Vero Beach, FL Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Vero Beach shares the Building Department with Indian River County. City planning approval is required before permit issuance for improvements needing site plan, code compliance, historic preservation, or zoning approval.

Department

City of Vero Beach Building Department, shared with Indian River County; City of Vero Beach Planning & Development for city approvals

Address

1053 20th Place, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Phone

772-978-4550

Website

https://www.covb.org/152/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is inside Vero Beach city limits.
2. Determine whether the project also needs city code compliance certification, site plan review, historic preservation approval, flood review, tree permit review, or another Planning & Development approval.
3. Complete the required city Planning & Development review first where applicable.
4. File the building permit through the shared county/city building division using the county's permit process and MGO.
5. Respond to both city and county review comments as needed.
6. Pay permit fees and obtain issuance before starting work.
7. Schedule inspections through the shared county/city building division and obtain final approval.

Typical processing time: Processing times depend on city planning approvals required. Building permit intake through shared county division.

Source: City of Vero Beach Building Department, shared with Indian River County; City of Vero Beach Planning & Development for city approvals

General Requirements

Work regulated by the Florida Building Code requires permitting through the shared building division. Vero Beach also requires city-side review before issuance for various land development and zoning triggers.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Plans and construction documents
• Project valuation
• Contractor information
• Code compliance certification application where required
• Historic preservation documentation where applicable

Building code

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

Owner-builder

Florida owner-builder rules apply through the shared building division.

Contractor requirements

State certified contractors must exhibit their state certificate to the local Building Official. Local licensing and registration materials are published by the county.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$200

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based per county fee schedule; city planning approvals may incur additional fees

Reinspection fee

$45

Penalty (no permit)

100 percent penalty; work started before permit issuance doubles the standard permit fee

Payment note

Building permit fees run through the shared county/city building division. Separate city planning or development review fees may apply.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting and similar finish work
• Certain small above-ground prefabricated pools
• Some playground equipment
• Specified minor electrical repairs

Important: Exemptions from the FBC do not eliminate separate city planning, zoning, floodplain, tree, or historic review requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• MGO portal (online)
• 772-226-1260 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Final inspections and permit closeout are handled through the shared building division, but city planning signoffs may still be required where city approvals were part of the permit path.

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
• Code Compliance Certification
• Historic Preservation
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Indian River County