Manatee County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Manatee County. Incorporated municipalities (Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and Longboat Key) maintain separate permit systems.

Department

Manatee County Development Services, Building and Permitting Division

Address

Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Phone

(941) 749-3012

Website

https://www.mymanatee.org/business/building_permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the address is in unincorporated Manatee County and not inside any incorporated municipality.
2. Identify the permit type and gather the county application, plans, contractor information, and project-specific supporting documents.
3. Submit the application package through Accela Online Services.
4. If applying as an owner-builder, use the Florida owner-builder exemption process and provide the required owner disclosures.
5. Record and post a Notice of Commencement before the first inspection when Florida law requires it.
6. Pay required permit fees and any applicable impact or utility-related fees at the stage required by county rules.
7. Schedule inspections through Accela or the county IVR system and obtain final approval before occupancy or use.

Source: Manatee County Development Services, Building and Permitting Division

General Requirements

Permits are required for a wide range of regulated building, electrical, mechanical, gas, and plumbing work, including reroofs, windows and doors, additions, renovations, many structural repairs, service changes, HVAC replacements, gas work, re-pipes, and other listed work.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Plans
• Contractor license/qualification information
• Owner-builder materials when applicable
• Notice of Commencement when required

Building code

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)

Owner-builder

Owners may apply for an owner-builder permit only under the statutory exemption. The residence or building must be for the owner's own use or occupancy and not built or substantially improved for sale or lease.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must establish a qualification file with the county prior to performing work. The county does not reciprocate registered licenses.

Fees

Payment note

All building departments must collect the statutory surcharge on permits, with a minimum amount collected on any permit. The building permit fee and state fee must be paid in full at the time of permit application.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Painting, wallpaper and other wall coverings
• Rescreening
• Pressure cleaning
• Trim carpentry
• Flooring
• Nonstructural interior paneling
• Cabinet installation
• Certain drywall replacement
• Residential insulation
• Certain nonstructural fences on one- and two-family lots outside the regulatory floodplain
• Prefabricated sheds up to 120 square feet and up to 8 feet high subject to zoning and flood rules
• Some small detached decks
• Nonstructural concrete/paver patios
• Listed low-voltage or receptacle work
• Window AC replacement
• Some minor mechanical repairs
• Electric-to-electric same-size same-location water-heater changeouts
• Listed minor plumbing repairs

Important: The county's exemption guide is educational only and does not include all work scopes or all requirements. Zoning and floodplain rules can still apply even where no building permit is required.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela Online Services (online)
• Selectron automated IVR system (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are available for all trades and disciplines required under a permit, including structural, gas, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, manufactured housing, and mobile home compliance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)
• Building Permits Landing Page
• Homeowner Building Permit Information
• Building Permit Application
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub