Walton County Building Division issues building permits for property inside the City of Freeport. Before you apply to the County, you must get a review letter from the City of Freeport Planning & Zoning Department.
What requires a permit in Freeport?
For property inside the Freeport city limits, the City of Freeport Planning Department is where you start. Walton County's building permit checklist requires a planning-approved site plan with a review sheet or letter, and lists Freeport City Limits (850) 835-2340 as the planning contact.
Walton County then issues the building permit for new construction, additions, remodeling, reroofs, pools, fences, decks and other work, plus standalone electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits. A separate City clearing permit is required if trees outside the building footprint and driveway are to be removed.
Who issues building permits in Freeport?
The City of Freeport Planning & Zoning Department reviews the project and issues the review letter. Walton County Building Division reviews the plans, issues the permit and performs inspections.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| City planning review | City of Freeport Planning & Zoning, 16040 Business 331, Freeport; (850) 835-2340; Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| County Building | Walton County Building Division, 117 E. Sloss Ave., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 |
| County phone | 850-892-8160 |
| County hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
Walton County's Freeport building office is temporarily closed. The Building Department now works from the main office at 117 E. Sloss Ave. in DeFuniak Springs.
Building and trade permit types
Walton County publishes a Building Permit Application and checklist, a Standalone Permit Application for electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical work, and separate applications for mobile homes, residential and commercial pools, driveways and construction trailers, plus reroof forms.
Commercial and multifamily projects need a development order from the planning department with an approved site plan and review sheet; Freeport is listed as the planning contact for projects inside the City.
Walton County building permit fees for Freeport projects
Walton County Resolution 2025-70 establishes the County's building permit fee schedule. The valuation schedule lists a $35 minimum through $7,000 of value; $35 plus $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction from $7,000.01 through $15,000; and $75 plus $4 per additional $1,000 or fraction from $15,000.01 through $50,000.
Higher valuation bands continue at lower per-$1,000 rates. Plan review is 10 percent of the calculated permit fee, with a $25.00 minimum, and re-inspections cost $30.00 per trip per trade. The City of Freeport also charges a $50.00 review fee for its planning review, payable by check or cash.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Resolution 2025-70 abated these County fees to $0 until September 30, 2026, unless terminated earlier or extended by the County. That period has now ended.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trades
Walton County issues electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits on its Standalone Permit Application, and its Building Division performs electrical inspections. Mechanical fees start at $35.00 for the first $4,000.00 of valuation.
Application documents for Freeport projects
For the City review, Freeport's building permit checklist asks for a copy of the notarized Walton County building permit application, parcel number and legal description, proof of ownership, a boundary survey, a topographic survey in flood zones other than Zone X, the development order, floor plans and elevations, a site plan, a water and sewer availability letter, a contractor's utility letter, any Architecture Review Board approval, clearing verification, an elevation certificate in a flood zone and the $50.00 review fee.
The Walton County building permit checklist then requires the County application, the City's planning-approved site plan and review letter, utility or septic documentation, energy forms and product approval information.
The City allows 7-10 business days for its review once all documents are received, then emails its approval to the contractor for the County submittal.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to apply: 6-step Freeport process
Check the tax bill: if City of Freeport is listed as a line item, the property is inside the city limits.
Drop off the City review packet at the Planning & Zoning front desk with the $50.00 fee and allow 7-10 business days for the review letter.
Use the current County building checklist, plans, proof of ownership, utility/septic information, product approvals and trade forms.
Submit the County application with the City review letter. Walton County's online EnerGov self-service portal is used to pay invoices and see scheduled inspections.
Pay the County permit and plan review fees, answer review comments and get the County permits issued before work begins.
Pass the County inspections and submit the foundation survey to Freeport Planning & Zoning after the foundation is poured and before the building goes vertical.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections for Freeport projects
Walton County Building Division performs building and electrical inspections. Scheduled inspections can be viewed in the County's online self-service portal. Re-inspections cost $30.00 per trip per trade.
Freeport also requires a foundation survey after the foundation is poured but before the building goes vertical. The City allows 7-10 business days to review it and emails its approval to Walton County and the contractor.
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
Official Freeport and Walton County resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- County permit fee resolution
- Building permit checklist
- County permit applications
- Walton County Building Division
- City of Freeport Planning & Zoning Department
- City of Freeport building permit checklist and process
- Florida Building Commission
Freeport permit FAQs
Does the City of Freeport issue the building permit?
No. The City of Freeport Planning & Zoning Department reviews the project and issues a review letter. Walton County Building Division issues the building permit and performs inspections.
Where do I submit the building application?
First at the City of Freeport Planning & Zoning office, 16040 Business 331, for the review letter. Then with Walton County Building Division, 117 E. Sloss Ave., DeFuniak Springs, (850) 892-8160.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Is the Walton County $0 permit-fee abatement still active?
Resolution 2025-70 abated the County fees to $0 until September 30, 2026, unless extended by the County. That period has ended.
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More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Freeport permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.