Holmes County permitting runs through the county Building Department, located inside the Board of County Commissioners office at 107 E. Virginia Ave. in Bonifay — open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, an hour earlier close than most Florida building departments. Building Official Keith Bennett heads the office, planning services are provided through Alday-Howell Engineering (planner John Feeney), and there is no city building department in Bonifay — the county handles it.
Holmes County publishes unusually specific technical rules that trip up out-of-county contractors: all trusses must be engineered with truss plans and layout submitted at application, new single-family dwellings require Florida energy forms at application, and temp power poles have their own grounding spec. This guide covers all of it — requirements, fees, trade permits, and inspections.
Applies to Holmes County parcels under the county Building Department. Bonifay does not operate a separate city building department, so most projects route through the county office - confirm jurisdiction for parcels in Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville before filing.
What requires a building permit in Holmes 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 - notably F.S. 553.79(1)(g), which can exempt qualifying work valued under $7,500 when it involves no electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, the home is not in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and the owner submits a written exemption request to the Building Official. Ask the permit counter whether your scope qualifies before assuming a permit is needed.
Permit required
- New homes, additions, and tenant build-outs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC changeouts and boilers
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, gas, and water heaters
- Pools and spas (barrier required), signs, and fences
- Manufactured homes and solar PV systems
Usually exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Who handles permitting in Holmes County?
The Building Department sits inside the Holmes County BOCC office in Bonifay: Building Official Keith Bennett (hcbd@holmescountyfl.org, office 850-547-1119, cell 850-703-3900), permit technicians Shawna Lumpkin and Mikayla O'Connor at the same email, and planning through Alday-Howell (John Feeney, 850-634-6084). Related steps route to other agencies: land development approval happens in the Building Department, 911 address verification through the 911 office (850-547-1112), septic permits through the Health Department (850-547-8500, option 4), and driveways on State Roads 79, 90, 81, and 2 through FDOT (850-836-5790). All permitting runs through the In person (BOCC office, Bonifay).
- Address: 107 E. Virginia Ave., Bonifay, FL 32425
- Phone: (850) 547-1119 ext. 3
- Email: hcbd@holmescountyfl.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Holmes County permit types
A building permit is one record among many. the Holmes County Building 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 |
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 |
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
Solar permits in Holmes County
Solar is permitted as its own record type in most Florida jurisdictions rather than rolled into a general building permit, and residential and commercial photovoltaic are usually separate records with different document sets. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a third, distinct record.
A photovoltaic submittal is reviewed on two tracks at once: structural (roof load path, attachment spacing, uplift) and electrical (conductor sizing, rapid shutdown, point of interconnection). A single-line diagram and a signed and sealed structural attachment detail are the two attachments most often missing on a first submittal.
Under Fla. Stat. §163.04, a homeowners' association cannot prohibit a solar collector on a dwelling — HOA architectural approval is not a prerequisite to permit issuance, though it may still be a contractual matter between owner and association.
Utility interconnection runs parallel to the building permit, not inside it. Permission to Operate is issued by the utility after the final electrical inspection clears.
Roofing permits in Holmes County
A roof covering replacement requires a permit in every Florida jurisdiction. Repairs below the local threshold may not, but the threshold is scope-specific and confirming it with the building department before tear-off is cheaper than an after-the-fact permit.
Every roof product must carry a current Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance rated for the wind speed at the project address. A product approval number that has lapsed or is rated below the site wind speed is the single most common reroof rejection.
Reroof inspections are sequenced: dry-in after the underlayment, nail-off on the sheathing fastening, and final. Covering the deck before the dry-in inspection means tearing it back open.
Hurricane mitigation retrofit requirements can attach when an existing roof is replaced, including secondary water barrier and roof-to-wall connection work. These add scope and documents, and they are triggered by the replacement itself.
Under Fla. Stat. §553.7922, jurisdictions run expedited procedures for permits that need no technical review — reroofs, roof repairs, and similar — during a declared state of emergency.
Holmes County building permit cost
Holmes County calculates permit fees by project type and scope — reroof permit cost, for example, depends on the size of the roof. The county's residential and commercial construction packets (posted on the Building/Planning/Zoning page) spell out the fee and documentation requirements per project type. Budget for the septic, E-911, and FDOT steps where they apply, and remember the double-fee penalty for unpermitted starts.
How Holmes County permitting works
| Component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fees | By project type and scope per county packets (reroofs priced by roof size) |
| Work started before permit | Double fees (posted county policy) |
| Septic permit | Through the Health Department, (850) 547-8500 option 4 |
| State-road driveways (SR 79, 90, 81, 2) | FDOT permitting, (850) 836-5790 |
Holmes County trade permits
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in Holmes County, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit through the Holmes County Building Department.
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, mobile home set-ups, 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 Holmes County
Clear the prerequisite agencies
Get land development approval (in the Building Department), verify your 911 address (850-547-1112), obtain a septic permit from the Health Department (850-547-8500 opt. 4) with a copy of your plans, and secure an FDOT driveway permit if accessing SR 79, 90, 81, or 2.
Assemble the technical package
Include engineered truss plans and layout, Florida energy forms (new single-family), Florida Product Approval numbers for materials, and an elevation certificate from a licensed professional for any flood-zone construction.
Apply at the BOCC office
Submit at 107 E. Virginia Ave. in Bonifay, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., or call (850) 547-1119 ext. 3 with questions first.
Record the Notice of Commencement
Submit the NOC (or a recorded copy with affidavit) with the application; a certified copy must reach the Building Department before the second inspection can be performed.
Pull the permit before touching the site
No inspections occur before issuance, and work started early is subject to double fees. The department does not enforce deed restrictions — check your own covenants.
Inspect on 24-hour notice through final
Call each inspection at least 24 hours ahead, keep activity moving — the permit voids if no inspection is called within six months — and close out through final.
Inspections in Holmes County
Inspections require 24-hour advance notice, no inspection happens before the permit is issued, and a certified copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement must be on file before the second or any subsequent inspection. The six-month rule matters on slow-moving projects: a permit becomes void if no inspection is called for within six months, so schedule at least one qualifying inspection to keep the permit alive.
Official Holmes County permitting resources
- Holmes County Building Department
- Fee information
- Permitting information
- Permit lookup
- Florida Building Code (8th Ed.)
- Florida Product Approval search
- DBPR license verification
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a building permit in Holmes County?
Trade permits and reroofs generally move quickly once the package is complete; new single-family construction depends on plan review of the engineered truss package and energy forms. The prerequisite steps — septic through the Health Department, 911 address verification, and FDOT driveway permits on state roads — usually set the critical path, so start them first. Call (850) 547-1119 ext. 3 for current review times.
How do I look up a permit in Holmes County?
Holmes County does not operate a public online permit search. To look up a permit, contact the Building Department at (850) 547-1119 or hcbd@holmescountyfl.org with the parcel or permit number — permit techs Shawna Lumpkin and Mikayla O'Connor staff the desk.
What are Holmes County's truss and energy form rules?
All trusses must be engineered, and truss plans and layout must be submitted at the time of building permit application — not later. All new single-family dwellings also require Florida energy forms at application. Missing either is the most common reason first-time submissions bounce.
What happens if I start work without a permit in Holmes County?
Any construction commenced prior to being permitted is subject to double fees under the county's posted policy, and no inspections will be made prior to permit issuance. The county also voids permits when no inspection is called for within six months.
What are the temp power pole requirements in Holmes County?
All temp power poles require one ground rod and two separate GFIs; all other power poles require two ground rods. Florida Product Approval numbers are also required for materials such as shingles, underlayment, and metal roofing.
Does Bonifay have its own building department?
No — the City of Bonifay does not have a local building department. The Holmes County Building Department at 107 E. Virginia Ave. handles permitting, and planning services are provided through Alday-Howell Engineering.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Holmes County?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Holmes 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 prohibit a solar collector, so HOA approval is not a prerequisite to permit issuance. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate run in parallel with the permit, not inside it.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in Holmes County?
Yes. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in every Florida jurisdiction, including Holmes 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 are sequenced — dry-in, nail-off, then final. Some minor repairs fall below the permit threshold, but the threshold is scope-specific.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in Holmes County?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Holmes 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 Holmes 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 Holmes County?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. the Holmes County Building 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 Holmes permit types online?
Most record types are filed through counter intake at the BOCC office in Bonifay, but availability varies by permit type and by applicant. Some records still require in-person submittal, and owner-builder filings are frequently restricted to counter submittal regardless of record type.
Simplify Holmes County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Holmes County's truss-at-application rule, multi-agency prerequisites, and double-fee penalty punish incomplete first submissions. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Holmes County and sequences the septic, E-911, FDOT, and county steps and files a package that passes the first time.
Trusted by leading builders and brands - including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Holmes County because we deliver:
- Local expertise - we know the Holmes County Building Department and the In person (BOCC office, Bonifay) process.
- Complete oversight - track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions - AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
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.