Hendry County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Hendry County. The county also handles permits for Harlem, Sky Valley, Montura/Montura Ranch, Flaghole, Pioneer, Hookers Point, and Tropical areas.

Department

Hendry County Building and Licensing / Building Department

Address

640 S. Main St, LaBelle, FL 33935

Phone

863-675-5245

Email

permit@hendryfla.net

Website

https://www.hendryfla.net/building_code_enforcement/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Hendry County rather than inside Clewiston or LaBelle city limits.
2. Review the county's submittal information, permit application checklist, and any project-specific documents such as single-family/mobile-home flow charts, accessory-use flow charts, pool requirements, gas forms, or agricultural exemption affidavit.
3. Submit through the county's BS&A links or county intake with plans, contractor information, and supporting documents.
4. Send contractor registration, state license, business tax receipt, workers' compensation, and liability insurance to contractors@hendryfla.net when contractor registration is needed.
5. Pay permit fees and any applicable impact fees before issuance.
6. Schedule inspections through the BS&A inspection links or by email to inspection@hendryfla.net.
7. Obtain final approval before occupancy or use.

Typical processing time: Variable; applicants should contact the county for current processing times.

Source: Hendry County Building and Licensing / Building Department

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, remodels, renovations, service-equipment changeouts, and construction in general.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Permit application checklist
• Plans review guidelines
• Contractor registration materials (if applicable)
• Permit authorization form
• Project-specific documents (mobile-home checklist, health department permit checklist, fence application, structural inspection form, gas check form, permit cancellation letter)

Permit validity

Permit validity follows Florida Building Code standards. Permits that become idle for six months or more expire and require impact fee payment before further inspections.

Building code

2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition, effective December 31, 2023

Owner-builder

Owner-builders are permitted to perform work on properties they own and occupy.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must submit registration, state license, business tax receipt, workers' compensation, and liability insurance to contractors@hendryfla.net. Impact fees apply to building permits submitted on or after February 10, 2025.

Fees

Payment note

Permit fees are due before issuance. Lien search fee is $40.00 per parcel. Refer to the county's fee schedule page for current permit fee amounts.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Hendry County Building and Licensing / Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• BS&A Portal (online)
• inspection@hendryfla.net (email)
• County office coordination (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition, effective December 31, 2023
• Verify contractor license: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Florida Building Code Resources
• ICC Florida Building Code
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub