City of Lake Wales Building Division reviews construction plans, issues required permits and conducts inspections throughout the construction process.
What requires a building permit in Lake Wales?
Lake Wales requires a permit for any new building, addition, structure, remodeling work or demolition work, so that plans can be reviewed and work inspected for compliance with city building and zoning codes.
The city's list of work requiring a permit includes air-conditioner change-outs, electrical service change-outs, exterior door and window replacement, fences, reroofing, house siding, patios and decks, driveways, sheds and screen enclosures, pools and spas, signs, tents and temporary power poles.
Failure to obtain a required permit means paying double the permit fees as a penalty.
- Structural / building — New buildings, additions, structures, remodeling and demolition are expressly identified as permit-required.
- Equipment / trade work — The city also lists project-specific trade work, including A/C change-outs, and publishes separate electrical, fuel-gas, mechanical and other fee categories.
Who handles permitting in Lake Wales?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 201 W. Central Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853 |
| Phone | 863-676-5115 x 9201 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The city encourages permit information, documents and questions to be sent to Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov. Contractors can request access to the city's online Contractor Portal.
Lake Wales permit types and local requirements
Lake Wales publishes these forms and checklists:
| Form | Published by Lake Wales | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Application | Yes | Primary city construction permit application. |
| Demolition Permit Application | Yes | Separate demolition filing. |
| New SFR Submission Checklist | Yes | Local checklist for new single-family projects. |
| Generator Permit & Installation Guide | Yes | Project-specific generator requirements. |
| Roofing Affidavit | Yes | Supporting document for roofing work. |
| Windows and Doors Affidavit | Yes | Supporting document for opening-protection work. |
| Private Provider Registration Form | Yes | Local registration when a private provider is used. |
| Revision Submittal Form | Yes | Used for changes to a permit submission. |
The city also publishes contractor information, owner-builder disclosure, product-approval, power-of-attorney and subcontractor confirmation forms.
Lake Wales permit fees
Lake Wales' Article IX fee schedule, prepared for October 1, 2026, bases building permit fees for buildings, roofs, signs and other structures on project valuation. Several trade and occupancy items use flat or per-unit charges.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| City fee category | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Building valuation $1,000 or less | Inspection-only fee of $65.03 per inspection |
| $1,000 to $100,000 | $65.03 for first $1,000 + $8.49 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,000.01 to $500,000 | $967.31 for first $100,000 + $6.69 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $3,861.72 for first $500,000 + $4.98 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Certificate of Occupancy | $49.57 residential / $65.03 commercial |
| Demolition permit | $124.54 |
| Temporary electrical service | $56.72 |
| Residential irrigation permit | $45.04 |
The same schedule has separate electrical, fuel-gas and mechanical permit categories. For example, electrical work on a new one- or two-family home is $164.51 per unit, and on alterations, renovations or additions $97.46 per unit.
Lake Wales building and trade responsibility
The Building Division issues electrical, fuel-gas and mechanical permits as well as building permits; each has its own section in the fee schedule.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →| Scope | Handled by | Form or fee |
|---|---|---|
| Building / structural | Lake Wales Building Division | Building Permit Application and valuation-based fee schedule. |
| Electrical | Lake Wales Building Division | Separate electrical permit fee categories. |
| Fuel gas | Lake Wales Building Division | Separate fuel-gas valuation fee category. |
| Mechanical | Lake Wales Building Division | Separate mechanical residential and other fee categories. |
| Roofing | Lake Wales Building Division | Roofing affidavit plus building fee schedule coverage. |
| Generator | Lake Wales Building Division | Generator Permit & Installation Guide. |
Contractors must register with the city before pulling permits by sending the Contractor's Information Sheet and supporting documents to the Building Division. There is no registration fee at this time.
How to apply for a Lake Wales permit
Check the city's list of work requiring a permit and that the property is inside the City of Lake Wales.
Start with the Building Permit Application and add the new-SFR, generator, roofing, window/door, demolition or other city forms that match the scope.
Lake Wales requires contractor information before a contractor pulls permits and provides a subcontractor confirmation form for applicable projects.
Email the application and documents to Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov.
Answer any review comments and pay the fees set by the October 2026 schedule to have the permit issued.
Submit inspections through the Contractor Portal or call before 4:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Complete required finals and occupancy steps.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Lake Wales
Inspections must be submitted through the city Contractor Portal or called in before 4:00 p.m. the day before the inspection is needed.
Owner-builders call in inspection requests at 863-676-5115 x 1103. Inspection questions go to Inspections@LakeWalesFL.gov.
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
Lake Wales permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Lake Wales?
The City of Lake Wales Building Division reviews plans, issues required permits and conducts inspections.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →What are the Building Division hours?
The city lists Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
How are base building permit fees calculated?
By project valuation. Under the schedule prepared for October 1, 2026, work valued from $1,000 to $100,000 costs $65.03 for the first $1,000 plus $8.49 per additional $1,000.
When must an inspection be requested?
The city says inspections must be submitted through the Contractor Portal or called in before 4:00 p.m. the day before the inspection is needed.
Does Lake Wales publish separate trade fees?
Yes. The current schedule includes separate electrical, fuel-gas and mechanical permit categories.
Official Lake Wales permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Florida Building Commission — 8th Edition (2023)
- Article IX Fee Schedule
- Permit & Inspection Fees
- Forms & Checklists
- Permit Requirements
- Lake Wales Building Division
- Building FAQ
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lake Wales permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.