Longwood, Florida Building Permit Guide

The City of Longwood Building Division, in Community Development at 174 West Church Avenue, issues building and trade permits in the city through its SmartGov online system. New buildings and additions are charged 2% of their ICC valuation and most other permits are flat fees, such as $286.58 for a residential re-roof, plus an $85.41 overhead fee on every application.

What requires a building permit in Longwood?

Anyone who intends to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or structure, change its occupancy, or install, alter or replace any part of a structure or system needs a permit first. The City stresses that this covers decks, porches, pools and any electrical, mechanical, gas or plumbing work, not just houses and commercial buildings; most residential wood, vinyl and chain-link fences and small kit sheds are now exempt. Replacing a small area of siding may not need a permit, but larger repairs do, so check with the Building Division.

Work started without a permit is charged double the calculated permit fee on top of the permit, and work in a flood zone or past a required inspection may have to be removed. Single-family owners can also file the City’s Permit Exemption Request Form for qualifying small projects.

Longwood building department: who handles permitting

The Building Division reviews plans, issues permits, inspects work and issues certificates of occupancy, which can be printed from SmartGov. It reviews to the 2023 Florida Building Code family, the 2020 National Electrical Code, the 2021 Florida Fire Prevention Code and the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code.

Longwood permit types and local requirements

SmartGov handles every permit application type, plus business tax receipts: applicants submit plans, see review comments and status, schedule inspections, pay fees and print permit cards there. Most applications are filed digitally, but staff will scan paper submittals into SmartGov, and responses to comments can come back in hard copy or by email.

• Contractors register by emailing a current state licence, workers’ compensation policy or exemption and general liability insurance naming the City to building@longwoodfl.org; registered (not certified) contractors add their competency card. Allow 48–72 hours.
• Owner-builders may pull their own permit only if they are the sole occupant of the building and meet the conditions in the state Owner Builder Disclosure Statement; the City recommends using a licensed contractor.
• Other forms include an Early Start Authorization, Emergency Electrical Work Authorization, Limited Power of Attorney, Change of Contractor, impervious area calculation, product approval information and private provider notice.

Longwood permit fees

The Building Division fee schedule adopted by Resolution 26-1724 took effect July 1, 2026. Every application pays an $85.41 Division Overhead Fee, and state surcharges of 1.5% and 1% are added (at least $2 each). New buildings and additions are master structural permits: gross square footage × the ICC Building Valuation Data rate × 2%, or $20 per $1,000 of valuation.

For example, a new home with an ICC valuation of $300,000 has a master structural fee of $6,000, plus the overhead fee and surcharges. The schedule states that separate trade permits and their flat fees are not required for the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work on a master structural permit.

A project cancelled after fees are paid gets a 75% refund of the permit fee unless construction has started; the overhead fee is not refunded. Using a private provider cuts the permit fee by 25% for plan review or inspections, or 50% for both.

Longwood building and trade responsibility

Longwood has separate applications for electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas work, and for fire alarm and fire suppression systems. The flat trade fees apply to stand-alone, change-out and remodel work; for a new building or addition under a master structural permit, the schedule says separate trade permits and fees are not required. The City publishes submittal guidelines for mechanical change-outs and mechanical equipment documentation, and photovoltaic permit information.

Backflow and irrigation permits and right-of-way permits are processed by the Public Works Department, not the Building Division.

How to apply for a Longwood permit

Inspections in Longwood

All inspection requests must be called in to 407-260-3471 by 3:30 p.m. on the business day before the inspection, and inspections can also be scheduled in SmartGov. The City offers digital inspections for some work. A re-inspection costs $55. After-hours inspections are at the Building Official’s discretion, need a written request 96 hours ahead and are limited to true emergencies and critical electrical shutdowns. Non-residential and multi-family projects must submit digital as-builts before the certificate of occupancy.

Local Longwood details that matter

Construction hours: building and excavation work is allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, with no construction other than repairs on Sundays or City holidays unless the Building Official approves a written request made at least 72 hours ahead.

Impact and mobility fees: new development pays City impact fees for police, fire, parks and recreation and public works, and a City mobility fee that replaces Seminole County’s. Seminole County library and school impact fees can be collected by the City at permitting. A recent existing use is usually credited, which often means no impact fees are due.

Utilities: the City handles water and wastewater fees where it provides service; parts of western Longwood are served by Sunshine Water Services instead.

Site work: the City publishes an ordinance on vibratory compaction and a list of approved dumpster companies for construction sites.

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

Longwood permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Longwood?

The City of Longwood Building Division, 174 West Church Avenue. Call 407-260-3486 or email building@longwoodfl.org.

How much does a building permit cost in Longwood?

New buildings and additions are 2% of the ICC valuation; most other permits are flat, such as $286.58 for a re-roof or $246.61 for an A/C change-out. Every application also pays an $85.41 overhead fee.

Do trade permits come with the master building permit?

Yes, for new buildings and additions: the July 2026 schedule says separate trade permits and flat fees are not required for the trade work on a master structural permit. Stand-alone trade jobs and change-outs have their own flat fees.

Do I need a permit for a shed or fence?

Often not. Since August 5, 2024, treated wood, vinyl and chain-link fences on single-family and duplex lots are exempt in most cases, but masonry or concrete fences and pool barriers still need a permit ($334.34). Since July 1, 2026, kit or pre-built sheds of 200 sq ft or less can be exempted with the City’s Permit Exemption Request form; other sheds need a $151.52 permit.

Can a homeowner pull their own permit?

Yes, if they are the sole occupant of the building and meet the conditions of the Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, though the City recommends a licensed contractor.

When are inspection requests due?

By 3:30 p.m. on the business day before the requested inspection.

Longwood 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)
• Longwood Permitting and Impact Fees
• Longwood Community Development Contacts
• Longwood Fee Schedule
• Longwood Permitting and Inspections
• Longwood Building Division FAQs

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