The City of Lake Worth Beach Building Division, at 1900 2nd Ave N, issues building and trade permits inside the city using one master permit application, filed online or in person. Under the FY 2027 fee schedule, permits cost 3% of the construction value up to $500,000, with a $135 minimum, and half the estimated fee is paid when you apply.
What requires a building permit in Lake Worth Beach?
Building permits are required to construct, modify, repair, demolish or alter buildings in Lake Worth Beach, and work without one can lead to code compliance action. The Building Division lists these exceptions:
No permit needed
- A window A/C unit in an existing opening, using its cord and plug
- Replacing cord-and-plug appliances (not water heaters)
- Replacing interior doors in a single-family home
- Interior drywall repairs under 3 sheets (4 x 8 ft)
- Replacing lights, outlets and switches in a single-family home
- Repairing or replacing sections up to 16 ft of a previously permitted fence (not pool barriers)
- Gutters and downspouts on a single-family home
- Replacing household plumbing fixtures in the same place (not tubs or showers)
- Repairing up to 25% of soffit or fascia, and stucco repairs on a house
- Replacing up to 100 sq ft of previously permitted deck boards
Always a permit
- Any electrical, plumbing, structural or mechanical work, whatever it costs
- Commercial work of any value
- Anything outside the exception list unless the City approves an HB 803 exemption
Since July 1, 2026, single-family work under $7,500 that involves no electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work and is outside the flood hazard area may be exempted, for example flooring, cabinets, patios, fences, driveways, sheds and gazebos. You must request it before starting; the City charges a $100 review fee, and planning, zoning or historic preservation approval may still be needed.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Lake Worth Beach building department: who handles permitting
The Building Division is a centralized office for all building and permitting services: it enforces the building codes, reviews plans, issues permits and inspects construction. Plans are also reviewed by other departments where needed, including Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation, Public Services and the City’s electric and water utilities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building Division, 1900 2nd Ave N, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33461 |
| Phone | 561-586-1647 |
| Inspection line | 561-586-1691 (automated) |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Online | Online Service Portal (applications); Click2Gov (permit search and inspections) |
Lake Worth Beach permit types
Lake Worth Beach uses one master permit application for every scope of work, either the City’s own form or the Palm Beach County universal permit application. The online application covers structure, shutter, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and pool permits, and each trade lists its own contractor. One copy of the submittal documents is required for every permit.
Related online services include the Certificate of Appropriateness application for properties in a City historic district, the Address Request Form for new addresses and Click2Gov for permit searches and inspection scheduling.
Lake Worth Beach building permit cost
Permit fees are set in the City’s FY 2027 Schedule of Fees and Charges for Services, effective October 1, 2026, part of the Comprehensive Fee Schedule published with the City budget. The fee is a percentage of the total value of construction, applied in bands:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minimum fee, work valued up to $3,000 | $135 |
| First $500,000 of construction value | 3.00% |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 | plus 2.25% |
| $1,000,001 to $2,500,000 | plus 1.75% |
| $2,500,001 to $12,500,000 | plus 1.00% |
| Above $12,500,000 | plus 0.75% |
| Plan filing fee (non-refundable) | 50% of the estimated total permit fee, paid at submittal |
| HB 803 exemption review | $100 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →For example, a $40,000 renovation has a permit fee of $1,200 (3%), and $600 of it is paid as the plan filing fee when you apply.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plan review | First and second submittals included; each submittal after the third, 4 times the plan filing fee |
| Revisions | $60 plus $10 per plan page |
| Expedited plan review | $150 plus $75 per plan page |
| Paper submittal | $50 per 100 pages up to 11 x 17; $15 per larger sheet |
| Re-inspection | First failed inspection free; $100 if called again without corrections |
| Unproductive inspection (not ready, no access, no plans or NOC) | $100; $250 the second time |
| Same-day (unscheduled) inspection | $125 |
| After-hours inspection | $300 minimum |
| Permit extension; expired permit renewal | $100 first extension; $75 renewal |
| Change of contractor | $75 |
| Certificate of completion; temporary CO or CC | $100; $500 |
| Work without a permit | Permit fee plus twice the permit fee |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →If a permit is cancelled after paying but before work starts, a notarized written request to the Building Official can refund 50%; the City keeps 50% or $81, whichever is greater. Online payments carry the provider’s convenience fee.
Trade permits in Lake Worth Beach
Electrical, mechanical, plumbing and pool work are separate permit types on the master application, each naming its own licensed contractor and priced on the same percentage-of-value scale. Plans that involve the City’s electric or water systems also carry the utilities’ own plan review fees, and fire and rescue permits, reviews and inspections add a $25 fire administrative fee per transaction.
How to get a building permit in Lake Worth Beach
Compare the work with the City’s no-permit list; for small single-family jobs, request an HB 803 exemption before starting.
If the property is in a City historic district, file a Certificate of Appropriateness, and check setbacks, lot coverage and height against the zoning code.
Use the City’s form or the Palm Beach County universal application, verify every entry and list each trade contractor.
File online through the Online Service Portal or in person, with signed and sealed plans and a current survey or site plan, and pay the 50% plan filing fee.
All departments review digitally; the issued permit is sent by email or file transfer to the contractor of record.
Book next-day inspections by 4:00 p.m. on the automated line or online, and close out with the final and certificate.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Lake Worth Beach
Request inspections through the City’s automated phone line at 561-586-1691 or online through Click2Gov. Next-day inspections must be scheduled by 4:00 p.m. For a same-day inspection, call 561-586-1647 to check inspector availability; it costs $125. After-hours inspections need a written request three days ahead.
The first failed technical inspection is not charged, but calling the same inspection again without corrections costs $100. An inspection counts as unproductive, at $100 and then $250, if the work is not ready, the inspector cannot get in, or the plans, permit or required Notice of Commencement are not on site.
Local Lake Worth Beach details that matter
Plan review delays: the City lists the usual causes as incomplete applications, missing disciplines, unsealed plans, no current survey or site plan, setback, lot coverage or height problems, inconsistent product listings, missing accessibility details, a missing Certificate of Appropriateness in a historic district and conflicts with the Land Development Regulations.
Historic districts: work on a property in a City historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness, filed online, and even HB 803-exempt jobs may still need historic preservation approval.
Condominium milestone inspections: condominium and cooperative buildings three storeys or taller and more than 30 years old must file milestone inspection reports with the City; reviewing a 30-year recertification report costs $500.
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 Worth Beach 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.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Florida Building Commission - current code
- City of Lake Worth Beach Building Division
- Online building permit application
- Lake Worth Beach Comprehensive Fee Schedule (FY 2027)
- Lake Worth Beach HB 803 residential exemption notice
- Lake Worth Beach Click2Gov permit search and inspections
- Lake Worth Beach Certificate of Appropriateness application
Lake Worth Beach permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Lake Worth Beach?
The City of Lake Worth Beach Building Division, 1900 2nd Ave N. Call 561-586-1647.
How much is a building permit in Lake Worth Beach?
3% of the construction value up to $500,000, with a $135 minimum and lower rates above that. Half the estimated fee is paid at submittal as a non-refundable plan filing fee.
What work does not need a permit?
Small items on the City’s exception list, such as replacing interior doors, lights, outlets and switches in a house, small drywall and stucco repairs, gutters and same-location fixture swaps.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Can small home projects skip a permit?
Single-family work under $7,500 with no electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work, outside flood hazard areas, may be exempted under HB 803 if you request it first. The review costs $100.
What is the inspection cutoff?
Next-day inspections must be scheduled by 4:00 p.m. A same-day inspection costs $125 and depends on inspector availability.
Do I need historic approval in Lake Worth Beach?
Yes, if the property is in a City historic district. Missing a Certificate of Appropriateness is one of the listed causes of plan review delays.
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More Florida permitting guides
Palm Beach County
Read guide →Belle Glade
Read guide →City of Boca Raton
Read guide →City of Lakeland Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Lantana Building Permit Guide
Read guide →City of Largo Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lake Worth Beach permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.