Santa Rosa County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Pace is not an incorporated municipality. Santa Rosa County's Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment states the county has three incorporated municipalities, Gulf Breeze, Milton, and Jay, and separately lists Pace among the county's unincorporated communities. Pace does not have a separate city or town building permit program; properties in Pace follow the unincorporated Santa Rosa County permitting process.

Department

Santa Rosa County Development Services, Permitting & Building Compliance / Building Inspections

Address

6051 Old Bagdad Highway, Suite 202, Milton, FL 32583

Phone

850-981-7000

Website

https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/172/Obtain-a-Permit

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in Pace and therefore in unincorporated Santa Rosa County rather than inside Milton, Gulf Breeze, or Jay.
2. Use the applicable Santa Rosa County application and checklist.
3. Submit through MGO with plans, zoning/flood/utility documents, and other county-required materials.
4. Record and provide Notice of Commencement where required.
5. Pay fees, obtain issuance, and complete county inspections and finals.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity and plan review requirements; typical initial review 2-4 weeks.

Source: Santa Rosa County Development Services, Permitting & Building Compliance / Building Inspections

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, remodeling that changes the footprint of the original structure, structural changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, and building work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plans
• Plot/site plan or survey
• Parcel and addressing information
• Zoning or engineering approval
• Product approvals
• Contractor registration
• Notice of Commencement
• Project-specific documents such as floodplain certificates, termite treatment verification, or utility/septic approvals

Permit validity

Application is deemed abandoned 180 days after filing if no permit is issued, unless extended by the building official. Florida's general 180-day activity rule also applies unless extended.

Building code

Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023), statewide mandatory.

Owner-builder

The county publishes an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement requiring the property owner to acknowledge the Florida Statutes section 489.103 exemption limits and the owner's direct responsibility for the work.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be registered with Santa Rosa County Building Inspections regardless of whether they hold a state or county license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$200 for single-family detached; $350 for all other construction

Plan check fee

62.9 percent of base fee in many categories

Permit fee formula

New single-family construction by under-roof area: $10.25 per hundred square feet for first 5,000 sq ft, with lower rates for additional area brackets. Valuation-based remodel and repair fees published separately.

Payment note

State surcharge of 3 percent of base fee or $4 minimum applies.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Certain residential storage buildings under 600 square feet (via accessory exemption application)

Important: The county publishes an accessory exemption application for certain residential storage buildings under 600 square feet, but the form makes clear it only exempts building permit and inspection requirements and does not waive zoning, floodplain, land development code, or Florida Statutes compliance. Any claimed exemption should be confirmed with county staff because other local approvals may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• MGO portal (online)

Typical inspection sequence: County forms state the Notice of Commencement must be submitted before inspections when required. Owner-builder materials state no inspections will be made if key jobsite items are missing, including permit number or address, portable toilet, plans and energy forms, trash containment, and Notice of Commencement where required.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023), statewide mandatory.
• Choosing a Contractor
• Florida Lien Law
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub