Callaway, Florida Building Permit Guide

Building permits for the City of Callaway are issued by EP Consultants, Inc. (E.P.C.I.), the City’s contracted building department at 205 W. 7th Street in Panama City, while zoning and development orders stay with the City. Residential permits cost $4.10 per $1,000 of valuation (minimum $40) plus $0.40 per $1,000 for plan review, and a residential re-roof is a flat $80.

What requires a permit in Callaway?

Callaway’s building FAQ says to call building staff at 850-874-9347 with a description of the work to find out whether a permit is needed. The E.P.C.I. fee schedule covers new homes, additions, remodels, accessory structures, re-roofs, commercial and agricultural buildings, changes of use, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and gas work, mobile home set-ups and demolition.

Many projects also need a City approval before or alongside the building permit:

Because building and development approvals are separate, a project can need both an E.P.C.I. building permit and a City of Callaway planning or development application.

Callaway building department: who handles permitting

E.P.C.I. receives building permit applications, reviews plans for building code compliance, issues permits, inspects work, issues certificates of occupancy, and carries out fire and life safety inspections of new and existing buildings for the City. The City’s Planning and Public Works departments handle development orders, driveways, trees and land clearing.

Callaway permit types and applications

The E.P.C.I. Application for Building Permit, linked from the City’s Building Permits page, asks for the owner and any separate title holder, the contractor’s state licence or competency card number, the parcel ID and legal description, the proposed use, whether the structure will be at least 30 feet from any body of water, the architect or engineer, bonding company and mortgage lender, and the water, sewer, well or septic arrangements.

The City’s own applications run in parallel. The accessory structure and addition development order needs a survey with the structure and setbacks drawn on it, or a scaled site plan with lot dimensions and setbacks, and incomplete submittals are not reviewed. A City development order review costs $500.

Owner-builders: you can do the work yourself within state law if the building is for your own use and occupancy and you do not sell, lease or rent it for a year; a permit is still required.

Permit costs and local fees

The E.P.C.I. fee schedule linked by the City (amended February 12, 2019) values construction from building valuation data per square foot, with the regional modifier, for all areas under roof.

For example, a $100,000 home addition has a building permit fee of $410 and a plan review fee of $40, before trade permits. Work started before the permit is issued is charged double.

City fees are separate. The City’s development fee schedule lists $500 for a development order review, $50 for an on-premise sign, $20 for clearing a residential lot, and tree removal permits that are free for dead or dangerous trees, $20 for other trees over 30 inches and $50 for commercial removals. A driveway permit is $50 with no piping or applicant-installed piping, or $500 when the City installs the pipe (plus $10 per foot beyond 40 feet).

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trade permits

E.P.C.I. issues electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas permits separately from the building permit. Plumbing, HVAC and electrical work on new structures, additions and alterations costs $0.65 per $1,000 of total valuation, with a $40 minimum. Gas permits are $40 for homes and for commercial jobs with up to 10 outlets, and $0.65 per $1,000 above that. Mobile home set-ups add $40 each for electrical and split mechanical systems, with no extra permit for plumbing or packaged mechanical units. Special and fire inspections that do not come with a permit are charged on the same basis.

Alliance handles electrical permit applications for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Application documents and plan requirements

Expect to provide:

• The completed E.P.C.I. building permit application with owner, contractor licence, parcel and utility details
• Construction plans, signed and sealed by the architect or engineer where the code requires
• For accessory structures and additions, the City development order application with a survey or scaled site plan showing setbacks
• For a new home on its own lot, the City’s residential individual-lot development order application
• For driveways crossing the City right-of-way, the driveway and piping permit with a copy of the deed or other proof of ownership
• For tree removal, the tree permit application with each tree’s type and diameter at 54 inches above ground and a sketch of its location

How to apply: 6-step local process

Inspections in Callaway

The city’s building FAQ states that inspections are performed every day as needed. Inspections requested before 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday are performed that day. Inspections before 6:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, or on weekends, may carry additional fees.

E.P.C.I. charges $50 for each re-inspection and $50 if a required inspection is not called in. Driveway piping on a previously undeveloped lot must run the full length of the ditch before the City issues its Certificate of Acceptance.

Local permitting details that matter

The City is the land-use authority and E.P.C.I. provides the building-code service, so a project may need a city development order or site approval as well as the building permit.

Driveways and culverts: pipe under the driveway must be reinforced concrete; Public Works sets the pipe diameter, and the address must be posted and the area flagged before pipe is delivered. The City lays sod for existing homes if you buy it.

Trees: tree permits are reviewed by Public Works under Ordinances 507 and 508 and Section 15.785.4 of the Land Development Regulations.

Waterfront lots: the building permit application asks whether the structure is at least 30 feet from any body of water.

Florida building code

The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), has applied statewide since 31 December 2023; the Florida Building Commission has proposed the 9th Edition (2026) to take effect on 31 December 2026. Florida permit rules

Callaway permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Florida Building Code - 8th Edition (2023)
• Building Fee Schedule
• Building Services FAQ
• Planning & Building Applications
• Building Permits
• E.P.C.I. building permit application
• Accessory structure / addition development order application
• Driveway and piping permit
• Tree permit application
• Development permits schedule of fees

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Callaway?

EP Consultants, Inc. (E.P.C.I.) issues building permits for Callaway under contract with the City, from its office at 205 W. 7th Street in Panama City. The City handles planning and development applications.

How much is a building permit in Callaway?

Residential work is $4.10 per $1,000 of valuation up to $250,000, with a $40 minimum, plus $0.40 per $1,000 for plan review. A $100,000 addition is $410 plus $40.

How much is a re-roof permit?

$80 for a residential re-roof. Commercial re-roofs are priced on valuation from $5.50 per $1,000.

Do I need a City approval as well as a building permit?

Often. Accessory structures, additions, new homes, pools, signs, driveways and tree removal have City applications alongside the E.P.C.I. building permit.

Can I do the work myself?

Yes, within state law, if the building is for your own use and you do not sell, lease or rent it for a year. You still need a permit.

How are inspections handled?

Inspections are performed every day as needed. Inspections requested before 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday are performed that day; early, late or weekend inspections may carry additional fees.

Simplify Callaway permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Florida. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Callaway permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.