Oldsmar, Florida Building Permit Guide

Since September 1, 2021, Florida Building Code permits for the City of Oldsmar have been issued by Pinellas County Building & Development Review Services under an interlocal agreement. Most projects first go through the City of Oldsmar Building Division for zoning, land use, flood, public works, fire and, where needed, architectural review. The city then issues a pre-permit approval letter, and the applicant finishes the building permit with Pinellas County.

What requires a permit in Oldsmar?

The city asks owners to submit its review form before beginning any repairs. Some permit types can go straight to Pinellas County without city approval first: electrical and plumbing work on private property, windows, doors and garage doors, roofs, soffits, fascia and siding, mechanical and A/C changeouts, and natural gas permits without new service. Window, door, soffit, fascia and siding work in the Community Redevelopment Area or along the Tampa Road Corridor still needs city architectural approval, and a structure in a designated flood zone needs flood review by the city Floodplain Manager before permitting.

The city also issues its own local permits for work such as slabs, driveways and sidewalks, docks, fences, seawalls, temporary signs and tents, and site-plan permits for clearing, fill, tree removal, landscaping and infrastructure. These can be needed in addition to the Pinellas County building permit.

Who handles permitting in Oldsmar?

Oldsmar permit types

Pinellas County issues building and trade permits. The City of Oldsmar issues its own local and site-plan permits.

• Building permits (Pinellas County, after city pre-permit approval)
• Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits (Pinellas County)
• Local slabs, driveways and sidewalks
• Docks and seawalls
• Fences
• Temporary signs and tents
• Site clearing, fill, landscaping and infrastructure

Permit costs and local fees

Oldsmar’s Permit, Inspections and Plans Examination Fee Schedule (fees effective October 2024) lists local permit charges including $70 for concrete slabs, driveways and sidewalks, $50 for fences, $85 for docks, $85 for seawalls and $25 for temporary signs or banners requiring a permit. City flood review is $75 and zoning review is $30.

Site-plan charges in the same schedule include $135 for clearing/grubbing, $170 for fill and $90 for a tree-removal application covering up to three trees. Building permit fees are set by Pinellas County and paid by credit card on the Pinellas County Access Portal.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trade permits

Electrical and plumbing work on private property, mechanical and A/C changeouts, and natural gas permits without new service can be filed directly with Pinellas County on the Access Portal. Other work needs the city’s pre-permit approval letter first.

Pinellas County asks for a completed sub-contractor form for any permit that involves more than one trade.

Application documents and plan requirements

Start with the city’s Application Review Form, which is required for all permit types. Other city forms include the floodplain construction application, clearing/fill, fence, tree removal, infrastructure and right-of-way permits, and contractor registration and authorization forms. Once the city issues its pre-permit approval letter, upload it with the county application on the Pinellas County Access Portal.

How to apply: 6-step local process

Inspections in Oldsmar

Oldsmar publishes an inspection request line at 813-749-1171 and an online CitizenLink scheduling option. Requests made by 3:30 p.m. are scheduled for the following business day; later requests move to the day after. Pinellas County inspectors perform the building inspections.

Local permitting details that matter

Pinellas County also issues building permits for unincorporated Pinellas, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City and Safety Harbor. For an Oldsmar address, upload the city’s pre-permit approval letter with the county application unless the work is one of the types the city lets you file directly with the county.

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

Official Oldsmar 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 Code - 8th Edition (2023)
• Oldsmar Building Fee Schedule
• Oldsmar Building FAQ
• Oldsmar Building Division
• Pinellas County Permitting Guide

Frequently asked questions

Who issues building permits in Oldsmar?

Pinellas County Building & Development Review Services issues Florida Building Code permits for Oldsmar. The City of Oldsmar Building Division handles the city reviews first and issues the pre-permit approval letter.

How do I apply for a permit in Oldsmar?

Submit the city’s Application Review Form first. After the city issues its pre-permit approval letter, apply on the Pinellas County Access Portal and upload the letter.

How are inspections handled?

Call the city’s inspection request line at 813-749-1171 by 3:30 p.m. for a next-business-day inspection, or schedule online. Pinellas County inspectors carry out the inspections.

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