Clermont, Florida Building Permit Guide

City of Clermont Building Services, at City Hall, 685 W. Montrose Street, issues building and trade permits inside city limits. Contractors apply online in eTRAKiT and owner-builders apply in person. A new home is $0.40 per sq ft under roof (minimum $78), a fee that already includes plan review and initial inspections, and re-roof permits are issued over the counter.

What requires a building permit in Clermont?

Clermont states that a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of a building or structure, and for regulated electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing installations. Inside a home, the city lists work that does not need a building permit: painting, flooring or tile; replacing existing plumbing fixtures such as a faucet or toilet; replacing existing lighting fixtures; and re-screening or screen door replacement.

Building Services publishes a permit guide for each common residential job:

The City’s FAQ adds that kitchen cabinet replacement does not need a permit. Fences may be no taller than 6 feet behind the building line and 4 feet in front of it.

Clermont building department: who handles permitting

Building Services has three sections: Permitting (intake, completeness checks and issuance), Plans Review (Florida Building Code plus the City’s zoning, drainage and floodplain rules) and Inspections. The Fire Department, Public Works and Utilities also review plans and inspect where the job requires, and the Fire Marshal’s Office enforces the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

A Clermont mailing address does not guarantee the property is in the city. On the Lake County Property Appraiser site, the Millage Group and City field shows a number for unincorporated Lake County or a code such as GR (Groveland) or MI (Minneola) for other cities.

Clermont permit types and filing

Each permit guide lists the forms, fees, reviews and inspections for that job. Most applications pass an intake sufficiency check, then zoning, landscape and irrigation, and building review as needed; re-roofs are issued over the counter without review once the application is complete.

Contractors: any state-licensed contractor may pull permits. Certified contractors hold a state licence; registered contractors also need a Lake County competency card. To use eTRAKiT, file the Qualifier Registration Form ($35 for a new contractor) with your licence, Business Tax Receipt where applicable, and liability and workers’ compensation certificates naming the City of Clermont, by email to inspection@clermontfl.org.

Owner-builders: you can pull a permit if you own and live in the home, by signing the owner-builder affidavit with proof of ownership and applying in person on the 2025 Building Permit Application.

Private providers: firms register once with the City at no charge. If a private provider does the plan review, a private provider must also do all inspections.

Clermont building permit cost

Fees come from the Building Services Fee Schedule (December 2024 edition, with rates revised May 15, 2024). Most permits are priced per square foot with a $78 minimum.

For example, a 2,500 sq ft house under roof has a $1,000 building permit fee. The City’s FAQ puts the average fence permit under 300 feet at about $89, so expect more than the $40 base rate. Expedited plan review, where offered, is $900 per submittal plus fire fees. Work without a permit is charged double, or $150 if greater. No more than 50% of a permit fee is refunded.

Impact and utility fees (residential schedule effective October 1, 2024) are paid before the permit is issued. For a three-bedroom house they come to $2,984 for parks, $580 for police, $1,370 for fire, $2,836 for water and $4,830 for wastewater, or $12,600, plus $542 for the water meter and the $45 zoning clearance.

Trade permits in Clermont

Electrical and low-voltage, mechanical and plumbing work each have their own City permit guide. Under the fee schedule:

The Fire Marshal’s Office adds its own review fees on commercial jobs, such as larger gas tanks and rooftop units over 5 tons.

Application documents

For a new single-family home the City asks for:

• The completed application, including subcontractor details
• Owner-builder affidavit and proof of ownership, or contractor registration
• A Utility Service Request Form for the water meter
• A site plan showing all new and existing structures, distances to lot lines and street and finished grades
• Landscape and irrigation plans with a legend for emitters, sensors, controller, zones and valves
• Construction plans, signed and sealed where required, with the truss package, Florida product approval numbers and energy calculations

Before the Certificate of Occupancy, provide the Notice of Commencement, blower door test report, form board survey, flood elevation certificates where applicable, and the termite certificate. Re-roofs need product approval numbers, a Notice of Commencement for jobs over $5,000 and the 2024 Re-Roof Affidavit before the final.

How to get a building permit in Clermont

Inspections in Clermont

Contractors who applied online schedule inspections in eTRAKiT; owner-builders request them by email at inspection@clermontfl.org or by calling 352-241-7315. Schedule before 4:00 p.m. the day before. The required inspections appear on the job card, and depending on the job they may be done by Building Services, the Fire Department, Public Works or Utilities.

A permit stays active only with an approved inspection at least every six months, and becomes void if work does not start and pass an inspection within six months of issue. Re-inspections cost $105, and after-hours, weekend and holiday inspections $150 an hour with a 2-hour minimum.

Local Clermont details that matter

Trees: removing any tree needs a $25 permit with a site plan showing all canopy, understory and palm trees; the City decides from the lot size and remaining trees whether replacements are required.

Landscaping and irrigation: new homes go through a landscape and irrigation review, and homeowners can buy a separate irrigation meter ($542), which the City sets but the owner connects.

Accessory dwelling units: the City adopted Ordinance 2026-001 adjusting impact fees for ADUs, and publishes a separate ADU permit guide.

Codes: the City enforces the 8th Edition Florida Building Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code with no local amendments.

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

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Clermont?

City of Clermont Building Services, at City Hall, 685 W. Montrose Street (352-241-7315).

How much is a building permit for a new house in Clermont?

$0.40 per sq ft under roof, with a $78 minimum, which covers plan review and initial inspections. City impact and utility fees for a three-bedroom house add $12,600.

Can I pull a permit as the homeowner?

Yes, if you own and live in the home. Sign the owner-builder affidavit and apply in person.

Does a fence require a permit?

Yes, including repairs and replacements. Fences are limited to 6 feet behind the building line and 4 feet in front.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

Yes. The permit is $25 regardless of how many trees, and replacements may be required.

How long is a permit valid?

You need one approved inspection every six months to keep it active.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Contractors use eTRAKiT; homeowners email inspection@clermontfl.org or call 352-241-7315, before 4:00 p.m. the day before.

Clermont 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.

• Building permitting information
• Florida Building Commission
• Building Services
• Building Services fee schedule
• Inspections information
• Online services (eTRAKiT)
• New single-family home permit guide
• Roof or re-roof permit guide
• Building permit application (2025)
• Qualifier registration form
• Residential impact, meter and zoning clearance fees
• Private providers
• Building Services FAQ

Simplify Clermont 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 Clermont permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.