County Building Permits
Okaloosa County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Okaloosa County, Florida. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Okaloosa County areas. Okaloosa County also serves as the Florida Building Code review/inspection agency for several municipalities.
- Department
- Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management, Building Division / Inspections Division
- Address
- 812 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview, FL 32539 | 1250 N. Eglin Pkwy., Suite 301, Shalimar, FL 32579
- Phone
- 850-689-5080 (Crestview) / 850-651-7180 (Shalimar)
Online Permit Portal
Platform: EnerGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Okaloosa County and not inside one of the county's nine municipalities.
- Submit the permit application, plans, site plan, and survey through the CSS portal.
- For projects requiring plan review, respond to review comments and upload corrections.
- Pay fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- Schedule inspections through the online portal or call the IVR inspection line at 850-651-7140.
- Obtain final inspection approval and Certificate of Occupancy or completion when applicable.
Typical processing time: Trade permits, window permits, door permits, and roof/re-roof permits are processed in the Fast Lane and issued next day.
Source: Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management, Building Division / Inspections Division
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all work regulated by the Florida Building Code, including general building permits, fences, roofing, windows/doors, and trade permits.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Plans and site plan
- Survey
- Product approvals
- Contractor licensing/registration documentation
- Project-specific supporting forms
- Permit validity
- Permits remain valid according to Florida law; inactive or abandoned permits may expire.
- Building code
- 2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition; 2020 NFPA 70; 2023 Florida Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas, Energy Conservation, Accessibility, and Fire Prevention codes
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with Florida Statute 489.103 requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold appropriate state licensing and county registration.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based fees; see fee schedule for details
- Payment note
- County publishes inspection and permitting fee schedule with total fees built from building permit fee plus applicable sub-permit charges.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Concrete work does not require a permit unless a structure will be placed on the slab or drainage is altered.
Important: Even where the Florida Building Code may exempt work, zoning, floodplain, driveway, health department, fire district, and municipal overlay approvals may still apply.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CSS portal (online)
- IVR inspection scheduling (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact county for current scheduling procedures and availability.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, standard business hours
Typical inspection sequence: County performs building inspections and coordinates with municipalities for local sign-off where interlocal or approval-letter procedures apply.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition; 2020 NFPA 70; 2023 Florida Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas, Energy Conservation, Accessibility, and Fire Prevention codes
- Verify contractor license: Florida Contractor Search
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Growth Management Planning
- Building Codes
- License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management, Building Division / Inspections Division before applying.
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