Building and Permitting

New Online Permitting System Coming Soon

The Building Department is in the process of implementing Oracle's Fusion Cloud Public Sector - Community Development Permitting system. This system will facilitate processing permit applications from submission to closure using an online web-based application replacing the current paper-dependent process. The new online system is expected to go live in mid-2022, possibly in July.

Monroe County Specialty Licenses (Certificates of Competency holders):

Chapter 2021-214, Laws of Florida became effective on July 1, 2021 relating to preemption of local occupational licensing (HB 735). To protect and service certain specialty license holders and those requiring their services, the BOCC amended Monroe County Code Chapter 6-240. The amended Code section will provide that in order to provide a reasonable transition period for those license holders affected by the enactment of chapter 2021-214, Laws of Florida, specialty contractor licenses that were active as of June 30, 2021 shall continue to be valid, and will not expire, until June 30, 2023.

Should you have any questions related to this matter please contact us by email at Contractor-license@monroecounty-fl.gov .

Permit Applications and Review

The Building Department intakes and issues permits for all types of development, including plan reviews by planning, environmental, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electric, floodplain, and fire. 

Use the plan review matrix to see permit types, the various disciplines that review each permit type, and estimated turnaround times for permit submittals.

Permit Applications

Services are provided between 8:30 am and 3 pm at each permitting office. 

Plans examiners, inspectors, planners, and biologists are now available for meetings with customers at our offices. Please keep in mind that many personnel travel between offices, perform inspections, and have other scheduled meetings. Therefore we are highly encouraging you to make an appointment. We will do our best to meet without an appointment however unscheduled meetings cannot be guaranteed.

Calculate the estimated amount of your payment using the fee estimator. If the fee amount you submit isn’t correct, it will be adjusted at permit issuance or you will be asked to mail in the difference.

Inspections

Call 305-295-5160 to request an inspection. 

For the safety of you and our inspectors:

  • Please use electronic communication and social distancing before and during inspections. Inspectors will call the contact phone number associated with the permit prior to their arrival.  
  • Have plans ready and open to pertinent pages for all inspections to occur at the site.  
  • Forms and affidavits will NOT be accepted in the field.  
  • For items such as AC change-outs, size of the breaker in the panel, a photo may be requested by the inspector.

Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

Staff will contact permit holders who are ready to receive a CO via email.

Additional Information on Permitting

Outside Agencies Approvals

Prior to commencing construction, the contractor, owner, or builder must first apply to obtain a permit. Obtaining a permit may require the interaction and approval of several agencies outside of the Building Department; with small exceptions, each of these agencies charges fees for their review procedures. The Building Department works to coordinate the involvement of other agencies in the permitting process to obtain a building permit in the most expedient manner while maintaining the county’s high level of quality. This service is not a substitute for a customer’s responsibility to interact with all participating agencies.

Asbestos

Permitting Process for Sewer Tie-In

Public (Commercial) Swimming Pools


Shipping/Storage Containers


Federal Rules for Renovating & Painting Older Buildings

The Environmental Protection Agency has rules regarding the renovation and repair of painted surfaces in buildings built prior to 1978 or in buildings with children. Contractors removing windows or painting must be certified and must follow certain safety procedures. These rules only require safety procedures, not testing or removing lead-based paint. Property managers and contractors can be fined $38,000 a day for violating these rules.

Additional Agencies

Depending upon the location and use of the proposed improvement, the following agencies may also be involved in the processing of a permit

Mission Statement

The mission of the Building Department is to protect public health and safety, property, and the environment by providing an efficient, effective, and considerate permitting and code administration system, in accordance with the Monroe County Code and Florida statutes consistent with and furthering the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan.