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Broward County Building Permit Guide
Francis Thumpasery
Last updated:
May 30, 2025
Before you break ground on any construction project in Broward County, Florida, you need to know whether a permit is required — and if so, how to get one. That means understanding which documents to submit, how to apply, and what to expect during reviews and inspections.
If your business has recently expanded to Broward County and you’re struggling to pinpoint the county’s permitting requirements, the process can feel overwhelming. Even seasoned contractors can hit delays if a detail gets missed. This guide walks you through the permitting process step by step, helping you avoid costly mistakes and keep your project on track.
Simplify permitting in Broward County with PermitFlow. Learn more here.
What requires a building permit in Broward County?
According to the Broward County Building Permits page, permits are required for a wide variety of construction, remodeling, and repair work.
Residential projects
- New construction: Single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and multi-unit buildings
- Additions and alterations: Room additions, structural changes, or significant remodeling
- Accessory structures: Sheds, decks, fences, docks, and screen enclosures
- System installations: Air conditioning units, water heaters, lawn sprinklers, and permanent generators
- Swimming pools: Installation of residential pools
- Window and door replacements: Especially those impacting structural integrity
- Roofing work: Re-roofing or significant roof repairs
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work: New installations or substantial modifications
Commercial projects
- New construction: Office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other commercial structures
- Tenant improvements: Interior build-outs, renovations, or changes in occupancy
- System installations: HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and fire protection systems
- Structural modifications: Additions, alterations, or repairs affecting the building's structure
- Accessibility upgrades: Modifications to comply with ADA standards
Work that does not require a building permit
Certain minor projects may be exempt from permitting requirements:
- Minor repairs: General maintenance or repairs not exceeding $1,500 in labor and materials, provided they do not involve structural changes or affect occupancy
- Emergency repairs: Immediate repairs necessary to prevent further damage or restore essential services. However, a permit application must be submitted by the next working day
- Ordinary minor repairs: Repairs that do not involve cutting away walls, altering structural components, or modifying essential systems like plumbing or electrical systems
Broward County building permit fees
Permit fees in Broward County are calculated based on the project's valuation and scope. Here's a general overview.
| Permit type |
Fee |
| Structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing |
1.85% of job value or $125 minimum |
| Certificate of occupancy / completion |
$50.00 per discipline |
Additional fees
Additional fees are often included in the fees for certifications, specific types of constructions, or work that is done on the territory.
| Fee type |
Amount |
| Plan review |
Based on review scope |
| Training & education fee |
$0.02 per $1.00 of permit/review fee |
| Public awareness fee |
$0.005 per $1.00 of permit/review fee |
| Permit extensions |
$50.00 |
| Change of contractor |
$75.00 |
| Plan changes after permit issuance |
$76.00/hour |
| Replacement of plans (Per trade) |
$50.00 |
| Permit card replacement |
$50.00 |
| Additional plan sets |
$4.00/sheet (after 2 sets) |
| Property research fee |
$50.00 per request |
Reinspection fees
At various stages of construction, you need to apply for inspections. The fees here are the following.
| Reinspection # |
Fee |
| 1st Reinspection |
$66.00 |
| 2nd Reinspection |
$132.00 |
| 3rd Reinspection |
$198.00 |
| 4th or more |
$264.00 |
Fines and penalties
Expired permits
If your construction project exceeds the permitted timeline, you’ll need to reapply and pay additional fees to keep the permit active. Here's what that can cost you:
| Permit |
Fee |
| Minimum expired permit fee |
$125.00 |
| Renewal within 180 days |
50% of original permit fee |
| After 180 days |
New permit with full fees required |
When you violate any of the rules or processes, you have to pay fines, which include:
| Violation type |
Penalty |
| Work without a permit |
Double the standard permit fee |
| Code violations (1st offense) |
$50 — $250 |
| Repeat offenses |
$100 — $500 |
| Unsafe structures |
Daily fines; possible lien |
For more information, please refer to the General Fees Schedule.
How long do building permits last in Broward County?
Broward County permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. If work doesn’t begin within this period, the permit will expire. You can request an extension by contacting the Broward County permit department.
Who issues building permits in Broward County?
Broward County construction permits are issued by the Broward County Permit Department. You can apply online by visiting the ePermits Online page. If you have additional questions, you can send an email to building@broward.org.
How to get a building permit in Broward County
Step 1: Determine permit requirements
Identify whether your project requires a permit by consulting the Broward County Building Permits page or contacting the local building department.
Step 2: Prepare necessary documentation
Gather all required documents, which include:
Step 3: Submit application
Submit your application and supporting documents through the ePermits Online page.
Step 4: Plan review and approval
After submission, your application will undergo a plan review to see if it complies with building codes and regulations.
Step 5: Permit issuance
Once approved, you'll be notified to pay any remaining fees. After payment, your permit will be issued, and you can start the construction process.
Step 6: Inspections
Schedule required inspections at different stages of construction. You can do so through the ePermits Online.
Broward County permitting resources
Streamline Broward County permitting with PermitFlow
Permitting in Broward County isn’t always straightforward. From navigating local requirements to managing timelines, even experienced pros can hit roadblocks. PermitFlow makes the process faster, simpler, and more predictable.
Here’s how PermitFlow helps:
- Local expertise: We understand Broward County’s permitting process inside and out, ensuring your applications are accurate and complete from day one.
- Centralized dashboard: Track every permit in one place — no more juggling emails, forms, or missed updates.
- Fewer delays: Our end-to-end support reduces back-and-forth and helps keep your project on schedule.
Don’t let paperwork slow down your next build. Let PermitFlow handle the permitting so you can stay focused on the work.
Ready to get started? Talk to our team today.
Before you break ground on any construction project in Broward County, Florida, you need to know whether a permit is required — and if so, how to get one. That means understanding which documents to submit, how to apply, and what to expect during reviews and inspections.
If your business has recently expanded to Broward County and you’re struggling to pinpoint the county’s permitting requirements, the process can feel overwhelming. Even seasoned contractors can hit delays if a detail gets missed. This guide walks you through the permitting process step by step, helping you avoid costly mistakes and keep your project on track.
Simplify permitting in Broward County with PermitFlow. Learn more here.
What requires a building permit in Broward County?
According to the Broward County Building Permits page, permits are required for a wide variety of construction, remodeling, and repair work.
Residential projects
- New construction: Single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and multi-unit buildings
- Additions and alterations: Room additions, structural changes, or significant remodeling
- Accessory structures: Sheds, decks, fences, docks, and screen enclosures
- System installations: Air conditioning units, water heaters, lawn sprinklers, and permanent generators
- Swimming pools: Installation of residential pools
- Window and door replacements: Especially those impacting structural integrity
- Roofing work: Re-roofing or significant roof repairs
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work: New installations or substantial modifications
Commercial projects
- New construction: Office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other commercial structures
- Tenant improvements: Interior build-outs, renovations, or changes in occupancy
- System installations: HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and fire protection systems
- Structural modifications: Additions, alterations, or repairs affecting the building's structure
- Accessibility upgrades: Modifications to comply with ADA standards
Work that does not require a building permit
Certain minor projects may be exempt from permitting requirements:
- Minor repairs: General maintenance or repairs not exceeding $1,500 in labor and materials, provided they do not involve structural changes or affect occupancy
- Emergency repairs: Immediate repairs necessary to prevent further damage or restore essential services. However, a permit application must be submitted by the next working day
- Ordinary minor repairs: Repairs that do not involve cutting away walls, altering structural components, or modifying essential systems like plumbing or electrical systems
Broward County building permit fees
Permit fees in Broward County are calculated based on the project's valuation and scope. Here's a general overview.
| Permit type |
Fee |
| Structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing |
1.85% of job value or $125 minimum |
| Certificate of occupancy / completion |
$50.00 per discipline |
Additional fees
Additional fees are often included in the fees for certifications, specific types of constructions, or work that is done on the territory.
| Fee type |
Amount |
| Plan review |
Based on review scope |
| Training & education fee |
$0.02 per $1.00 of permit/review fee |
| Public awareness fee |
$0.005 per $1.00 of permit/review fee |
| Permit extensions |
$50.00 |
| Change of contractor |
$75.00 |
| Plan changes after permit issuance |
$76.00/hour |
| Replacement of plans (Per trade) |
$50.00 |
| Permit card replacement |
$50.00 |
| Additional plan sets |
$4.00/sheet (after 2 sets) |
| Property research fee |
$50.00 per request |
Reinspection fees
At various stages of construction, you need to apply for inspections. The fees here are the following.
| Reinspection # |
Fee |
| 1st Reinspection |
$66.00 |
| 2nd Reinspection |
$132.00 |
| 3rd Reinspection |
$198.00 |
| 4th or more |
$264.00 |
Fines and penalties
Expired permits
If your construction project exceeds the permitted timeline, you’ll need to reapply and pay additional fees to keep the permit active. Here's what that can cost you:
| Permit |
Fee |
| Minimum expired permit fee |
$125.00 |
| Renewal within 180 days |
50% of original permit fee |
| After 180 days |
New permit with full fees required |
When you violate any of the rules or processes, you have to pay fines, which include:
| Violation type |
Penalty |
| Work without a permit |
Double the standard permit fee |
| Code violations (1st offense) |
$50 — $250 |
| Repeat offenses |
$100 — $500 |
| Unsafe structures |
Daily fines; possible lien |
For more information, please refer to the General Fees Schedule.
How long do building permits last in Broward County?
Broward County permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. If work doesn’t begin within this period, the permit will expire. You can request an extension by contacting the Broward County permit department.
Who issues building permits in Broward County?
Broward County construction permits are issued by the Broward County Permit Department. You can apply online by visiting the ePermits Online page. If you have additional questions, you can send an email to building@broward.org.
How to get a building permit in Broward County
Step 1: Determine permit requirements
Identify whether your project requires a permit by consulting the Broward County Building Permits page or contacting the local building department.
Step 2: Prepare necessary documentation
Gather all required documents, which include:
Step 3: Submit application
Submit your application and supporting documents through the ePermits Online page.
Step 4: Plan review and approval
After submission, your application will undergo a plan review to see if it complies with building codes and regulations.
Step 5: Permit issuance
Once approved, you'll be notified to pay any remaining fees. After payment, your permit will be issued, and you can start the construction process.
Step 6: Inspections
Schedule required inspections at different stages of construction. You can do so through the ePermits Online.
Broward County permitting resources
Streamline Broward County permitting with PermitFlow
Permitting in Broward County isn’t always straightforward. From navigating local requirements to managing timelines, even experienced pros can hit roadblocks. PermitFlow makes the process faster, simpler, and more predictable.
Here’s how PermitFlow helps:
- Local expertise: We understand Broward County’s permitting process inside and out, ensuring your applications are accurate and complete from day one.
- Centralized dashboard: Track every permit in one place — no more juggling emails, forms, or missed updates.
- Fewer delays: Our end-to-end support reduces back-and-forth and helps keep your project on schedule.
Don’t let paperwork slow down your next build. Let PermitFlow handle the permitting so you can stay focused on the work.
Ready to get started? Talk to our team today.
