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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Franklin County
Permits are required for all projects over $1,000 or 100 square feet. All projects in a Special Flood Hazard Area require a permit.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Supplemental forms with all subcontractors listed
- 2 complete engineered plan sets
- Wind load analysis
- Boundary survey
- Site plan
- Energy code form
- Septic letter or permit if applicable
- Recorded Notice of Commencement or bank letter for contractors
- Owner-builder affidavit if the owner is acting as contractor
- Building code
- Florida Building Code (current edition)
- Permit validity
- Permit is valid for one year; construction must commence within six months.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders are held to the same standards as contractors.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must be properly licensed and maintain compliance with state requirements.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 3-7 business days for online applications; 7-10 business days for paper applications.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Franklin County rather than in the City of Apalachicola or the City of Carrabelle.
- 02 Determine whether the project also needs a Franklin County zoning permit before the building permit. Zoning development permits are required before building permit application for residential development that alters lot coverage.
- 03 Apply through the CitizenServe portal or use the paper permit application from the county documents page.
- 04 Use the checklist built into the county application. Incomplete applications will be returned and not accepted.
- 05 Submit all required plans, forms, and outside-agency approvals. For online applications typical processing is 3 to 7 business days; for paper applications 7 to 10 business days.
- 06 Obtain all required supplemental permits, schedule inspections, and complete final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy steps through the building department.
Typical processing time: 3-7 business days for online applications; 7-10 business days for paper applications.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Franklin County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Based on valuation under ICC's current valuation data table with regional modifier calculated annually.
02
Penalty (no permit)
Fees are doubled when work starts before a permit is obtained.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- CitizenServe Portal (online)
- 850-653-9783 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Applicants must schedule all required inspections at the appropriate time.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Franklin County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, FL? ▸
Permits are required for all projects over $1,000 or 100 square feet. All projects in a Special Flood Hazard Area require a permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, FL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Franklin County, FL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on valuation under ICC's current valuation data table with regional modifier calculated annually..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, FL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, FL, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Franklin County rather than in the City of Apalachicola or the City of Carrabelle. 2. Determine whether the project also needs a Franklin County zoning permit before the building permit. Zoning development permits are required before building permit application for residential development that alters lot coverage. 3. Apply through the CitizenServe portal or use the paper permit application from the county documents page. 4. Use the checklist built into the county application. Incomplete applications will be returned and not accepted. 5. Submit all required plans, forms, and outside-agency approvals. For online applications typical processing is 3 to 7 business days; for paper applications 7 to 10 business days. 6. Obtain all required supplemental permits, schedule inspections, and complete final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy steps through the building department.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, FL? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Franklin County, FL typically run 3-7 business days for online applications; 7-10 business days for paper applications.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, FL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, FL via: CitizenServe Portal, 850-653-9783.
last verified April 2026
source Franklin County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/florida/franklin/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Franklin County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.