Santa Rosa County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Santa Rosa County issues Florida Building Code permits for unincorporated county areas and also requires county permit issuance for work in Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Jay after prior municipal approval.

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 unincorporated Santa Rosa County and not inside Milton, Gulf Breeze, or Jay.
2. Assemble the applicable county application and checklist from the county Forms & Documents page, including residential, commercial, trade, roof, pool, demolition, sign, or owner-builder forms as applicable.
3. Obtain prerequisite approvals where required, including zoning/engineering, septic or sewer and water approvals, floodplain documents, product approvals, and any outside agency approvals.
4. Submit through MGO and upload plans and supporting documents. If acting as owner-builder, complete the owner-builder disclosure and ID/notarization requirements.
5. Record and provide a Notice of Commencement when required before inspections begin.
6. Respond to review comments, pay permit fees and surcharges, and obtain permit issuance before starting regulated work.
7. Keep permit information, approved plans, and required documents onsite and complete all required 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. County materials also reference the county's current forms, wind maps, and Florida code resources.

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. County materials also reference the county's current forms, wind maps, and Florida code resources.
• 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