County Building Permits
Washington County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, Florida. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Washington County, excluding incorporated municipalities (Chipley, Vernon, Caryville, Ebro, and Wausau).
- Department
- Washington County Building Department
- Address
- 1331 South Blvd., Chipley, FL 32428
- Phone
- 850-638-6195
- permits@washingtonfl.com
Online Permit Portal
Platform: iWorQ • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Washington County and not inside Chipley, Vernon, Caryville, Ebro, or Wausau.
- Submit the Land Use Application, recorded deed, and site plan to County Planning Department.
- Submit the E911 Address Application to the Planning Department.
- Obtain a driveway permit if required (new residential driveways on county-maintained roads).
- Obtain septic approval if required from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- Submit the building permit application and required plans and supporting documents to the Building Department.
- Pay permit fees, planning fees, plan-submittal and plan-review fees, and impact fees if applicable.
- Post the address, prints, inspection card, and Notice of Commencement before new construction begins.
- Schedule required inspections through the Building Department (24-48 hours notice required).
Typical processing time: Varies; initial plan review typically 2-4 weeks depending on plan complexity and resubmittals.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated Washington County under the Florida Building Code.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Owner and contractor details
- Parcel and project information
- Occupancy type and valuation
- Architect or engineer information where applicable
- Notarized owner and contractor affidavit
- Permit validity
- A permit remains valid only while construction progress and an approved inspection are recorded within each 180-day period.
- Building code
- Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must provide the same documentation as contractors.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors may be required to register with the Washington County Building Department.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Varies by permit type
- Plan check fee
- Plan-submittal fee $35 (non-refundable); plan-review fee minimum $35 or 15%, whichever is greater
- Permit fee formula
- Based on construction valuation; specific percentage not published in single consolidated schedule
- Trade permit fee
- Separate permits required for electrical, plumbing, signs, wells, pools, furnaces, boilers, heaters, tanks, and air conditioners
- Reinspection fee
- $75 per reinspection when inspection is not ready or fails
- Penalty (no permit)
- Not specified in available public documents
- Payment note
- 3.5% convenience fee applies to credit-card transactions (effective March 17, 2025)
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Current schedule published by county).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Washington County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 850-638-6195 (phone)
- permits@washingtonfl.com (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact Building Department at least 24 to 48 hours before the requested inspection date.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Time windows
- Business hours as published
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: temporary electrical service, footer, under slab, floor slab, concrete block, nailing and strapping, dry-in, insulation, temporary permanent power to certificate of occupancy, and final / certificate of occupancy.
Remote inspections not specified in published documents.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023
- Verify contractor license: Florida Contractor License Search
- Building Permit Application
- Building Inspection Procedures
- Residential Planning Review Instructions
- Planning Department Fee Schedule
- Plan-Review Fee Notice
- Florida Building Commission Wind Maps
- 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 Washington County Building Department before applying.
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