Lake Wales, Florida Building Permit Guide

The City of Lake Wales Building Division, at City Hall on W. Central Avenue, reviews plans and issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits inside city limits. Applications are emailed as PDFs to Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov, and building fees follow a valuation scale that starts at $65.03 for the first $1,000, with plan checking at half the permit fee. Every new building also needs Florida Water Star certification before it can be occupied.

What requires a building permit in Lake Wales?

City building codes require a permit for any new building, addition, structure, remodeling or demolition work, so plans can be reviewed and the work inspected. The City’s list of work needing a permit, which it says may not be complete, includes:

Failing to get a required permit means paying double the permit fees; for a second or later violation, the penalty is 100% of the permit fee or $243.98, whichever is greater, on top of the normal fee.

Lake Wales building department: who handles permitting

The Building Division reviews construction plans, issues permits for building and trade work and inspects construction through to the certificate of occupancy. It keeps permit files for ten years after completion, so older surveys may not be on file.

Lake Wales permit types and local requirements

The City asks for permit applications, documents and questions by email to Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov, and new-house submissions are entirely electronic. Contractors register before pulling permits by sending the Contractor’s Information Sheet, completing the side for a state-registered or state-certified licence, with supporting documents by email or fax; there is no registration fee. Registered contractors can then request Contractor Portal access to book inspections online.

Forms published by the Building Division:

• Building Permit Application and Demolition Permit Application
• New SFR Submission Checklist and Sub-Contractor Confirmation Form
• Owner Builder Disclosure Statement (English and Spanish) and Power of Attorney for Permits
• Roofing Affidavit, Windows and Doors Affidavit and Florida Product Approval fill-in sheet
• Generator Permit & Installation Guide and Tent Permit Application
• Notice of Commencement with recording instructions in English and Spanish
• Revision Submittal Form and Private Provider Registration Form
• Florida Water Star residential (Silver) and commercial checklists

Lake Wales permit fees

Fees come from Article IX, Schedule of Fees, prepared for October 1, 2026. Building permits for buildings, roofs, signs, pools and other structures are based on total valuation:

For example, a new house valued at $250,000 has a building permit fee of $1,970.81 ($967.31 plus 150 × $6.69) and a plan checking fee of about $985, plus its electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits.

A re-inspection can cost $42.54 the first time, at the inspector’s discretion, when work was clearly not ready; the second miss on the same inspection is $85.08 and the third $170.16. Using a private provider carries its own City fees, such as $55 for residential plan review and inspections.

Lake Wales building and trade responsibility

The Building Division issues electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas permits. Residential trade permits are charged per dwelling unit, and commercial trade work by valuation:

Multi-family buildings pay a lower rate for each additional unit. Generator installations follow the City’s Generator Permit & Installation Guide.

Documents for a new house

The New SFR Submission Checklist asks for everything in PDF, emailed to Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov:

• A completed, signed and notarized building permit application, with the subcontractor confirmation form if needed
• Building plans meeting the residential code, signed and sealed (digital, wet or charcoal seals accepted), with an electrical service diagram and plumbing riser layout
• Signed and sealed truss engineering and layout, and signed Florida energy calculations
• Florida Product Approval numbers for windows, doors and garage doors
• A signed and sealed boundary survey and site plan showing setbacks, sidewalk, accessory structures, mechanical equipment, elevation, residential tree density and irrigation
• A Polk County Health Department septic permit and well permit, if used

A recorded Notice of Commencement is required when the job costs $2,500 or more, or $15,000 or more for a mechanical replacement. Once plans are approved, print the stamped documents and keep them on site for inspections.

How to apply for a Lake Wales permit

Inspections in Lake Wales

Inspections must be submitted through the City’s Contractor Portal or called in before 4:00 p.m. the day before the inspection is needed. Owner-builders call in requests by phone at 863-676-5115 x 1103 (the City’s FAQ lists x 9503), and inspection questions go to Inspections@LakeWalesFL.gov. Keep the stamped approved plans on site.

Before the certificate of occupancy for a new habitable building, the City needs a final survey; homes in a flood area must provide an elevation certificate before the final inspection.

Local Lake Wales details that matter

Florida Water Star: under Ordinance 2022-52, Lake Wales requires all new construction to achieve Florida Water Star certification through a third-party inspection, and the certificate is needed to obtain a CO. The City publishes a residential checklist for Silver certification and a commercial checklist.

Driveway aprons: a new apron needs approval from both the Building Department and the Streets Department.

Septic and wells: homes on septic or using a private well need the Polk County Health Department permit with the building application.

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, 201 W. Central Avenue. Call 863-676-5115 x 9201 or email Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov.

How much is a building permit in Lake Wales?

$65.03 for the first $1,000 of value plus $8.49 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000, with lower rates above that, and plan checking at half the permit fee. A $250,000 house has a building fee of $1,970.81 before plan checking and trade permits.

How do I register my company to pull permits?

Send the Contractor’s Information Sheet and supporting documents to permitting@lakewalesfl.gov or fax 863-678-4050. There is no fee to register.

Do I need a permit for a fence or an A/C change-out?

Yes. Both are on the City’s list of work requiring a permit, along with re-roofing, siding, window and door replacement, storage buildings and driveways.

What is Florida Water Star and do I need it?

It is a water-efficiency certification. Lake Wales requires it, through a third-party inspection, for all new construction before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

When must an inspection be requested?

Through the Contractor Portal or by phone before 4:00 p.m. the day before the inspection is needed.

Lake Wales permit search and official 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
• Lake Wales New SFR Submission Checklist
• Lake Wales Florida Water Star requirements
• Lake Wales Contractor Portal

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