Key West, Florida Building Permit Guide

The City of Key West Building Department, at 1300 White Street, issues building permits and performs inspections inside the city. Applications are submitted online through eTRAKiT.

What requires a building permit in Key West?

Key West requires a building permit before any work or construction, permanent or temporary, valued at more than $1,000 including materials and labor, at the discretion of the building official. Exterior work in the Historic District also needs a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) as part of the building permit application.

Who issues building permits in Key West?

• City of Key West Building Department — Department
• 305-809-3956 — Phone (payment line 305-809-3738)
• Bldg@cityofkeywest-fl.gov — Email
• 1300 White Street, Key West, FL 33040 — Office (mail: P.O. Box 1409, Key West, FL 33041)
• Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — Hours; closed on federal holidays

State-licensed contractors register with the city using the Building Department's online DBPR Licensed Contractor Registration form.

Key West permit types

Since January 1, 2025, the Building Department no longer accepts incomplete applications. It publishes a checklist for each permit type, including electrical, generators, alarm systems, fire sprinklers, fences, decks, docks, demolition, interior and exterior renovations, accessory structures and accessory dwelling units.

Key West building-permit fees

Key West permit fees are based on the price of the job, from $24.00 to $36.00 per $1,000 of value. Some permits, such as fences, are charged by the linear foot. Permit technicians apply the fees when they review the eTRAKiT application, so ignore the fee amounts shown when you apply.

Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits

The Building Department issues electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fuel-gas permits, and publishes separate checklists for trade work such as electrical, generators and fuel tanks.

How to get a building permit in Key West

Inspections in Key West

The issued permit lists the inspections required and when to call for them. Required inspections must be called in to the Building Department in a specific order, and an inspection is needed before any part of the construction is covered. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued after all final inspections are approved, all required documents are filed and all fees are paid.

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 Key West permit resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• City of Key West Building Department
• Permit applications and checklists
• Electronic submittal instructions on eTRAKiT
• Building Department FAQs (fees and inspections)
• eTRAKiT permit portal

Key West building permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Key West?

The City of Key West Building Department, 1300 White Street. Call 305-809-3956.

How do I apply for a permit?

Submit a complete application through eTRAKiT, using the city checklist for your permit type.

How are permit fees calculated?

By the price of the job: from $24.00 to $36.00 per $1,000 of value. Some permits, such as fences, are charged by the linear foot.

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