Gulf County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated Gulf County outside the City of Port St. Joe and City of Wewahitchka.

Department

Gulf County Building Department

Address

1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd., Room 400, Port St. Joe, FL 32456

Phone

850-229-8944 Ext. 1

Website

https://www.gulfcounty-fl.gov/county_government/building_department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Gulf County and not inside the City of Port St. Joe or the City of Wewahitchka.
2. Obtain or verify the 911 address through Gulf County E911 before submittal. Submit the completed address form to the Building Department or email it there to start the permitting process.
3. Determine whether separate planning, floodplain, driveway, culvert, CCCL, FDEP, fire marshal, utility, or land-clearing approvals are required before permit issuance.
4. Submit the building application package to the Gulf County Building Department with all documents required by the applicable checklist.
5. If the site is in a FEMA flood zone, include the required elevation and floodplain certifications. If the site is in DEP jurisdiction or inside the Coastal Construction Control Line area, include the applicable state approvals.
6. Post permit documents on site, call inspections at least 24 hours in advance, and complete final inspection and certificate-of-occupancy closeout.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity and completeness of application. Contact the Building Department for specific estimates.

Source: Gulf County Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for most construction activities in unincorporated Gulf County.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• 2 sets of sealed 24x36 plans by a Florida registered architect or engineer, plus 1 set at 11x17
• Plans sealed to meet the Florida Building Code 2023 8th Edition
• FDEP stormwater runoff permit or exemption
• Gulf County Fire Marshal approval
• 911 address certificate
• Recorded Notice of Commencement
• Florida Energy Efficiency Code documentation
• Detailed site plan with setbacks, existing structures, buffer plan, driveway materials, and A/C pad location
• Truss and floor-truss drawings
• Environmental health and sewer-water documentation
• Flood elevation certificate where applicable
• FDOT driveway permit where applicable
• Paid land-clearing permit where applicable

Permit validity

If work described in a building permit has not begun within 180 days from issuance, the permit expires unless extended by the Building Official.

Building code

8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code

Fees

Payment note

Current permit, plan-review, reinspection, and after-the-fact fee amounts should be verified directly with the Gulf County Building Department before filing.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Gulf County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 850-229-8944 Ext. 1 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be called in at least 24 hours prior to the requested inspection date.

Inspection hours

Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern

Typical inspection sequence: Strapping, wall nail pattern, roof nail pattern, and shear wall inspections are required before concealment because of structural requirements. Floodplain and final-elevation documentation must be completed before final closeout where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code
• Verify contractor license: Florida DBPR Contractor License
• Gulf County Building Department
• Commercial Building Permit Application PDF
• Florida Building Code Wind Maps by County
• DBPR Building Code FAQ
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub