Okaloosa County stretches across Florida's Emerald Coast, home to popular beach towns like Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Building anywhere in this county means dealing with coastal construction rules designed to protect against Gulf hurricanes and flooding. Whether your project is near the beaches or inland, Okaloosa County requires permits that make sure your project can withstand the panhandle's severe weather patterns.
This guide explains Okaloosa County building permit requirements clearly: what needs a permit, how to apply, costs involved, and how long approvals take. Getting your permits right keeps your project legal and on schedule in this growing Florida panhandle county.
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What requires a building permit in Okaloosa County?
The Okaloosa County Building Department requires permits for most construction work that involves structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. This includes both new construction and renovations.
- New construction, additions, garages/carports, decks, docks and similar structural work (County guides and forms are provided for each of these scopes)
- Storage sheds over 200 sq ft
- Door/garage door/window change-outs, shutters, siding/soffit/fascia (covered by the County’s General Building Permit guide)
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, gas work (trade permits fall under the Florida Building Code permit requirements)
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some minor repairs or aesthetic updates may not require permits. The following are generally exempt from getting Okaloosa County permits:
- Residential storage sheds <200 sq ft used exclusively for storage. The County’s shed guide states they are “exempt from permitting requirements,” but the location requirements must be met
- Non-residential farm buildings (structure only). Okaloosa’s “Farm Exempt Building” form notes the structure is exempt; electrical/plumbing/mechanical/gas permits are still required if those systems are installed
- Certain signs (e.g., required public-warning signs, very small incidental ID signs). The County lists specific signs exempt from permitting in its development guide
- Minor non-structural changes like painting, tiling, cabinets/countertops, carpet, non-structural repairs, portable heating/ventilation/cooling units, etc. (See the full FBC §105.2 list.)
When in doubt, contact the Okaloosa County Building Department for confirmation.
Okaloosa County building permit cost
Permit fees in Okaloosa County are typically calculated based on project type, square footage, or construction valuation. Here’s a breakdown of common fee ranges.
Additional fees:
- Plan review fees:
- Commercial applications pay $25 or 25% of the total permit cost (whichever is greater) at application (credited at issuance)
- Residential plan review is $25 or 20% of total permit cost (whichever is greater) (collected at issuance)
- Re-submittals/addenda: $75 (commercial) / $30 (residential)
- Reinspection:
- 1st = $50
- 2nd = $100
- 3rd+ = $150 (per trip/per trade).
- Early power: $50 residential, $75 commercial (no base fee on early power)
- Special evening/weekend inspections: $100/hr (1-hr min)
- TCO: $150 (each issuance/renewal)
- Base fee: $70 applies to all building permits and each sub-permit (e.g., plumbing/electrical/mechanical)
Find more details about permit costs in the Okaloosa County building permit fee schedule.
Okaloosa County trade permits
Plumbing permits
Plumbing permits are required for any new installations, replacements, or major alterations involving water supply or drainage systems.
Note: Add the $70 base fee to every plumbing/gas sub-permit.
Electrical permits
Required for all wiring, panel upgrades, service connections, and new circuits.
Feeders/branch circuits (each breaker/fuse):
- Up to 60A $5
- 61–200A $10
- 201–800A $15
- 801A+ $3 per 200A interval
Common items:
- Temp service pole $50
- Temp wiring $50
- Pre-wire $50
- Service connect/re-connect $50
- Commercial pools $75
- Burglar/fire alarms: $100 / $150 / $200 / $250 by job value tier
Residential fees
Square footage add-on (new residential):
- Up to 1,000 sf $25
- 1,001–2,000 $45
- 2,001–3,000 $75
- 3,001–4,000 $100
- $25 per additional 500 sf beyond 4,001
Other items:
- Res. temp service pole (with original permit) $25
- Pre-wire $25
- Service connect/re-connect $25
- Misc. wiring $5 per circuit
- Pools/spas $50
- Service pole $50
- Burglar/fire alarms $70 / $100 / $150 / $200 by value tier
HVAC permits
HVAC permits are mandatory for system replacements, ductwork, or new installations in residential and commercial properties.
For more information on trade permit fees, see the Inspection & Permitting Fees page.
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How to get a building permit in Okaloosa County
Step 1: Prepare your plans and documents
Have the items required by the County’s checklists ready before you apply. Typical items include: proof of ownership, a completed Okaloosa County building permit application (notarized), signed/sealed construction drawings (PDF), site plan/survey, product approvals, and energy-code documentation when applicable.
Collect documents according to your specific project checklist:
- New commercial building permit checklist
- Residential additions
- Fences and walls
- Commercial interior remodel/Build out
- Deck
- Re-roof permit
Note: Some scopes (e.g., window/door change-outs, siding, reroofs) use the General Building Permit guide with a product-approval sheet.
Step 2: Submit your application
You can use the Okaloosa County Building Permit Search to look up permits and estimate fees, but submittals currently run through the Growth Management
department. The County’s permitting page instructs users to email permit applications to mypermit@myokaloosa.com.
Step 3: Plan review
Growth Management routes your submission for applicable reviews (building/structural, planning & zoning, fire, drainage, etc.). Review timelines vary by scope and workload. You’ll receive comments/corrections if needed.
Note: Commercial and residential plan review fees apply.
Step 4: Pay fees and receive your permit
When reviews are approved, the County will invoice you. After payment, your permit is issued (the office handles fees and issuance; the portal can help you confirm amounts).
Step 5: Begin construction and schedule inspections
Schedule inspections by:
- Email: gminspections@myokaloosa.com
- Phone: 850-651-7180 or 850-689-5080
- In person at one of two locations:
- Crestview location:
- 812 E. James Lee Blvd. Crestview, FL 32539
- Shalimar location:
- 1250 N. Eglin Pkwy. Shalimar, FL 32579
- Crestview location:
Daily inspection activity is visible online.
Okaloosa County permitting resources
- Okaloosa County Building Department
- Address: 812 E James Lee Blvd, Crestview, FL 32539
- Phone: (850) 689-5080
- Email: mypermit@myokaloosa.com
- Permit Portal: https://permits.myokaloosa.com
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Schedule inspection:
- Phone: (850) 651-7180
- Phone: (850) 689-5080
- Email: gminspections@myokaloosa.com
- Online forms
- Okaloosa County building permit form
- Inspection & permitting fees
- Development guide
- FBC §105.2
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