced between departments. Florida Permit Help matched me with someone who had it approved in four days. I should have called them first.”
“Our contractor did not pull the roof permit properly and the inspection failed. The permit pro Florida Permit Help connected us with fixed the paperwork and got us re-inspected within a week. Huge relief.”
Your Permit Partner
The permits on this site are filed by the team at 1 Contractor Solutions, a permit filing company serving all 67 florida counties. They deal with county building departments every day, so they know which portal wants what, how each plan reviewer reads an application, and what sends a submittal back for corrections.
Florida Permit Help is the front door. You tell us about your project, and we connect you with 1 Contractor Solutions to get the permit pulled. We are not a contractor and we do not pull permits ourselves. We are a matching service, and it costs you nothing to use.
Florida Permit Help is a Vyrabyte property.
Florida Permit Guides and Tips
Practical, county-specific guides written by permit industry professionals to help Florida homeowners navigate the building permit process with confidence.
Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida: What Homeowners Need to Know
A Florida wind mitigation inspection documents hurricane-resistant features and can cut your homeowner's insurance premium. Learn what inspectors check, costs, validity, and when improvements need permits.
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Read moreDo You Need a Permit to Enclose a Carport in Florida?
Enclosing a carport in Florida requires a building permit plus electrical and possibly HVAC sub-permits. Learn what's required, typical costs, and what can go wrong.
Read moreFrequently Asked Questions About Florida Building Permits
How much does Florida Permit Help cost me as a homeowner?
Nothing. Our matching service is completely free to homeowners. You pay the permit professional directly for their services, just like you would if you found them yourself. We simply make the connection faster and easier so your project stays on track.
Do you cover all 67 Florida counties?
Yes. We have experienced permit professionals available in every Florida county, from Hillsborough and Pinellas to Miami-Dade and Escambia. Whether you're in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Myers, or a rural county, we can connect you with someone who knows your local building department inside and out.
How fast will I hear back after submitting the form?
Most homeowners are matched with a permit professional within a few hours during business days. For complex projects or rural counties, it may take up to 24 hours. We work quickly because we know permit delays can hold up your entire project timeline.
What types of building permits do you help with in Florida?
We cover all common building permits required by Florida counties — roofing, pool construction, fence installation, room additions, electrical panels, plumbing, HVAC replacement, solar panels, generators, docks, seawalls, demolition, and more. If your county building department requires a permit for it, we can help you get it pulled.
Do I still need a licensed contractor for my project?
For most projects, yes — Florida Statute 489 requires licensed contractors for most permitted construction work. Our permit professionals handle the permit paperwork and application process, but you'll still need a licensed contractor to perform the actual construction. Some projects qualify for owner-builder permits if you live in the home, and we can help with those too.
What is a Notice of Commencement (NOC) and do I need one?
A Notice of Commencement is a recorded document required by Florida law before starting most permitted construction over a certain dollar threshold. It protects your property rights under Florida's Construction Lien Law and must be filed with the county clerk's office. Our permit professionals handle NOC preparation and filing as part of the permit process when required.
What happens if I start work without a building permit in Florida?
Building without a required permit in Florida can result in stop-work orders, daily fines, required demolition of unpermitted work, insurance claim denials, and serious complications when selling your home. County code enforcement officers actively look for unpermitted construction, and title companies check for open or missing permits during real estate closings.