Bay County — Panama City, Panama City Beach’s surrounds, and the heart of Florida’s Hurricane Michael rebuild — issues building permits through the Building Safety Division at 840 W 11th Street, Panama City, for unincorporated Bay County, with applications, status, and inspections running through the Bay County CityView Portal. The county publishes a fee benchmark, has discounted building permit fees by 60% since September 2025, and issued a written HB 803 exemption bulletin.
Applies to unincorporated Bay County. Panama City (now on Cloudpermit), Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, and Callaway run their own municipal permit programs.
What requires a building permit in Bay County?
Under the Florida Building Code (§105.1), a permit is required before you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of most structures and systems. New for 2026: Florida HB 803 (signed May 6, 2026; effective July 1, 2026) created F.S. 553.79(1)(g), exempting certain single-family residential work from building permits when the full scope includes no electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, totals under $7,500, the property is not partly or wholly in a flood hazard area as defined by the Florida Building Code, and the owner or the owner’s contractor sends the building department a written exemption request with the contract or other proof of the work and its value. Local exemption procedures vary — confirm the process with the permit counter before skipping a permit. Bay County's official HB 803 bulletin — the source of those criteria — details the county's written exemption-request process.
Permit required
- New homes, additions, and commercial construction
- Structural or load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Roof replacements and window / door replacements (wind-rated)
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Pools, spas, and screen enclosures
- Sub-permitted trade work on new construction (sold separately)
Usually exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinets, and cosmetic finishes
- Like-for-like minor repairs that don't alter systems
- Routine maintenance that doesn't extend or reroute systems
- Qualifying single-family work under the HB 803 exemption (written request required)
Who handles permitting in Bay County?
All permitting is administered by the Bay County Building Safety Division through the Bay County CityView Portal (CityView system).
- Address: 840 W 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
- Phone: 850-248-8350 · Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
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Get a free quote →Bay County permit types
A building permit is one record among many. the Bay County Building Safety Division issues work under separate record types, and filing under the wrong one is a rejection, not a correction — the application is closed and refiled, and the review clock restarts.
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures over the exempt threshold | Full plan review (structural, energy, zoning) | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural or load-bearing changes, layout changes, substantial repair | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement and most major roof repair | Product approval review; dry-in and nail-off inspections | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount PV installation or replacement | Structural plus electrical review | Flat or system-size based |
| Solar thermal | Passive water heating or pool heating systems | Plumbing and structural review | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, most wiring alterations | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, gas piping | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts that are not like-for-like, ductwork, refrigeration | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Windows and doors | Replacement units and opening protection | Product approval review for wind-borne debris | Valuation or per-opening |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barrier and enclosure work | Plan review plus barrier and electrical bonding | Valuation-based |
| Fence and accessory | Fences, sheds, decks, and carports over the exempt threshold | Zoning plus structural where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification required | Flat |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily | Full multi-discipline plan review | Valuation-based |
| Tenant improvement | Interior build-outs and suite fit-ups | Plan review across affected disciplines | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Change of use | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Zoning, life-safety, and accessibility review | Valuation or flat |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement | Product approval review plus fire review where applicable | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount PV | Structural, electrical, and often fire review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, and gas systems | Trade review | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and suppression systems | Fire prevention plan review | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Demolition | Full or partial commercial demolition | Utility disconnect and environmental clearance | Flat or valuation-based |
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Master permit with trades filed against it
- Owner-builder route exists but carries statutory affidavits
- Product approval drives roofing and opening protection
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans across every affected discipline
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to change of use
- Impact and concurrency fees can apply on top of permit fees
Roofing permits in Bay County
Solar and roofing work follow statewide rules on HOA limits, product approval, reroof inspections and hurricane mitigation. Solar and roofing rules in Florida
Bay County building permit cost
Bay County’s FAQ gives a fee benchmark, and a temporary discount applies on top: under Resolution #4219 the county cut building permit fees by 60% for applications received on or after 22 September 2025, until the Board revises it. Resolution #4239 (November 2025) kept the 60% discount but calculates the state surcharge on the undiscounted fees. Confirm the current amounts with Building Safety before budgeting.
Published fee guidance (county sources)
| Item | How it works |
|---|---|
| Typical 2,500 sq ft single-family home | Roughly $1,600 including state surcharges and plan review fees, before impact fees, per the county’s FAQ |
| Sub-permits (E / P / M) | Sold separately from the building permit |
| Impact fees | May apply in addition to permit fees |
| Fee schedule basis | County fee schedule effective 1 July 2026 |
| Temporary discount | 60% off building permit fees (Resolution #4219, from 22 September 2025; modified by Resolution #4239, November 2025) |
Bay County trade permits
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in Bay County, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit in the CityView Portal.
Rather not deal with the Bay County building department?
Get a free quote →Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixture relocations, and gas piping; fees follow the local schedule with per-permit minimums.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations and changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration; specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Roofs, pools and spas, screen enclosures, and demolition are permitted separately. Exterior components need current Florida Product Approval rated for the local wind speed.
How to get a building permit in Bay County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit — or qualifies for the HB 803 written-request exemption per the county's bulletin — and confirm the parcel is unincorporated Bay County rather than Panama City or another municipality.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the complete application (the county stresses fully completed forms at submittal), plans, valuation, energy calcs, and wind-rated product approvals for the correct risk-category wind map.
Apply in the CityView Portal
Register at portal.baycountyfl.gov and submit the application, plans, and documents; the portal also handles planning applications and code cases.
Plan review & corrections
Building Safety routes the reviews; respond to comments promptly — incomplete forms are the county's stated top cause of delay.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the (currently discounted) permit and sub-permit fees plus applicable impact fees, print the permit, and record a Notice of Commencement for work over $2,500.
Inspections through close-out
Schedule inspections and view results in the CityView Portal as phases complete, and pass the final before occupancy or use.
Inspections in Bay County
Schedule inspections and check results directly in the CityView Portal. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough MEP trades, framing, insulation, and final, with wind-rated product verification on envelope work per the applicable risk-category wind map.
Official Bay County permitting resources
- Bay County Building Safety Division (incl. HB 803 bulletin)
- Permits — apply online
- Bay County CityView Portal
- Fee schedule
- Florida Building Code (8th Edition)
- DBPR contractor license verification
Frequently asked questions
How much is a building permit in Bay County?
The county’s FAQ puts a typical 2,500 sq ft site-built single-family home at roughly $1,600 including state surcharges and plan review fees, with impact fees possible on top. A temporary 60% discount on building permit fees has applied since 22 September 2025 (Resolutions #4219 and #4239). Confirm current amounts with Building Safety.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →What is Bay County's HB 803 exemption process?
Bay's official bulletin explains the new F.S. 553.79(1)(g) exemption: single-family work with no electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural scope, under $7,500 total, on a home outside any Special Flood Hazard Area — and it requires a written exemption request to the Building Official. Meet all four tests or pull the permit.
How do I do a Bay County permit search?
Use the CityView Portal (portal.baycountyfl.gov) — register an account to view property and permit details, check application status, and see inspection results in one place. No login is needed for basic record research, which makes it the fastest way to check an open permit, a property's permit history, or a contractor's activity before you buy, sell, or build.
How long does a Bay County permit take?
Review times vary with project scope, completeness, and department workload — complete first submissions move fastest, and resubmittals re-enter the queue. For a current estimate on your specific project, ask the permit counter when you file, and consider expedited or private-provider options where offered.
Can homeowners pull their own permits in Bay County?
Yes, with limits. Florida's owner-builder exemption (F.S. 489.103(7)) lets you permit work on a home you own and occupy, but you must appear and sign the disclosure, supervise the work, and not offer the property for sale or lease within one year of completion.
How long is a Bay County permit valid?
For a single-family home, Florida law keeps a permit valid for at least 1 year after issue, or until the next Florida Building Code edition takes effect if that is later (since 1 July 2026). For other work, a permit generally expires if work does not start within 180 days of issuance (or stalls for 180 days); each passed inspection typically extends it. Extensions are requested through the department.
Is there a building permit discount in Bay County right now?
Yes. Resolution #4219 cut building permit fees by 60% for applications received on or after 22 September 2025, until the Board revises it, and Resolution #4239 (November 2025) kept the discount while calculating the state surcharge on the undiscounted fees. Confirm the current amounts with the Building Safety Division at 850-248-8350 before budgeting, as temporary measures can end.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Bay County?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Bay County are permitted under a dedicated solar record type reviewed on both a structural and an electrical track. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a separate record. Under Fla. Stat. §163.04 a homeowners' association cannot ban solar panels, though it can decide where on the roof they go if that does not reduce their performance; HOA review is separate from the building permit. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate run in parallel with the permit, not inside it.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Does a roof replacement require a permit in Bay County?
Yes. A roof covering replacement almost always requires a permit in Florida, including Bay County. Products must carry a current Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance rated for the wind speed at the project address, and inspections usually run deck nailing, then dry-in, then final. Some minor repairs fall below the permit threshold, and a small single-family job under $7,500 can qualify for the written-request exemption under F.S. 553.79(1)(g), so ask the department first.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in Bay County?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Bay County runs concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning, requires signed and sealed plans for every affected discipline, and can carry impact and concurrency fees on top of permit fees. Change of use adds accessibility and life-safety review.
Do trade permits need to be pulled separately in Bay County?
Yes in most cases. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is permitted separately by the licensed contractor for each trade and filed against the master building permit. Each trade permit carries its own fee and its own inspection sequence.
What happens if I file under the wrong permit type in Bay County?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. the Bay County Building Safety Division closes the record, the filing is resubmitted under the correct record type, and the review clock restarts from zero. Confirming the record type before filing is the cheapest step in the entire process.
Can I apply for all Bay permit types online?
Most record types are filed through the Bay County CityView Portal, but availability varies by permit type and by applicant. Florida law requires building departments to accept completed applications electronically, but owner-builders must still appear in person to sign (F.S. 489.103(7)).
Simplify Bay County permitting with Alliance Permitting
A published fee benchmark, a temporary 60% permit discount and a written HB 803 exemption process make Bay County easier to plan for — if you know where to look. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Bay County — we prepare complete-at-submittal packages, file them in the CityView Portal, and manage review through issuance, so your Panama City-area project starts clean.
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance - including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of July 2026. Permit requirements, fees, codes, portals, and review timelines change; always confirm current details with the local permit authority before filing.