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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Hernando County
A building permit is required for all regulated work including electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, signs, wells, pools, furnaces, boilers, heaters, tanks, air conditioners, and other work specified in the Florida Building Code.
Painting
Liquid roof coatings
Roof repairs affecting less than 100 square feet of existing roof covering
Replacement of existing light fixtures, ceiling fans, receptacles, switches like-for-like
Replacement of existing faucets, sinks, toilets
Replacement kitchen cabinets without changing electrical or plumbing configuration
Residential fences under 7 feet unless supported by brick, block, or concrete columns
Re-screening existing window screens or screen enclosures
Same-type, same-location water heater changeouts
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Liquid roof coatings
- Exempt Roof repairs affecting less than 100 square feet of existing roof covering
- Exempt Replacement of existing light fixtures, ceiling fans, receptacles, switches like-for-like
- Exempt Replacement of existing faucets, sinks, toilets
- Exempt Replacement kitchen cabinets without changing electrical or plumbing configuration
- Exempt Residential fences under 7 feet unless supported by brick, block, or concrete columns
- Exempt Re-screening existing window screens or screen enclosures
- Exempt Same-type, same-location water heater changeouts
Note: Exempt work must still comply with minimum code standards and county zoning setback requirements.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Project plans and site details
- Project valuation
- Contractor license information
- Trade contractor information
- Owner-builder disclosure/affidavit where applicable
- Notice of Commencement when required
- Product approvals
- Building code
- Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023.
- Permit validity
- A building permit is valid for 2 years from issuance. Any permit not finaled or voided within 2 years expires; expired permits must be re-permitted or reactivated before work continues.
- Owner-builder
- The owner must personally appear and sign for the exemption. Owner-builder forms track the Florida statutory owner-builder restrictions.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must register with Hernando County. Registration requires a current state certified license certificate, liability insurance and workers compensation certificate naming the Hernando County Building Division as certificate holder, and a color copy of current driver's license or identification.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Varies by project complexity; initial residential reviews generally take 10 working days.
- 01 Confirm the property is in unincorporated Hernando County and not inside Brooksville city jurisdiction.
- 02 Gather the permit application, project description, valuation, contractor or owner-builder information, site details, plans, and trade information required for the permit type.
- 03 Submit through the county Civic Access portal, or use the county's accepted paper submission path where applicable.
- 04 Record and post the Notice of Commencement before the first inspection when Florida law requires it.
- 05 Respond to plan review comments and provide product approvals, engineering, floodplain, zoning, septic, or other supporting documents as applicable.
- 06 Pay fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- 07 Schedule inspections and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy/completion before use or occupancy.
Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; initial residential reviews generally take 10 working days.
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- bldg@hernandocounty.us (email)
- 352-754-4050 (phone)
- Contractor Portal (registered contractors) (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; lobby hours 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Typical sequence: Notice of Commencement must be recorded and posted before the first inspection when applicable.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Hernando County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hernando County, FL? ▸
A building permit is required for all regulated work including electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, signs, wells, pools, furnaces, boilers, heaters, tanks, air conditioners, and other work specified in the Florida Building Code.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hernando County, FL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hernando County, FL, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Hernando County and not inside Brooksville city jurisdiction. 2. Gather the permit application, project description, valuation, contractor or owner-builder information, site details, plans, and trade information required for the permit type. 3. Submit through the county Civic Access portal, or use the county's accepted paper submission path where applicable. 4. Record and post the Notice of Commencement before the first inspection when Florida law requires it. 5. Respond to plan review comments and provide product approvals, engineering, floodplain, zoning, septic, or other supporting documents as applicable. 6. Pay fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work. 7. Schedule inspections and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy/completion before use or occupancy.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hernando County, FL? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Hernando County, FL typically run Varies by project complexity; initial residential reviews generally take 10 working days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hernando County, FL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Hernando County, FL. The following work is generally exempt: Painting; Liquid roof coatings; Roof repairs affecting less than 100 square feet of existing roof covering; Replacement of existing light fixtures, ceiling fans, receptacles, switches like-for-like; Replacement of existing faucets, sinks, toilets; Replacement kitchen cabinets without changing electrical or plumbing configuration; Residential fences under 7 feet unless supported by brick, block, or concrete columns; Re-screening existing window screens or screen enclosures; Same-type, same-location water heater changeouts. Note: Exempt work must still comply with minimum code standards and county zoning setback requirements. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hernando County, FL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hernando County, FL via: bldg@hernandocounty.us, 352-754-4050, Contractor Portal (registered contractors).
last verified April 2026
source Hernando County Building Division ↗
entry id permits/florida/hernando/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Hernando County Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.