Glades County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All properties within unincorporated Glades County (outside city limits of Moore Haven and Clewiston).

Department

Glades County Community Development Department, Building Division

Address

198 6th Street SW, Moore Haven, FL 33471

Phone

863-946-6018

Email

bblankenship@myglades.com , ajones@myglades.com

Website

https://www.myglades.com/departments/community_development/building_department/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Glades County (not inside Moore Haven or Clewiston city limits).
2. Identify the correct permit package using the county building portal and applications/forms page.
3. Assemble the permit package with all required documents (application, contractor assignment, plans, site plan, survey if applicable, utility/septic documentation, energy forms if applicable, truss engineering, product approvals, floodplain supplement if applicable, and Notice of Commencement if required).
4. If plans are 11 x 17 or larger, email a digital copy to county staff before submitting the permit packet.
5. Submit through the county portal and/or county building office as directed for the permit type.
6. Pay fees and obtain permit issuance; post any recorded Notice of Commencement if required before requesting first inspection.
7. Call in inspections by 4:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection date, or coordinate with the Building Division.
8. Obtain final inspection approval and certificate of occupancy when applicable.

Typical processing time: Plan review and inspections are performed every weekday; timing varies by project complexity.

Source: Glades County Community Development Department, Building Division

General Requirements

A building permit is required for any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or perform regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, or impact-resistant-covering work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Contractor assignment and authorization form
• Construction plans and site plan
• Survey (in most county cases unless published exception applies)
• Potable water (well) and sewer (septic) documentation
• Florida energy form (where applicable)
• Truss layout and engineering
• Mobile-home workbook (where applicable)
• Aluminum engineering (where applicable)
• Cost documentation
• Florida product approvals or NOAs for roofing, doors, and windows
• Proof of ownership (when needed)
• Stormwater-pollution-prevention information (for qualifying commercial work)
• Floodplain review supplement
• Owner-builder disclosure
• Contractor registration materials
• Notice of Commencement and Notice of Termination forms

Permit validity

Plans review and inspections are performed every weekday. Inspection requests must be called in by 4:00 p.m. the day before.

Building code

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023.

Owner-builder

Florida owner-builder rules apply. A trust, LLC, or corporation does not qualify for owner-builder status. Personal appearance/signature required with direct supervision. No build-for-sale-or-lease misuse. $75,000 cap for qualifying commercial owner-builder work.

Contractor requirements

All permit-required work must be performed by a licensed contractor unless the applicant qualifies as an owner-builder. Contractor registration materials must be emailed to county staff; initial county registration fee is $50.00.

Fees

Payment note

The county accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Interior or exterior painting
• Interior tile work
• Installation of wood or vinyl flooring
• Installing cabinets
• Light-fixture changeout without rewiring
• Plumbing fixture changeout (faucets, toilets)
• Certain drain/leak repairs not requiring rearranging or replacing regulated piping
• Minor repairs not affecting structure, egress, regulated systems, public health, or safety
• Portable heating, ventilation, cooking, or cooling appliances
• Temporary motion-picture or television production sets under 180 days
• Nonresidential farm buildings on farms
• Installation of playground equipment
• Above-ground pools under 2 feet tall
• Paving
• Fencing
• Certain utility, railroad, temporary construction, tribal chickee, mausoleum, temporary prisoner housing, and limited hunting-structure situations

Important: Several listed items still require zoning review (marked ZR). Floodplain review may also be required in Special Flood Hazard Areas even when a building permit is not required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 863-946-6018 (phone)
• bblankenship@myglades.com; ajones@myglades.com (email)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be called in by 4:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection date to be placed on the next-day schedule.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday (plans review and inspections performed every weekday)

Additional Resources

• Building code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023.
• Verify contractor license: Florida Contractor License Information
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County Information You Should Know
• Planning and Zoning
• Florida Building Code Portal
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub