Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit in Alachua County, Florida
Need a lanai / screen enclosure permit pulled in Alachua County? We match you with an experienced Florida permit professional who knows the Alachua County building department and handles the entire lanai / screen enclosure permit process.
Still requires a permit
Does Florida’s new $7,500 permit exemption apply to lanai / screen enclosure permits in Alachua County?
No. A screen enclosure is structural work engineered to Florida's wind-load requirements, and HB 803 excludes structural work from the $7,500 exemption, so a permit is still required.
HB 803 (Chapter 2026-63) took effect July 1, 2026 and applies statewide, including Alachua County. To qualify, all of the following must be true:
- The property is a single-family residential property
- The total value of the work is less than $7,500, based on a written proposal or estimate from a licensed contractor
- The property is not in a flood hazard area
- The work is not electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work
The exemption is not self-certifying. A homeowner or contractor submits an exemption request and the building official determines whether the work qualifies. Starting work on the assumption that it does can lead to a stop-work order and an unpermitted-work disclosure when you sell.
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Getting a Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit in Alachua County
Alachua County Building Division issues lanai / screen enclosure permits for Alachua County, and applications go through Alachua County Online Permitting. For a lanai / screen enclosure permit, you'll typically need to submit an application with project details, plans or specifications, and applicable contractor licensing. The typical timeline for this type of permit is 1-3 weeks.
This permit type requires a Notice of Commencement (NOC) to be filed with the AlachuaCounty clerk's office before work begins. Your permit pro handles this as part of the process.
Who issues this permit in Alachua County
Alachua County Building Division
- Phone
- (352) 374-5243
- Permit counter
- County Annex Building, 1st Floor, 10 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
- Apply online
- Alachua County Online Permitting
Verified against Alachua County's own website on . Counties change hours, offices and portals, so confirm before you drive over.
Quick Facts
Timeline
1-3 weeks
NOC Required
Yes
Watch Out For These Alachua County Rejections
These are the most common reasons a lanai / screen enclosure permit application gets rejected. An experienced permit pro catches these before they cost you time.
- ×Wind load calculations missing
- ×Setback violations
- ×Missing product approvals
Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit questions, answered for Alachua County
Does Florida's new $7,500 permit exemption mean I can skip a lanai / screen enclosure permit in Alachua County?
No. A screen enclosure is structural work engineered to Florida's wind-load requirements, and HB 803 excludes structural work from the $7,500 exemption, so a permit is still required. HB 803 (Chapter 2026-63) took effect July 1, 2026 and applies statewide, including Alachua County. Where it does apply, it is not automatic: the building official reviews an exemption request and decides.
Who issues a lanai / screen enclosure permit in Alachua County, Florida?
Alachua County Building Division issues lanai / screen enclosure permits for Alachua County. You can reach the office at (352) 374-5243. Applications are submitted online through Alachua County Online Permitting. The permit counter is at County Annex Building, 1st Floor, 10 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601.
How long does a lanai / screen enclosure permit take in Alachua County?
Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit approval in Alachua County typically takes 1-3 weeks. That clock starts when the application is accepted as complete, not when it is first submitted, which is why an application that comes back for corrections can add a week or more to the total.
How much does a lanai / screen enclosure permit cost in Alachua County?
Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit fees in Alachua County generally fall in the $200-500 range. Florida counties set their own fee schedules and most calculate them from the declared job valuation, so the final figure depends on the size of your project. Expect separate charges for plan review and for each inspection.
Do I need a Notice of Commencement for a lanai / screen enclosure permit in Alachua County?
Yes. Lanai / Screen Enclosure Permit work in Alachua County normally requires a Notice of Commencement recorded with the Alachua County Clerk of Court before work begins. Under Florida's Construction Lien Law an NOC is required once the job value passes the statutory threshold, and inspectors can refuse the first inspection until a recorded copy is posted at the job site.
Can I pull a lanai / screen enclosure permit myself as the homeowner in Alachua County?
Often yes. Florida's owner-builder exemption, in section 489.103(7) of the Florida Statutes, lets an owner pull a permit for work on a home they own, subject to conditions the statute attaches, including appearing in person to sign a disclosure statement acknowledging that you take on the responsibilities of a licensed contractor. Alachua County can confirm what it requires at (352) 374-5243.
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