Hendry County Building & Licensing issues building and trade permits for the unincorporated county from offices in LaBelle (863-675-5245) and Clewiston (863-983-1463); the Cities of LaBelle and Clewiston run their own permitting. Apply through BS&A Online, by email or in person with a $65 application fee, and expect a plan review fee of 30% of the base permit fee and County impact fees on new homes since February 10, 2025.
What requires a building permit in Hendry County?
Building & Licensing issues permits for all new construction, additions, remodels, renovations, service equipment changes and general construction. Its online permit categories and fee schedule list, among others:
Building
- New homes, guest houses, coach houses and barndominiums
- Additions, porches, decks, pool enclosures and garage enclosures
- Windows, doors, water heaters and remodels
- Re-roofs
- Mobile, modular and park model homes
- Fences, sheds and pole barns
- Docks and boat lifts
- Demolition, land clearing and ponds
Trades and systems
- Electrical services, generators and alarm systems
- Solar panels and other energy-generating devices
- Plumbing
- A/C change-outs and new mechanical units
- Propane and liquid gas installations
- Commercial fire sprinkler and suppression systems
- Signs and communication towers
Small-job exemption: since July 1, 2026 a state law has let owners of single-family homes skip the building permit for work valued under $7,500. In Hendry County it does not cover property in a flood hazard area, any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work, or commercial buildings. Email the County’s Building Permit Exemption packet and the contract to permit@hendryfla.net; there is no fee.
Who handles permitting in Hendry County?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Hendry County Building & Licensing |
| LaBelle office | 640 S. Main Street, LaBelle, FL 33935; 863-675-5245 |
| Clewiston office | 1100 Olympia Street, Clewiston, FL 33440; 863-983-1463 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 2340, LaBelle, FL 33975 |
| permit@hendryfla.net (permits); inspection@hendryfla.net (inspections); contractors@hendryfla.net (contractor registration) | |
| Building Official | Eric Longshore, buildingofficial@hendryfla.net |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The County serves the unincorporated areas. The City of Clewiston’s Community Development Department issues permits only inside city limits and sends questions about Harlem, Sky Valley, Montura and Montura Ranch, Flaghole, Pioneer, Hookers Point and the Tropical area to the County offices. The City of LaBelle publishes its own residential, commercial and mobile home building permit applications for property inside the city.
Applying online and County forms
Permits are filed through BS&A Online, by email or in person. BS&A has separate links for homeowners and contractors to apply and schedule inspections; contractors create a BS&A account and send their registration, state licence, business tax receipt, workers’ compensation and liability insurance to contractors@hendryfla.net. The County’s Online Permit Type Submission Guide tells applicants which permit type to choose for each kind of project.
Forms published by Building & Licensing include the Building Permit Application (March 2026), fence and sign applications, a structural inspection application for mobile homes 5 years old or more, a Permit Authorization Form for contractors, harmless letters for contractors and owner-builders, the Solid Waste Disposal Plan, a roof affidavit, an agricultural exempt building affidavit and a revision request form. Mobile home permits must be pulled by a licensed mobile home installer.
Owners who hire a private provider for plan review or inspections get a fee credit, and the provider firm registers once with the County by emailing its packet to contractors@hendryfla.net.
Hendry County permit fees
Fees come from the County’s 2026 adopted Building Department fee schedule. The building permit fee is based on the contract price or, without one, on the County’s unit values: $60 per sq ft for living and other enclosed finished areas, and $35 per sq ft for garages, carports, lanais, porches and screened areas.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Project value up to $149,999 | $65 plus $4 for each additional $1,000 or fraction over $1,999 |
| Project value $150,000 and over | $664 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction over $150,000 |
| Plan review | 30% of the base building permit fee |
| Application deposit (non-refundable) | $65, credited to the permit at issuance |
| Energy code review | $45 |
| Certificate of Occupancy / Completion | $30 |
| Building permit certification surcharge | 1.0% of the permit fee ($2 minimum) |
| Construction Industry Recovery Fund | 1.5% of the permit fee ($2 minimum) |
| Training surcharge | $0.02 per sq ft |
| Mobile home, single / double / triple wide | $450 / $550 / $650, including all required inspections |
| Fence, demolition, or solar and other energy devices | $65 each |
| Re-inspection | $60 |
| Land clearing | $150 |
| Renewal of an expired permit | 50% of the original fee |
| Work started without a permit | 4 times the building permit fee |
Impact fees: building permits submitted on or after February 10, 2025 pay County impact fees. On the adopted schedule a detached single-family home pays $6,714 in total ($6,249 in Clewiston) and a mobile home $6,539 ($6,131 in Clewiston), covering transportation, EMS, correctional, law enforcement and school fees. Permits submitted before that date that sit idle for 6 months or more expire, and the impact fee plus the renewal or new permit fee must then be paid before further inspections.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire fees
Trade permits are issued by Building & Licensing and each has a $65 minimum. On the 2026 schedule:
- Electrical: new services are $0.90 per amp for the first 100 amps and $0.60 per amp above that; three-phase services are multiplied by 1.73. Temporary power for a construction trailer is $65.
- Plumbing: a base fee by drain size, from $90 for a 3-inch drain and $135 for a 4-inch drain.
- Mechanical: $0.07 per sq ft of conditioned space, plus $6 for each gas appliance.
- Fire: the schedule also lists fire prevention fees, such as $45 for each building or site plan review and $2 per device for alarm systems ($65 minimum).
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Electrical permit applications state the amps and phases and include a site plan; A/C change-outs give the tonnage, SEER and system type, and new duct work needs duct plans.
Application documents
The County’s Permit Application Check List goes in with every submittal. For a new home or commercial building it asks for:
- The $65 application fee by check or money order payable to Hendry Co. BOCC
- Contractor and subcontractor licence details and the contract price, or the state owner-builder affidavit (signed at issuance) plus a recorded deed or current tax bill
- One hard copy of the construction plans, plus a PDF if the sheets are larger than 11×17
- A signed and sealed boundary survey stating the flood elevation, and a site plan showing all structures and their distances to every property line
- A Product Approval List for exterior doors, windows, roofing and siding, and energy calculations signed by the preparer
- Signed and sealed truss layout and engineering, which must also be on site for inspection
- The septic permit payment receipt, the driveway permit (or proof of private access) and the waste agreement form
The plan review guidelines also require a foundation plan showing the proposed first floor elevation under Land Development Code Sec. 1-55-54, wind load design that is sealed by an engineer or architect or certified by the contractor, and a one-line diagram and load calculations for homes of 3,000 sq ft or more.
How to apply: the County’s 6 steps
Submit the septic application to Environmental Health, 1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle (863-674-4041), before the building permit.
From PLCDD for Port LaBelle (863-675-5770), Central County for Montura (863-983-5797), County Engineering in LaBelle for other areas (863-675-5222) or FDOT on state roads.
File online in BS&A, by email or in person with the checklist documents, septic payment receipt and driveway permit.
Building & Licensing contacts you when the permit is ready or more information is needed; send missing items to permit@hendryfla.net.
Pay by check, money order or card; a permit paid in cash must be paid at the Courthouse.
Record the Notice of Commencement at the Courthouse if the job value requires one, then post the permit on the property.
Rather not deal with the Hendry County building department?
Get a free quote →Hendry County inspections
Request inspections in BS&A Online, by email to inspection@hendryfla.net or by phone (863-675-5245 or 863-983-1463), giving the permit number. Requests must be in before 3:30 p.m. for the next business day. A failed inspection costs $60 to re-inspect.
The County’s inspection order for a new house runs: footer (stem-wall houses only); underground plumbing; setbacks, soil treatment, compaction test and foundation together; tie or bond beam (not needed on wood-frame houses); truss; roof sheathing; wall sheathing (wood-frame houses); dry-in; final roof; second rough plumbing; rough electric; rough HVAC; framing, with windows and doors installed; lath and stucco (wood-frame houses); insulation; then final HVAC, plumbing, electric and building. Port LaBelle homes also get a water service inspection and coach houses a sewer connection inspection.
Soil treatment and compaction reports must be on site and emailed to permit@hendryfla.net, and the approved plans and manufacturers’ installation manuals must be on site for every inspection.
Local Hendry County details that matter
Flood zones: Hendry County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces its flood ordinance (2023-16). The Building Department answers flood zone questions on 863-675-5329 and emails copies of existing elevation certificates on request to permit@hendryfla.net.
Port LaBelle: new homes there may need a Port LaBelle utility account form with the permit, and the inspection order adds a water service inspection.
Waste: new construction and re-roof applications include a waste agreement form, and the County’s Solid Waste Disposal Plan form covers either a Waste Connection contract or use of the County transfer stations.
Liens: the department runs lien searches for $40 per parcel; send requests to liensearch@hendryfla.net.
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
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Hendry County permit search and official resources
- Hendry County Building Permit Application (March 2026)
- Hendry County — Residential Plan Review Guidelines
- Hendry County — New House Inspection Order
- Hendry County — BS&A Online Permit Services
- Hendry County Building & Licensing
- Hendry County 2026 adopted Building Department fee schedule
- Hendry County Permit Application Check List
- Hendry County permitting flow chart: single-family home or mobile home
- Hendry County Plans Review Guidelines: Commercial
- Hendry County Building & Licensing FAQs (impact fees, permit exemption)
- Hendry County impact fee schedule
- City of Clewiston Permitting
- City of LaBelle building forms and permit applications
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Hendry County permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Hendry County?
Hendry County Building & Licensing, from offices at 640 S. Main Street in LaBelle and 1100 Olympia Street in Clewiston, for the unincorporated county. The Cities of LaBelle and Clewiston issue permits inside their own limits.
How much is a building permit in Hendry County?
The base fee is $65 plus $4 per $1,000 of value over $1,999 for projects under $150,000, and $664 plus $5 per $1,000 over $150,000 above that. Plan review adds 30% of the base fee, plus surcharges and trade permits.
Does Hendry County charge impact fees?
Yes, on permits submitted since February 10, 2025. A detached single-family home pays $6,714 under the adopted schedule, or $6,249 in Clewiston.
Do I need a permit for small repairs on my house?
Owners of single-family homes can apply for an exemption for work under $7,500 that is not electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work and not in a flood hazard area. The exemption packet is emailed to permit@hendryfla.net, with no fee.
How do I schedule an inspection?
In BS&A Online, by email to inspection@hendryfla.net, or by phone, before 3:30 p.m. for the next business day.
Who pulls the permit for a mobile home?
A licensed mobile home installer. A double-wide permit is $550 and includes all required inspections.
What do I need before applying for a new home?
The septic application with Environmental Health and a driveway permit from the right road authority, then the permit checklist documents, including a sealed survey showing the flood elevation.
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More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Hendry County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.