County Building Permits

Hillsborough County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Florida. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Florida Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Hillsborough County Development Services provides planning, zoning, development review, and building inspection services for all unincorporated Hillsborough County. The county does not issue permits for projects inside Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City.

Department
Hillsborough County Development Services, Building Services
Address
County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 (Development Services Tech Center on 19th floor; digital-submittal assistance on 16th floor)
Phone
(813) 272-5600
Website
https://hcfl.gov/businesses/permits-and-records/permits

Online Permit Portal

Open HillsGovHub / Accela

Platform: Accela • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Confirm the address is in unincorporated Hillsborough County and not inside Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City.
  2. Identify the correct permit type and review the county checklist or submittal requirements for the project.
  3. Create or log into a HillsGovHub account and upload the application, plans, contractor information, and required supporting documents.
  4. If applying as an owner-builder, upload the Owner Builder Disclosure Statement and satisfy Florida Statute 489.103(7) requirements.
  5. File a Notice of Commencement when Florida Statute 713 requires it.
  6. Respond to review comments, pay permit fees, and obtain permit issuance before starting regulated work.
  7. Schedule inspections in HillsGovHub and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy/completion as applicable.

Source: Hillsborough County Development Services, Building Services

General Requirements

Building and subtrade permits are processed through HillsGovHub for all regulated work in unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Required Documents

  • Permit application
  • Plans
  • Checklists
  • Owner-builder disclosure when applicable
  • Contractor licensing/registration information
  • Notice of Commencement when required
Building code
Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023). Hillsborough County also publishes a county construction code and administrative ordinances layered on top of statewide code enforcement.
Owner-builder
The property must generally be deeded in the owner's name. LLC/corporate/partnership ownership generally does not qualify. The property cannot be offered for sale, lease, or rent for one year after completion. The owner must directly supervise the work not performed by licensed contractors.
Contractor requirements
Regulated trades and work requiring permits must be performed by validly licensed contractors unless a lawful owner-builder exemption applies.

Fees

Reinspection fee
$125
Payment note
Fees for permits or services not specified in the posted schedules are calculated by the Building Official or designee using the county's current fee-study methodology.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Cosmetic work such as painting, tile, flooring, shelving, cabinet work, wallpapering
  • Certain PVC, wood, and chain-link fences
  • Sheds and greenhouses under 150 square feet
  • Limited low-voltage work in an existing single-family residence
  • Minor repair items as listed in the county exemption page

Important: Permit exemptions do not waive any other building-code certification requirement or permit requirement imposed by another jurisdiction or agency.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Requests submitted by 11:59 p.m. are guaranteed for the next business day for in-person inspection.

The county offers limited virtual inspections through VuSpex for certain final and roof/electrical/mechanical/plumbing inspection types.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Hillsborough County Development Services, Building Services before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Hillsborough County can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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