The City of Melbourne — the Space Coast's commercial hub, wrapping the Indian River Lagoon from downtown to the Melbourne Orlando International Airport corridor — issues building permits through the Building Section of the Code Compliance Division at City Hall, 900 E. Strawbridge Avenue. Permitting runs through the city's EnerGov self-service portal, backed by a six-video instructional series, with the Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) and 2020 NEC in force since January 1, 2024, and contractor insurance certificate renewals emailed to the plan-review inbox.
Melbourne stands out for how formally it administers Florida's new HB 803 / F.S. 553.79(1)(g) exemption — the state law exempting under-$7,500 work on single-family homes from building permits. Rather than an honor system, Melbourne requires a written Exemption Request filed through EnerGov before work begins: a notarized form describing the scope and value, a signed acknowledgment that no after-the-fact permit will ever be issued for the work per F.S. 553.79(1)(g)4, a copy of the contract, and an exemption review fee. Approved requests clear the work to proceed without a permit; denied requests convert — with the fee already paid applied toward a building permit for the same scope.
Applies inside City of Melbourne limits. Neighboring West Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Melbourne Beach run their own permitting, and unincorporated parcels route to Brevard County - confirm the jurisdiction before filing.
What requires a building permit in City of Melbourne?
Under the Florida Building Code (§105.1), a permit is required before you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of most structures and systems. New for 2026: Florida HB 803 (effective July 1, 2026) created additional building-permit exemptions for certain single-family residential work - notably F.S. 553.79(1)(g), which can exempt qualifying work valued under $7,500 when it involves no electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, the home is not in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and the owner submits a written exemption request to the Building Official. Ask the permit counter whether your scope qualifies before assuming a permit is needed.
Permit required
- New homes, additions, and tenant build-outs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC changeouts and boilers
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, gas, and water heaters
- Pools and spas (barrier required), signs, and fences
- Manufactured homes and solar PV systems
Usually exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Who handles permitting in City of Melbourne?
The Building Section operates from City Hall at 900 E. Strawbridge Avenue — (321) 608-7900, BLDplanreview@mlbfl.org, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with most field inspectors reachable by phone 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each EnerGov review displays the assigned plans examiner by name — the city's stated escalation path for inspection-list discrepancies — and the section administers a private provider program, posts flood-hazard information, and publishes its annual permit and inspection utilization report. Since October 1, 2018, new or replacement outdoor luminaires require a completed Outdoor Lighting Certification form before final inspection (one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses exempt). All permitting runs through the EnerGov self-service portal.
- Address: Melbourne City Hall, 900 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
- Phone: (321) 608-7900
- Email: BLDplanreview@mlbfl.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
City of Melbourne permit types
A building permit is one record among many. the Melbourne Building Section issues work under separate record types, and filing under the wrong one is a rejection, not a correction — the application is closed and refiled, and the review clock restarts.
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures over the exempt threshold | Full plan review (structural, energy, zoning) | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural or load-bearing changes, layout changes, substantial repair | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement and most major roof repair | Product approval review; dry-in and nail-off inspections | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount PV installation or replacement | Structural plus electrical review | Flat or system-size based |
| Solar thermal | Passive water heating or pool heating systems | Plumbing and structural review | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, most wiring alterations | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, gas piping | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts that are not like-for-like, ductwork, refrigeration | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Windows and doors | Replacement units and opening protection | Product approval review for wind-borne debris | Valuation or per-opening |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barrier and enclosure work | Plan review plus barrier and electrical bonding | Valuation-based |
| Fence and accessory | Fences, sheds, decks, and carports over the exempt threshold | Zoning plus structural where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification required | Flat |
Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily | Full multi-discipline plan review | Valuation-based |
| Tenant improvement | Interior build-outs and suite fit-ups | Plan review across affected disciplines | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Change of use | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Zoning, life-safety, and accessibility review | Valuation or flat |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement | Product approval review plus fire review where applicable | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount PV | Structural, electrical, and often fire review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, and gas systems | Trade review | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and suppression systems | Fire prevention plan review | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Demolition | Full or partial commercial demolition | Utility disconnect and environmental clearance | Flat or valuation-based |
Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Master permit with trades filed against it
- Owner-builder route exists but carries statutory affidavits
- Product approval drives roofing and opening protection
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans across every affected discipline
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to change of use
- Impact and concurrency fees can apply on top of permit fees
Solar permits in City of Melbourne
Solar is permitted as its own record type in most Florida jurisdictions rather than rolled into a general building permit, and residential and commercial photovoltaic are usually separate records with different document sets. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a third, distinct record.
A photovoltaic submittal is reviewed on two tracks at once: structural (roof load path, attachment spacing, uplift) and electrical (conductor sizing, rapid shutdown, point of interconnection). A single-line diagram and a signed and sealed structural attachment detail are the two attachments most often missing on a first submittal.
Under Fla. Stat. §163.04, a homeowners' association cannot prohibit a solar collector on a dwelling — HOA architectural approval is not a prerequisite to permit issuance, though it may still be a contractual matter between owner and association.
Utility interconnection runs parallel to the building permit, not inside it. Permission to Operate is issued by the utility after the final electrical inspection clears.
Roofing permits in City of Melbourne
A roof covering replacement requires a permit in every Florida jurisdiction. Repairs below the local threshold may not, but the threshold is scope-specific and confirming it with the building department before tear-off is cheaper than an after-the-fact permit.
Every roof product must carry a current Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance rated for the wind speed at the project address. A product approval number that has lapsed or is rated below the site wind speed is the single most common reroof rejection.
Reroof inspections are sequenced: dry-in after the underlayment, nail-off on the sheathing fastening, and final. Covering the deck before the dry-in inspection means tearing it back open.
Hurricane mitigation retrofit requirements can attach when an existing roof is replaced, including secondary water barrier and roof-to-wall connection work. These add scope and documents, and they are triggered by the replacement itself.
Under Fla. Stat. §553.7922, jurisdictions run expedited procedures for permits that need no technical review — reroofs, roof repairs, and similar — during a declared state of emergency.
City of Melbourne building permit cost
Permit fees are assessed per the city's schedule through EnerGov — with the exemption track carrying its own review fee that is credited toward a building permit for the identical scope if the request is denied. The enforcement economics matter too: a bypassed inspection is recorded as failed and draws a reinspection fee, plus either exposure of the work or an inspector-approved detailed corrective action plan — the city states plainly that a basic engineer letter will not be accepted — and repeated misses escalate to exposure requirements and potential licensing-board referral.
How City of Melbourne permitting works
| Component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Permit fees | Per the city schedule through the EnerGov portal |
| HB 803 exemption review fee | Paid at request; credited toward a permit for the same scope if denied |
| Exemption conditions | SF dwelling, under $7,500 total, no flood zone, no E/P/M/gas/structural work |
| City-ordinance permits | Fences, sheds, driveways, flatwork — required regardless of value, exemption or not |
| Bypassed inspections | Recorded failed + reinspection fee + exposure or approved corrective plan |
| Outdoor lighting (since 10/1/2018) | Certification form before final for new/replacement luminaires (SF & townhouse exempt) |
City of Melbourne trade permits
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in City of Melbourne, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit through the City of Melbourne Building Section (Code Compliance Division).
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixture relocations, and gas piping; fees follow the local schedule with per-permit minimums.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations and changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration; specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Roofs, pools and spas, screen enclosures, mobile home set-ups, and demolition are permitted separately. Exterior components need current Florida Product Approval rated for the local wind speed.
How to get a building permit in City of Melbourne
Route the scope first
Determine the track: standard permit through EnerGov, or — for qualifying under-$7,500 single-family work with no E/P/M/gas/structural component outside flood zones — the formal Exemption Request. City-ordinance permits (fences, sheds, driveways, flatwork) apply regardless.
File in EnerGov
Submit the permit application — or select the Exemption Request application type with the notarized city form, scope and value description, signed no-after-the-fact acknowledgment, contract copy, and review fee.
Assemble the technical package
Signed and sealed plans where required, product approvals for exterior components, energy documentation, and — for projects adding or replacing outdoor luminaires — the lighting certification workflow queued before final.
Work review with your named examiner
Track review in EnerGov, where the assigned plans examiner appears on the review — the direct contact for inspection-list discrepancies or scope questions — and respond to comments promptly.
Pay, pull, and post
Pay per the schedule, record the Notice of Commencement per Florida law, and post the permit with the approved documents on site.
Inspect in sequence — never past a hold point
Each permit lists its required inspections in the portal; per FBC 110.5–110.6, work must not proceed past any required inspection without approval. Schedule each phase, keep inspectors' contacts from the portal handy, and clear the final for CO.
Inspections in City of Melbourne
Every Melbourne permit carries its required-inspection list in the contractor portal, and the city enforces the sequence with unusual clarity: work proceeding past a required inspection point is recorded as a failed inspection, drawing a reinspection fee plus either exposure of the concealed work or a detailed corrective action plan approved by the inspector — a basic engineer letter is explicitly not accepted — with repeat offenses escalating toward licensing-board referral. Inspectors are reachable 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the assigned plans examiner is the named contact for any inspection-list discrepancy.
Official City of Melbourne permitting resources
- City of Melbourne Building Section (Code Compliance Division)
- Fee information
- Online permitting / portal
- Permit lookup
- Florida Building Code (8th Ed.)
- Florida Product Approval search
- DBPR license verification
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a building permit in City of Melbourne?
Standard permits run the EnerGov review cycle with the assigned examiner named on each review — the direct line that keeps corrections short — while exemption requests add a front-end approval step that must complete in writing before any work starts. The inspection-sequence enforcement makes schedule discipline cheap insurance: one bypassed hold point costs a failed inspection, a fee, and exposure or an engineered corrective plan. Call (321) 608-7900 for current turnaround.
How do I look up a permit in City of Melbourne?
Melbourne permits, plan-review status, and inspection lists all live in the EnerGov self-service portal — each issued permit includes its required-inspection list, available through the contractor portal, and each review shows the assigned plans examiner's name. The city posts a six-video EnerGov instructional series covering the permit and inspection components step by step.
How does Melbourne handle the $7,500 permit exemption?
Through a formal Exemption Request filed in EnerGov before work begins: a notarized city form describing the scope and value, a signed acknowledgment that no after-the-fact permit will ever be issued for the work per F.S. 553.79(1)(g)4, a copy of the contract, and an exemption review fee. Approved: proceed without a permit. Denied: the fee applies toward a building permit for the exact scope. Starting work before written approval risks code enforcement and forfeits the fee-conversion option.
What work never qualifies for Melbourne's permit exemption?
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and structural work — those require a permit regardless of value — plus anything in a flood hazard area, anything at or over $7,500, and any project split into phases to duck the threshold. City-ordinance permits for fences, sheds, driveways, and flatwork also remain required no matter what, since HB 803 only touches building permits.
What happens if an inspection gets bypassed in Melbourne?
It's recorded as failed, a reinspection fee is assessed, and the permit holder must either expose the work or submit a detailed corrective action plan to the inspector — the city states a basic engineer letter will not be accepted. Repeated missed inspections bring stricter measures, including mandatory exposure of completed work and possible referral to the licensing board.
What is Melbourne's outdoor lighting certification?
Since October 1, 2018, a completed Outdoor Lighting Certification form must be submitted before final inspection for new or replacement outdoor luminaires — verifying compliance with the city's lighting standards. One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are exempt, making this primarily a commercial and multifamily checklist item.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in City of Melbourne?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in City of Melbourne are permitted under a dedicated solar record type reviewed on both a structural and an electrical track. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a separate record. Under Fla. Stat. §163.04 a homeowners' association cannot prohibit a solar collector, so HOA approval is not a prerequisite to permit issuance. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate run in parallel with the permit, not inside it.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in City of Melbourne?
Yes. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in every Florida jurisdiction, including City of Melbourne. Products must carry a current Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance rated for the wind speed at the project address, and inspections are sequenced — dry-in, nail-off, then final. Some minor repairs fall below the permit threshold, but the threshold is scope-specific.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in City of Melbourne?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in City of Melbourne runs concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning, requires signed and sealed plans for every affected discipline, and can carry impact and concurrency fees on top of permit fees. Change of use adds accessibility and life-safety review.
Do trade permits need to be pulled separately in City of Melbourne?
Yes in most cases. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is permitted separately by the licensed contractor for each trade and filed against the master building permit. Each trade permit carries its own fee and its own inspection sequence.
What happens if I file under the wrong permit type in City of Melbourne?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. the Melbourne Building Section closes the record, the filing is resubmitted under the correct record type, and the review clock restarts from zero. Confirming the record type before filing is the cheapest step in the entire process.
Can I apply for all Melbourne permit types online?
Most record types are filed through the city permitting system, but availability varies by permit type and by applicant. Some records still require in-person submittal, and owner-builder filings are frequently restricted to counter submittal regardless of record type.
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