Sarasota County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Sarasota County handles permits only for unincorporated Sarasota County properties. The City of Sarasota, City of Venice, City of North Port, and Town of Longboat Key operate their own municipal permit programs.

Department

Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, Building

Address

870 Apex Road, Sarasota, FL 34240; South County permit center: R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293

Phone

941-861-5000

Email

building@scgov.net

Website

https://www.scgov.net/government/planning-and-development-services/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Sarasota County and not inside Sarasota, Venice, North Port, or Longboat Key town limits.
2. Review the county permit guidance and determine whether the work requires a permit under the Florida Building Code and county rules.
3. Create an Accela account, assemble the permit application, plans, and supporting materials, and submit electronically or obtain in-person assistance at a permit center.
4. If applying as an owner-builder, complete the owner-builder disclosure and personally satisfy the county's owner-builder requirements.
5. Pay applicable permit, review, impact, and utility-related fees through the county process.
6. Keep the permit and approved plans posted at the jobsite and complete required inspections before concealment or final use.
7. Obtain final approval before occupancy or completion of regulated work.

Typical processing time: Varies by permit type; consult county for specific timelines.

Source: Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, Building

General Requirements

Sarasota County states building applications are subject to the Florida Building Code, and county permit guidance directs applicants to the county's "When a Building Permit is Required" handout for permit triggers.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plans
• Supporting documents by permit type
• Contractor registration or license information
• Project-specific materials required through Accela

Permit validity

Applicants should confirm permit inactivity and extension rules with county Building before relying on an assumed deadline.

Building code

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), plus 2020 National Electrical Code

Owner-builder

An owner-builder must personally appear and sign the permit application, provide direct onsite supervision, and generally may not sell or lease the improved structure within 1 year after completion without triggering a presumption the exemption was misused.

Contractor requirements

Sarasota County maintains contractor licensing and registration controls, provides license verification through Planning and Development Services, and states unlicensed contractors often ask owners to pull the permit themselves.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Consult county fee schedule

Plan check fee

Varies by permit type

Permit fee formula

Varies by permit type; see fee schedule

Trade permit fee

Varies by trade

Reinspection fee

Varies by type

Penalty (no permit)

Not specified

Payment note

Sarasota County states Accela supports online fee payment and that the county changed payment processors beginning November 24, 2025, with a surcharge on certain transactions.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Per Resolution 2021-107).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, Building to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela online (online)
• Inspection hotline (phone)
• IVR voice phone system (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Consult county for current scheduling procedures.

Inspection hours

Standard county business hours; confirm with Building.

Time windows

Consult county

Typical inspection sequence: Varies by permit type.

Sarasota County states VuSpex Live Virtual Inspection is available for certain permit types, including some AC changeouts, plumbing sewer and water work, reroof dry-in and in-progress inspections, storm shutters, and single-opening window or door replacements.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), plus 2020 National Electrical Code
• Verify contractor license: Licensing and Enforcement
• Building page
• Online permitting page
• Contact page
• Municipalities page
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub