Broward County permitting works differently from most of Florida. The county's Building Code Services Division issues permits only for the Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD — unincorporated Broward) and a handful of contract cities. Broward is also a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone county, and code administration countywide is overseen by the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals.
This guide covers what triggers a permit, how fees work, the ePermits OneStop submission process, county-level reviews that apply even inside cities, trade permits, and inspections — so your Broward project keeps moving.
Most of Broward is incorporated. The county directly permits only unincorporated BMSD and contract cities; Broward's roughly 30 municipalities (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar and more) run their own building departments. Even then, many projects still need a separate Broward County Development & Environmental Review — start with your city, then file the county permit.
What requires a building permit in Broward County?
Under the Florida Building Code (§105.1) as administered through the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals, a permit is required before you erect, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of most structures and systems. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New buildings, additions, and tenant build-outs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC changeouts and boilers
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Pools and spas, signs, fences, and standby generators
- Low-voltage systems (alarm, data, landscape lighting)
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Permits must be issued before work begins. Starting without one exposes the property owner to penalties and after-the-fact fees, and can complicate financing and resale. File first.
Who handles permitting in Broward County?
Permitting for unincorporated Broward is administered by the county's Building Code Services Division, while Development & Environmental Review handles county-level impact/concurrency and environmental approvals that can apply even to municipal projects. Reviews are coordinated through ePermits OneStop.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Government Center West, 1 N. University Drive, Plantation, FL 33324 |
| building@broward.org | |
| Development & Env. Review | (954) 357-6666 |
| Online portal | ePermits OneStop — broward.org/ePermits |
| Code oversight | Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals |
| Enforced code | Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), incl. HVHZ provisions |
Submittals requiring county Development & Environmental Review are accepted only through ePermits OneStop. For projects inside a city, start the permit with the municipality, then file the associated Broward County permit online.
Broward County building permit cost
Broward building fees are set by the county fee schedule and are based on the type and valuation of work, with separate fees for each trade. County-level Development & Environmental Review, impact, and concurrency fees may apply in addition to your municipal permit fees.
Because the line items are adjusted periodically — for example, Broward shifted education-fee collection to the School Board of Broward County effective November 20, 2025 — always confirm current amounts on the county's fee schedule or at application before budgeting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Based on type and valuation of work; minimum fees apply |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade unless rolled into a master permit |
| Development & Env. Review | County review for impact, concurrency, and environmental items |
| Impact / concurrency fees | Assessed for qualifying new development |
| State surcharge | DBPR surcharge added per Florida statute |
| Work-without-permit | After-the-fact fees and penalties |
Want a precise number for a specific Broward County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Broward County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and licensed contractor, each filed against the master building permit.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, low-voltage systems, and most wiring alterations. Broward enforces the electrical provisions of the Florida Building Code with HVHZ amendments.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping. Fees follow the county schedule with a per-permit minimum.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, refrigeration, and boilers. Standby generators and fuel systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, pools and spas, signs, fences, and generators are permitted separately. As an HVHZ county, Broward requires roofing and exterior products to carry a current Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval suitable for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Verify your contractor's license. Confirm the contractor is licensed in Florida (DBPR, (850) 487-1395) and properly registered/certified for Broward before signing. The property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in Broward County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit, and determine whether your parcel is in unincorporated BMSD/a contract city (county permit) or a municipality (city permit plus any county review).
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, owner/parcel info and valuation, signed/sealed plans for structural or larger work, energy calcs, and HVHZ product approvals (NOAs) where applicable.
Start with the city, then file county permits
For municipal projects, open the permit with your city first; then submit the associated Broward County permit through ePermits OneStop.
Plan review & corrections
Building Code Services and, where applicable, Development & Environmental Review evaluate the submission. Upload revisions promptly if comments are issued.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay building, trade, and any county review/impact fees, then download the permit. Record and post a Notice of Commencement where required.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections through ePermits OneStop. Clear all required inspections to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy or Completion.
Inspections in Broward County
Schedule inspections through ePermits OneStop using your permit number. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. The permit and Notice of Commencement should be posted on site with approved documents available.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be paid before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official Broward County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Broward County Building Code Services
- 💻 ePermits OneStop
- 📋 Building permits overview
- 📘 Florida Building Code (8th Ed.)
- ⚖️ Board of Rules and Appeals
- 🪪 DBPR license verification
Simplify Broward County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Broward's split between municipal and county review, its HVHZ product rules, and its Board of Rules and Appeals administration mean a contractor can face dozens of distinct workflows. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Broward County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with expediters who know ePermits OneStop and Broward's county/municipal hand-offs — so your submissions go in clean and move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Broward County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Broward's BMSD vs. municipal split, HVHZ rules, and county review steps.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
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.
Ready to break ground in Broward sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Broward County permits — municipal and county — while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with Broward County Building Code Services before filing. This is not legal advice.