Bradford County - Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, and the corridor between Gainesville and Jacksonville - issues building permits through Building, Zoning & Fire Prevention, located in the North Wing of the County Courthouse at 945 North Temple Avenue in Starke. It's a compact, three-function office covering building permits, zoning, and fire prevention review, and the county has adopted a new permit fee schedule - so figures quoted from older sources no longer apply.
Applies to unincorporated Bradford County. If the parcel is inside the City of Starke, or is served by City of Starke utilities, the City of Starke Building and Zoning Department handles it (904-964-5027). For Lawtey, Hampton and Brooker, confirm with the town or the county office before filing.
What requires a building permit in Bradford County?
Permit required
- New homes, additions, and commercial construction
- Structural or load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Roof replacements and window / door replacements
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Mobile and manufactured home set-ups and replacements
- Projects triggering fire prevention review
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
- Certain minor single-family work newly exempted by HB 803 (verify)
Florida requires a permit under the Florida Building Code (section 105.1) for most construction, alteration, repair, demolition and change of occupancy; since 1 July 2026 a narrow exemption covers some single-family work under $7,500, and single-family permits stay valid for at least a year. When a permit is required in Florida
Who handles permitting in Bradford County?
All permitting is administered by the Bradford County Building, Zoning & Fire Prevention through the Courthouse North Wing intake + online permit search (County permitting system).
- Address: County Courthouse, North Wing, 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091 (P.O. Box B)
- Hours: Mon–Thu 10:00am–4:30pm (closed 12:00–12:30; closed to the public 8–10am until further notice); Fri 8:00am–1:30pm · Phone: 904-966-6223 ext. 2
In 2025, building permits issued in unincorporated Bradford County authorized 66 new privately owned housing units, all of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
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Get a free quote →Bradford County permit types
A building permit is one record among many. Building, Zoning & Fire Prevention 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 |
Rather talk it over?
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 Bradford County
Solar and roofing work follow statewide rules on HOA limits, product approval, reroof inspections and hurricane mitigation. Solar and roofing rules in Florida
Bradford County building permit cost
Bradford County has adopted a new permit fee schedule - always price from the current schedule rather than prior-year figures:
How Bradford County permitting works
| Component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Per the county's NEW permit fee schedule, by permit type and valuation |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged per trade under the schedule |
| Fire prevention review | Handled in the same office for qualifying projects |
| Permit search (staff-run) | $25 check plus a request on letterhead mailed to 945 N. Temple Ave., Attn: Building Dept; 1-2 business days |
| Contractor COI / workers' comp | Emailed to the building department, made out to the Building Dept at 945 N. Temple Ave. |
Bradford County trade permits
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in Bradford County, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit through the Building, Zoning & Fire Prevention office.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixture relocations, and gas piping; fees follow the local schedule with per-permit minimums.
Rather not deal with the Bradford County building department?
Get a free quote →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, mobile home set-ups, 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 Bradford County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and that the parcel is unincorporated Bradford County. Parcels inside Starke or on City of Starke utilities go to the City of Starke Building and Zoning Department.
File contractor documents first
Email your certificate of insurance and workers' compensation coverage to the building department, made out to the Building Dept at 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke - this needs to be on file before permits issue.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, plans, energy calcs, and Florida Product Approvals for exterior components; fire prevention review applies to qualifying projects in the same office.
Submit at the courthouse
Email the application as a PDF to the building department, mail it, or bring it to the North Wing of the County Courthouse. Counter hours are Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:30pm (closed 12:00 to 12:30) and Friday 8:00am to 1:30pm. The office replies within two business days; if the Building Official must review plans, allow two to three weeks.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay under the county's new fee schedule, print the permit, and record a Notice of Commencement for work over $2,500.
Inspections through close-out
Schedule inspections online or at 904-966-6223 ext. 1 by 4:30pm one business day ahead, and pass the final before occupancy or use.
Inspections in Bradford County
Schedule online or by phone at 904-966-6223 ext. 1, one business day before you need the inspection and before 4:30pm; results are posted online. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough MEP trades, framing, insulation, and final, with fire prevention review folded into the same office for qualifying projects. Keep the permit and approved plans posted at the jobsite.
Official Bradford County permitting resources
- Bradford County Building & Zoning (official)
- Florida Building Code (8th Edition)
- Florida Product Approval search
- DBPR contractor license verification
Frequently asked questions
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →How much is a building permit in Bradford County?
Bradford has adopted a new permit fee schedule, so older quoted figures are out of date - price from the current schedule and confirm with the Building, Zoning & Fire Prevention office at the Starke courthouse before budgeting.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Bradford County?
Review time depends on project complexity and how complete the submission is. The county says permits sent by email are usually issued within 24 hours, but work that needs review by the Building Official takes two to three weeks. The single biggest factor you control is submitting a complete, correctly-documented package the first time; corrections restart the review clock. Counter hours are Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:30pm (closed 12:00 to 12:30) and Friday 8:00am to 1:30pm.
How do I look up a permit in Bradford County?
Two ways: run the self-service permit search linked from the county's Building & Zoning page, or mail a $25 check with your request on letterhead to 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091, Attn: Building Dept - staff searches take one to two business days.
What does a contractor need on file in Bradford County?
Email your certificate of insurance and workers' compensation coverage to the building department, made out to the Building Dept at 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke - having current documents on file before you apply prevents an issuance hold.
Can homeowners pull their own permits in Bradford 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 personally appear and sign the disclosure, supervise the work yourself, and not offer the property for sale or lease within one year of completion - and you take on the code-compliance and liability responsibilities a licensed contractor would normally carry.
How long is a Bradford 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 another 180 days. Extensions are requested through the building department before the permit lapses - reapplying after expiration means new fees and current-code review.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Bradford County?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Bradford 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 Bradford County?
Yes. A roof covering replacement almost always requires a permit in Florida, including Bradford 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 Bradford County?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Bradford 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 Bradford 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 Bradford County?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. Building, Zoning & Fire Prevention 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 Bradford permit types online?
Most record types are filed through courthouse intake and the online permit search, 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 Bradford County permitting with Alliance Permitting
A new fee schedule, tight counter hours, and a mail-in permit search process make Bradford a county where preparation saves trips. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Bradford County - we keep contractor documents current with the office, price from the new schedule, and manage submittal and review through issuance, so your Starke-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.