Building permits inside Orlando city limits are issued by the Permitting Services Division (Economic Development Department). Orlando runs a fully digital process — applications through the Orlando Digital Permits portal, plan review through ProjectDox, and a Permit Lookup tool for fees, inspections, and status.
Applies inside City of Orlando limits only. Surrounding unincorporated areas permit through Orange County's Fast Track system — check the parcel's jurisdiction first.
What requires a building permit in the City of Orlando?
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 (effective July 1, 2026) created additional building-permit exemptions for certain single-family residential work. Ask the permit counter whether your scope qualifies before assuming a permit is needed.
Permit required
- New residential, multifamily, and commercial construction
- Additions, garages, sheds, and porches
- Structural alterations, interior build-outs, and demolition
- Roof replacements and window / door replacements
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing, gas, and irrigation work
- Signs, pools, and screen enclosures
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)
Who handles permitting in the City of Orlando?
All permitting is administered by the City of Orlando Permitting Services Division through the Orlando Digital Permits (ProjectDox plan review system).
- Address: Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Avenue, 1st Floor, Orlando, FL 32801 · digitalpermits@orlando.gov
- Phone: (407) 246-2271
In 2025, building permits issued in City of Orlando authorized 2,986 new privately owned housing units, 945 of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
City of Orlando permit types
A building permit is one record among many. the Orlando Permitting Services 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.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →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 City of Orlando
Solar and roofing work follow statewide rules on HOA limits, product approval, reroof inspections and hurricane mitigation. Solar and roofing rules in Florida
the City of Orlando building permit cost
Orlando calculates permit fees from project valuation using published formulas, with percentage surcharges. Representative rows from the city's published commercial fee schedule:
Published fee formulas and surcharges (city schedule)
| Item | How it's calculated |
|---|---|
| Commercial plumbing / gas permit | $64.94 first $1,000 of cost + $10.81 per add'l $1,000 to $25,000; $8.12 per $1,000 above $25,001 |
| Commercial application fee | 25% of the initial estimated permit fee — non-refundable, credited to the final fee |
| Technology surcharge | 3% of the permit fee |
| Administrative inspection fund | 1.5% of the permit fee ($2 minimum) |
| DCA operational trust fund surcharge | 1% of the permit fee ($2 minimum) |
| Inspection cancellation (≤24 hrs notice) | $50 |
| Refund policy | City retains 25% of the permit fee or the minimum fee, whichever is greater |
the City of Orlando trade permits
Rather not deal with the City building department?
Get a free quote →Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in the City of Orlando, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit in Orlando Digital Permits.
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 the City of Orlando
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and that the parcel is inside Orlando city limits rather than unincorporated Orange County.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation details, signed and sealed plans, energy calcs, and product approvals; commercial applicants pay the 25% non-refundable application fee before digital plan submission.
Apply through Orlando Digital Permits
Submit online; the city emails a ProjectDox link for uploading digital plans once the application is processed.
Plan review & corrections
Reviews route through ProjectDox; upload corrections promptly — or elect a licensed private provider under F.S. 553.791 for plan review and inspections.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the valuation-based fees and surcharges, print the permit, and for work over $5,000 file the Notice of Commencement with the Orange County Comptroller first, then with the city, and post it on site.
Inspections through close-out
Schedule inspections through the Permit Lookup tool as phases complete; request the CO (new construction / change of use) or Certificate of Completion by email at the end.
Inspections in the City of Orlando
Schedule and track inspections through the city's Permit Lookup tool; cancel with more than 24 hours' notice to avoid the $50 fee. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough MEP trades, framing, insulation, and final, with the CO or Certificate of Completion issued on request after passage.
Official the City of Orlando permitting resources
- Orlando Permitting Services Division
- Permits & inspections hub
- Commercial fee schedule (official PDF)
- Orlando Digital Permits portal
- Florida Building Code (8th Edition)
- DBPR contractor license verification
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
How much is a building permit in Orlando?
Fees are valuation-based under published city formulas — for example, commercial plumbing/gas runs $64.94 for the first $1,000 of cost plus $10.81 per additional $1,000 up to $25,000 — plus a 3% technology surcharge, 1.5% administrative inspection fund, and 1% DCA surcharge. Commercial applicants also pay a 25% application fee credited to the final permit.
What is ProjectDox?
Orlando's digital plan review system. After your application is processed, the city emails a ProjectDox link where you upload plans, track review comments, and submit corrections — no paper sets.
Can I use a private provider in Orlando?
Yes. Under F.S. 553.791 you can hire a licensed private provider for plan review and inspections instead of the city, using Orlando's formal election process — a common way to compress commercial timelines.
Where do I file the Notice of Commencement?
For work over $5,000, file with the Orange County Comptroller's Office first, then provide it to the City of Orlando, and post it at the jobsite before the first inspection.
How long is an Orlando 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.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in City of Orlando?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in City of Orlando 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.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in City of Orlando?
Yes. A roof covering replacement almost always requires a permit in Florida, including City of Orlando. 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.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in City of Orlando?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in City of Orlando 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 City of Orlando?
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 City of Orlando?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. the Orlando Permitting Services 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 Orlando permit types online?
Most record types are filed through Orlando Digital Permits, 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 the City of Orlando permitting with Alliance Permitting
Valuation formulas, ProjectDox routing, and the two-step NOC filing make Orlando a city where clean packages move and messy ones stall. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for the City of Orlando — we prepare your submission, file it through Orlando Digital Permits, and manage review through issuance, with private-provider documentation prepared where that route fits.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for the City of Orlando because we deliver:
- Local expertise - we know City of Orlando Permitting Services Division and the Orlando Digital Permits process.
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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.