Pinellas County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Pinellas County and several partner municipalities.

Department

Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services

Address

440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Phone

727-464-3888

Email

buildingpermit@pinellas.gov

Website

https://pinellas.gov/apply-for-a-building-permit/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Access the Pinellas County Access Portal (Accela).
2. Provide project information, property details, and scope of work.
3. Upload required documents including plans, property surveys, and project specifications.
4. Pay application and plan-review fees as invoiced.
5. County staff reviews for completeness and routes to appropriate departments.
6. Address any correction comments and resubmit revised documents if required.
7. Pay remaining fees and obtain permit issuance before starting work.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; standard residential permits typically 2-4 weeks after completeness.

Source: Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services

General Requirements

Building permits are required for all construction projects in unincorporated Pinellas County exceeding $500 in valuation or requiring inspection.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Site plan with property dimensions and existing structures
• Construction plans and specifications
• Proof of property ownership or authorization
• Flood zone documentation where applicable
• Coastal or floodplain certifications if in hazard area

Permit validity

Permits remain valid while active inspections continue; specific expiration periods vary by permit type.

Building code

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may apply directly; verify current requirements with county before proceeding.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a current Florida Contractor License and provide proof of liability insurance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Varies by project type

Plan check fee

Calculated as percentage of permit fee

Permit fee formula

Based on valuation and permit type; consult fee schedule online or contact county

Trade permit fee

Separate fees per trade discipline

Reinspection fee

Assessed for failed inspections requiring re-inspection

Payment note

Fees paid through Accela portal; multiple payment methods accepted

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Current as of 2026-03).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Minor repair and maintenance work
• Accessory structures under certain square footage limits without utilities
• Non-structural shelving and storage
• Minor electrical and plumbing work within code limits

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, or other regulatory requirements. Confirm with county staff before proceeding with any work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela portal (online)
• 727-464-3888 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests typically accommodated for next business day when submitted by required cutoff time.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (hours subject to change)

Time windows

AM and PM windows available for inspection scheduling

Typical inspection sequence: Standard sequence includes framing, MEP rough-in, insulation, drywall, final inspections, and certificate of occupancy/completion.

County may use remote inspections for certain inspection types at its discretion.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)
• Verify contractor license: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Pinellas County Local Technical Amendment (Wind Design)
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub