Escambia County’s building permits are issued by the Building Services Department at the Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola, for unincorporated Escambia County and the Town of Century, at Florida’s western tip. Applications, payments, permit printing, and inspection scheduling run through the MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) platform, and same-day inspections can be booked online until 6 a.m. or through the IVR line until 4:30 a.m.
Applies to unincorporated Escambia County and the Town of Century, which the county’s Building Services Department also permits. The City of Pensacola runs its own permit program — it also uses MGO, but as a separate jurisdiction.
What requires a building permit in Escambia County?
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 construction, additions, and build-outs
- Structural or load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Roof replacements and window / door replacements
- Air-conditioning installations and changeouts
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Aluminum structures — screen rooms, carports, pool enclosures
- Demolition of any structure
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 Escambia County?
All permitting is administered by the Escambia County Building Services Department through the MyGovernmentOnline (MGO / mgoconnect.org system).
- Address: 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, FL 32505
- Phone: (850) 595-3550
- Email: permits@myescambia.com (applications); buildinginspections@myescambia.com
- North Office (Cantonment): (850) 587-5770
In 2025, building permits issued in unincorporated Escambia County authorized 1,310 new privately owned housing units, 1,278 of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
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Get a free quote →Escambia County permit types
A building permit is one record among many. the Escambia County Building Services Department 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 Escambia County
Solar and roofing work follow statewide rules on HOA limits, product approval, reroof inspections and hurricane mitigation. Solar and roofing rules in Florida
Escambia County building permit cost
Escambia fees follow the county schedule by permit type and project scope; the county publishes a Building Permit Fee Estimate form so you can price the county portion before applying (other agencies' charges are separate):
How Escambia County fees are structured
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Per the county schedule; estimate with the official fee-estimate form |
| Trade permits (E / P / M / gas) | Charged per trade under the schedule |
| Re-inspection fee | Charged for failed or not-ready inspections; all must be paid before CO |
| Credit card service charge | Applies to online card payments |
| Work-without-permit | After-the-fact fees and penalties |
Escambia County trade permits
Rather not deal with the Escambia County building department?
Get a free quote →Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in Escambia County, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit in MyGovernmentOnline.
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 Escambia County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and that the parcel is in unincorporated Escambia County or the Town of Century — not the City of Pensacola.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application with the contractor's notarized signature (the office can notarize when a technician is available), plans, product approvals, and flood documentation where applicable.
Apply through MyGovernmentOnline
Create or log into an MGO account at mgoconnect.org and submit the application, plans, and documents — or email applications to permits@myescambia.com.
Plan review & corrections
Building Services routes the reviews; respond to comments promptly — resubmittals re-enter the queue.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay fees online (card service charge applies) or as instructed, print the permit from MGO, and record the certified Notice of Commencement where required.
Inspections through close-out
Schedule inspections in MGO or via the IVR at (850) 273-4864 — same-day inspections can be set if called in by 4:30 a.m. Pass the final and clear any re-inspection fees for your CO or Certificate of Completion.
Inspections in Escambia County
Schedule through the MGO Citizen Access portal or the IVR line at (850) 273-4864 — the IVR can set same-day inspections when called by 4:30 a.m. When construction is complete, all re-inspection fees are paid, and every inspection has passed, Building Services issues the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion.
Official Escambia County permitting resources
- Escambia County Building Services
- Permitting information
- Building permit fee estimate form (official)
- MyGovernmentOnline 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 Escambia County?
Fees follow the county schedule by permit type and scope. The county publishes an official Building Permit Fee Estimate form to price the Building Inspections portion in advance — charges from other agencies aren't included, and final costs are set when the application completes.
When do I need a Notice of Commencement in Escambia County?
For work over $2,500, with a certified recorded copy provided to the department when the contract is over $5,000 (for HVAC repair or replacement, at $15,000 and above). Record it before the first inspection and post it at the jobsite.
Can homeowners pull their own permits in Escambia 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 appear and sign the disclosure, supervise the work, and not offer the property for sale or lease within one year of completion.
How do I schedule an inspection?
Through the MGO portal or the IVR at (850) 273-4864 — the automated line can even set same-day inspections if you call by 4:30 a.m. Re-inspection fees must be cleared before the CO or Certificate of Completion issues.
How long is an Escambia 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. Extensions are requested through the department.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Escambia County?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Escambia 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.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in Escambia County?
Yes. A roof covering replacement almost always requires a permit in Florida, including Escambia 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.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in Escambia County?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Escambia 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 Escambia 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 Escambia County?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. the Escambia County Building Services Department 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 Escambia permit types online?
Most record types are filed through MyGovernmentOnline (MGO), 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)).
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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.