Unincorporated Manatee County

Permits are required for a wide range of regulated building, electrical, mechanical, gas, and plumbing work, including reroofs, windows and doors, additions, renovations, many structural repairs, service changes, HVAC replacements, gas work, re-pipes, and other listed work.

• Exempt Painting, wallpaper and other wall coverings
• Exempt Rescreening
• Exempt Pressure cleaning
• Exempt Trim carpentry
• Exempt Flooring
• Exempt Nonstructural interior paneling
• Exempt Cabinet installation
• Exempt Certain drywall replacement
• Exempt Residential insulation
• Exempt Certain nonstructural fences on one- and two-family lots outside the regulatory floodplain
• Exempt Prefabricated sheds up to 120 square feet and up to 8 feet high subject to zoning and flood rules
• Exempt Some small detached decks
• Exempt Nonstructural concrete/paver patios
• Exempt Listed low-voltage or receptacle work
• Exempt Window AC replacement
• Exempt Some minor mechanical repairs
• Exempt Electric-to-electric same-size same-location water-heater changeouts
• Exempt Listed minor plumbing repairs

Note: The county's exemption guide is educational only and does not include all work scopes or all requirements. Zoning and floodplain rules can still apply even where no building permit is required.

Building code

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)

Owner-builder

Owners may apply for an owner-builder permit only under the statutory exemption. The residence or building must be for the owner's own use or occupancy and not built or substantially improved for sale or lease.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must establish a qualification file with the county prior to performing work. The county does not reciprocate registered licenses.

Source: Manatee County Development Services, Building and Permitting Division ↗

1. 01
   Confirm the address is in unincorporated Manatee County and not inside any incorporated municipality.
2. 02
   Identify the permit type and gather the county application, plans, contractor information, and project-specific supporting documents.
3. 03
   Submit the application package through Accela Online Services.
4. 04
   If applying as an owner-builder, use the Florida owner-builder exemption process and provide the required owner disclosures.
5. 05
   Record and post a Notice of Commencement before the first inspection when Florida law requires it.
6. 06
   Pay required permit fees and any applicable impact or utility-related fees at the stage required by county rules.
7. 07
   Schedule inspections through Accela or the county IVR system and obtain final approval before occupancy or use.

Source: Manatee County Development Services, Building and Permitting Division ↗

• Accela Online Services (online)
• Selectron automated IVR system (phone)

Typical sequence: Inspections are available for all trades and disciplines required under a permit, including structural, gas, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, manufactured housing, and mobile home compliance.

Source: Manatee County Development Services, Building and Permitting Division ↗