For property inside Panama City Beach city limits, building permits come from the City of Panama City Beach Building Division, on the first floor of the Public Services Building at 17005 Panama City Beach Parkway, which handles plan review, permits and site inspections for everything from sheds to high-rise condominiums. Check first that the parcel shows Tax Area 13 on the Bay County Property Appraiser site, because not every property on the Beach is inside the city.
What requires a building permit in Panama City Beach?
The first local question is whether the property is actually inside the City of Panama City Beach. The Building Division states that some properties generally described as being on the Beach are outside the incorporated city and are handled by a different jurisdiction. The city provides an address-lookup map and notes that Bay County Property Appraiser records show Tax Area 13 / Tax District City of Panama City Beach for property in the city jurisdiction.
Within the city, the Building Division reviews, permits and inspects structures ranging from sheds to high-rise condominiums. The forms library includes commercial/multifamily construction, single-family residential and additions, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing and roofing worksheets, demolition, change of occupancy, manufactured homes, pools and accessory structures.
Panama City Beach building department: who handles permitting
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building Division, first floor, Public Services Building, 17005 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 |
| Phone | 850-233-5100 ext. 2601 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
The Building Division administers the Florida Building Code through plan review and site inspections, and also serves as staff to the city’s Examining Board.
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Get a free quote →The city also publishes a permit/inspection search tool that can be queried by permit number, date, parcel ID, address, permit type or contractor. Inspection results show the inspection type, status, scheduled/completed dates and inspector comments.
Panama City Beach permit types and local requirements
Panama City Beach publishes separate submittal packages and worksheets by project type.
| Permit type | Official city material |
|---|---|
| Commercial / multifamily | Commercial and Multi-Family Building Permit Submittal Packet plus trade worksheet. |
| Single-family / additions | Single Family Residential and Additions Building Permit Submittal Packet. |
| Electrical / gas / mechanical / plumbing / roofing | Dedicated city worksheet for these trade permits. |
| Change of occupancy | Separate Change of Occupancy Permit Application. |
| Demolition | Existing Structure Demolition Application. |
| Manufactured home | Plans Review Submittal for Manufactured Homes. |
| Accessory structure | Plans Review Submittal for Residential Accessory Building and Detached Structures. |
Panama City Beach permit fees
Fees come from the Building Division fee schedule adopted by Resolution 26-128, effective July 1, 2026. Residential building permits are charged on a sliding scale by valuation:
| Valuation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | $27.13 |
| $1,001–$50,000 | $27.13 for the first $1,000 plus $3.88 for each additional $1,000 |
| $50,001–$100,000 | $217 for the first $50,000 plus $3.10 for each additional $1,000 |
| $100,001–$500,000 | $372 for the first $100,000 plus $2.33 for each additional $1,000 |
| Over $500,000 | $1,302 for the first $500,000 plus $1.55 for each additional $1,000 |
Commercial permits use the same steps from a $42.63 base. A residential job also pays inspection fees of $0.18 per square foot and a $25 plan review fee, so a home valued at $300,000 has a $838 permit fee before those are added. Commercial plan review is 50% of the building permit fee.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential pool | $100 permit, $50 inspection, $25 plan review |
| Roofing | $85 for up to 15 squares, plus $1 per square over 15; inspections $35 residential, $75 commercial |
| Residential plumbing, or electrical for a new dwelling or addition | $50; inspection and plan review fees waived |
| Other residential electrical (pool bonding, temp pole, service change) | $35 |
| Residential HVAC, duct work and refrigeration | $50; inspection and plan review fees waived |
| Residential generator | $100 permit, $50 inspection, $25 plan review |
| Solar panels | $200 permit, $50 inspection, $100 plan review |
| Flood or elevation certificate review (special flood hazard area) | $75 residential, $150 commercial |
| Demolition of an existing structure | $100 permit, $50 inspection, $50 plan review |
| Reinspection, all trades | $75 |
| Work without a permit | Double the permit fee or $100, whichever is greater |
The state surcharges of 1.0% (DBPR) and 1.5% (DCA) are added, with a $2 minimum each. Residential plan review and inspections carry no City charge when a private provider does them, and commercial jobs get a 25% or 50% reduction. Half of a permit fee can be refunded if no inspection has been made and the permit was issued no more than 6 months earlier.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Panama City Beach building and trade responsibility
The city forms page has a dedicated permit worksheet for electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing and roofing work.
The Building FAQ says applications starting January 1, 2024 are reviewed under the 2023 8th Edition Florida Building Codes, 2020 National Electrical Code and 8th Edition Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Fire-safety inspections and fire-suppression work are priced separately in the city fee schedule.
How to apply for a Panama City Beach permit
Use the city address lookup or Bay County Property Appraiser tax-area information before selecting the permit authority.
Choose commercial/multifamily, single-family/addition, demolition, manufactured-home, accessory-building or other applicable city material.
Use the electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing and roofing worksheet where those trades are included in the project.
The city’s packets identify project-specific checklists, product approvals, Notice of Commencement forms and required affidavits.
Fees follow the city's Building and Planning fee schedule, including valuation-based and itemized trade fees.
Request inspections through the Building Division and use the permit search to track results, comments and permit certificates.
Rather not deal with the Panama City building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach's commercial construction guidelines state that inspections are performed between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. A phone request made before 4:00 p.m. is scheduled for the following business day; the city says emailed inspection requests received before 7:30 a.m. may be scheduled for the same day.
Inspection requests should include the permit number, project address, subdivision/lot when applicable, contractor name and phone number, inspection type and requested date. The city permit-search system can then show inspection status, scheduled/completed dates and inspector comments.
Local Panama City Beach details that matter
Owner-builders sit an exam: under the City’s Code of Ordinances, homeowners pulling their own permit must pass a basic written examination, which the Building Division gives on request. Owner-builder permits are not issued for property owned by an LLC or a trust, or for work on condominium units.
Notice of Commencement before inspections: the City needs a copy of the recorded NOC before any inspection when the contract price is over $5,000 ($15,000 for mechanical work).
Coastal and flood forms: the forms library includes a CCCL Elevation Certificate and V-Zone Design Certificates for structures and for pools and spas, and permits in a special flood hazard area carry the elevation certificate review fee.
Impact fees: since January 7, 2026 a new home pays City impact fees of $194 for police, $292 for fire and rescue, $1,258 for recreation and $62 for libraries.
Contractor competency cards: contractors register with the City; a 2-year card costs $50 for local contractors, $150 from out of county and $300 from out of state.
Planning permits: signs, fences and land clearing are permitted through the Planning Department, not the Building Division.
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
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Panama City Beach permit FAQ
Who issues permits inside Panama City Beach?
The City of Panama City Beach Building Division, for property inside the incorporated city limits. Property elsewhere on the Beach is handled by another jurisdiction.
How do I verify city jurisdiction?
Use the City’s address lookup map, or check the Bay County Property Appraiser record for Tax Area 13 (City of Panama City Beach).
How much is a building permit for a new house in Panama City Beach?
It depends on valuation: a home valued at $300,000 has a $838 permit fee, plus $0.18 per square foot in inspection fees, a $25 plan review fee and the state surcharges.
Can a homeowner pull a permit in Panama City Beach?
Yes, for a home you will occupy, after passing the City’s basic written owner-builder exam. Not for property held in an LLC or trust, or for condominium units.
How do I schedule an inspection?
Use the City’s online form, email the Building Department or call 850-233-5100 ext. 2601 the day before you need it.
What is the city reinspection fee?
$75 for each reinspection, for all trades.
Panama City 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.
- Florida Building Commission — 8th Edition (2023)
- Building & Planning Fee Schedule
- Building FAQ
- Permit & Inspection Search
- Building Forms & Applications
- Building Division
- Commercial Construction & Inspection Guidelines
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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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.
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More Florida permitting guides
Bay County
Read guide →Callaway
Read guide →Lynn Haven
Read guide →Panama City Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Parkland Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Pasco County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Panama City Beach permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.