County Building Permits
Broward County, FL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Broward County, Florida. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Broward County and municipal services districts. Broward County serves as the building official for some small municipalities.
- Department
- Broward County Building Code Division
- Address
- 2307 W. Broward Boulevard, Suite 300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
- Phone
- 954-765-4400
- rpuentes@broward.org
- Website
- https://www.broward.org/building
Online Permit Portal
Platform: ePermits • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Submit permit application through Broward County ePermits or ePermitsOneStop portal.
- County reviews application for completeness and code compliance.
- Respond to any correction requests or plan-review comments.
- Pay permit fees.
- Schedule inspections through the ePermits system as work progresses.
- Obtain final inspection approval and permit close-out.
Typical processing time: Variable; dependent on project scope and complexity. Check ePermits portal for status updates.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction and alterations in unincorporated Broward County.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plans
- Construction drawings
- Proof of ownership or authorization
- Proof of professional design (if required by scope)
- Structural calculations (if required)
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or if no inspections occur within 365 days.
- Building code
- Florida Building Code (FBC) 2023 8th Edition; Broward County Administrative Provisions
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with Florida law and Broward County requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid Florida construction licenses and meet Broward County registration requirements.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Variable
- Plan check fee
- Percentage of building permit fee (varies)
- Permit fee formula
- Based on construction valuation; percentage varies by work type
- Reinspection fee
- Applied if corrections are needed after failed inspection
- Payment note
- Payment accepted through ePermits portal; credit card and electronic payment available
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Varies by jurisdiction; check Broward County official fee schedule).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Broward County Building Code Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ePermits portal (online)
- Broward County Building Code Division (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Submit inspection requests through ePermits; standard response within 1-2 business days
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Time windows
- Standard business hours; confirm specific inspection windows with county
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing/foundation, underfloor MEP, slab, shear/roof nailing, rough trades, frame, insulation, lath/sheetrock, finals (trades/utilities/energy), final building inspection
Remote inspections may be available for certain inspection types at county discretion
Additional Resources
- Building code: Florida Building Code (FBC) 2023 8th Edition; Broward County Administrative Provisions
- Verify contractor license: Florida Construction License Verification
- High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Information
- License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Broward County Building Code Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Broward County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Broward County, FL?
- A building permit is required for all construction and alterations in unincorporated Broward County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Broward County, FL?
- The minimum permit fee is Variable. Fees are calculated as: Based on construction valuation; percentage varies by work type. Plan check fee: Percentage of building permit fee (varies).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Broward County, FL?
- 1. Submit permit application through Broward County ePermits or ePermitsOneStop portal. 2. County reviews application for completeness and code compliance. 3. Respond to any correction requests or plan-review comments. 4. Pay permit fees. 5. Schedule inspections through the ePermits system as work progresses. 6. Obtain final inspection approval and permit close-out.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Broward County, FL?
- Typical processing time is Variable; dependent on project scope and complexity. Check ePermits portal for status updates..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Broward County, FL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Work performed under certain regulatory exemptions as defined in the Florida Building Code and Broward County provisions; Confirm specific exemptions with Broward County Building Code Division before proceeding. Note: Even exempt work may require zoning review, environmental review, or other approvals. Verify all requirements with the county.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Broward County, FL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: ePermits portal, Broward County Building Code Division. Submit inspection requests through ePermits; standard response within 1-2 business days.
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