Union County — Florida's smallest county by land area — runs a modern permitting operation for its size. The Union County Building Department at 15 NE 1st St. in Lake Butler takes applications through Cloudpermit, links the platform's how-to videos right on its website, and publishes its review timelines plainly: allow 7–10 business days for the Building Official to complete any necessary reviews, while permits needing no review may issue in up to 2 business days.
Like several neighboring counties, Union issues combination permits — one permit covers all trades at a site, with documentation of the subcontractors who performed each trade under the general contractor's permit. And in a detail contractors should note before quoting work in town: the City of Lake Butler's building department falls under the direction of the county Building Department, so both jurisdictions run through the same office and inspector, Wilson Whidden.
Applies throughout Union County. Building permitting for the City of Lake Butler falls under the direction of the county Building Department, so city and county projects alike route through the office at 15 NE 1st Street.
What requires a building permit in Union County?
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
Florida requires a permit under the Florida Building Code (section 105.1) for most construction, alteration, repair, demolition and change of occupancy; since 1 July 2026 a narrow exemption covers some single-family work under $7,500, and single-family permits stay valid for at least a year. When a permit is required in Florida
Who handles permitting in Union County?
The Building Department at 15 NE 1st St. in Lake Butler — phone (386) 496-2676, fax (386) 496-4240, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays — is led by Building Inspector Wilson Whidden and also directs building services for the City of Lake Butler. Planning and zoning review runs through the county under County Coordinator James Williams, CPM, CBC. The county's application checklists route the related agencies clearly: septic through the Health Department (or a sewer and water tap-in receipt from the City of Lake Butler), culverts through FDOT on state roads, and compliance letters from the county or from Raiford, Lake Butler, or Worthington Springs depending on the parcel. All permitting runs through the Cloudpermit.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →- Address: 15 NE 1st St., Lake Butler, FL 32054
- Phone: (386) 496-2676
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Union County permit types
A building permit is one record among many. the Union County Building Department 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 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →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 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →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
Roofing permits in Union County
Solar and roofing work follow statewide rules on HOA limits, product approval, reroof inspections and hurricane mitigation. Solar and roofing rules in Florida
Union County building permit cost
Union County's application checklists spell out the documentation that must accompany fees: a Letter of Compliance/Flood Data carries a $75.00 fee when issued by the county Building Department for unincorporated parcels (municipal parcels get theirs from Raiford, Lake Butler, or Worthington Springs), flood-zone projects need the base flood elevation and a Flood Elevation Certification with first-floor elevation before issuance, and commercial buildings must include a copy of their Suwannee River Water Management District permit. Confirm current permit fee amounts with the office at (386) 496-2676.
How Union County permitting works
| Component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Letter of Compliance / Flood Data (unincorporated) | $75.00, issued by the county Building Department |
| Flood-zone projects | BFE + Flood Elevation Certification with first-floor elevation before issuance |
| Commercial buildings | Copy of SRWMD permit required with application |
| Combination permit | One permit covers all trades; subcontractor verification form required |
Union County trade permits
Rather not deal with the Union County building department?
Get a free quote →Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations in Union County, filed by a licensed electrical contractor against the master building permit through the Union County Building Department.
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 Union County
Register with the office
All contractors and subcontractors must be licensed with the Union County Building Department before a permit will issue — including insurance certificates made out to the department and, if others will pick up permits, a notarized power of authorization (valid one year).
Gather the compliance documents
Septic permit/letter from the Health Department or a Lake Butler sewer and water tap-in receipt; a culvert permit or FDOT non-permit letter for state roads; the Letter of Compliance — $75 from the county for unincorporated parcels, or from Raiford, Lake Butler, or Worthington Springs in town.
Sort parcels and deeds
A lot split requires a new tax parcel number from the Property Appraiser; a recent purchase requires a copy of the recorded deed; owner-builders sign the disclosure statement with the office.
Submit through Cloudpermit
File the application with two plan sets meeting the State Minimum Plan Requirements, the survey and legal description, the subcontractor verification form, and the recorded Notice of Commencement.
Review & issuance
Allow 7–10 business days where Building Official review is needed; permits requiring no review may issue in up to 2 business days. Flood-zone permits wait on the elevation certification.
Post the address & inspect
Post the 911 address at the road — with house numbers on the home if it sits more than 50 feet back — and request inspections through Cloudpermit through final.
Inspections in Union County
Inspection requests run through Cloudpermit (the county links the platform's 'How to Request Inspections' video on its site) or the office. The county's posted requirements extend to the address itself: the 911 address must be posted at the road, with numbers on the home if it's more than 50 feet from the road — inspectors have to find the site — and the recorded Notice of Commencement must be on file.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Union County permitting resources
- Union County Building Department
- 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 Union County?
Union County publishes its own answer: up to 2 business days for permits needing no Building Official review, and 7–10 business days where review is required. The compliance-letter and septic steps in front of the application — plus contractor registration if you haven't worked the county before — are what actually stretch schedules, so start those first.
How do I look up a permit in Union County?
Applications filed through Cloudpermit are tracked in the portal — status, messages, and inspection results appear on the applicant dashboard, and the county links Cloudpermit's how-to videos from its Building Department page. For older records, call (386) 496-2676.
How long does Building Official review take in Union County?
The county publishes it plainly: allow 7–10 business days for the Building Official to complete any necessary reviews on permits or submitted plans, while building permits may take up to 2 business days to issue if no review is necessary. That published split makes Union unusually predictable for a rural county.
Who issues permits inside the City of Lake Butler?
The county — the City of Lake Butler's building department falls under the direction of the Union County Building Department, so city and county projects run through the same office at 15 NE 1st St. and the same inspector. City parcels still need their Letter of Compliance from the city, and sewer/water tap-in receipts replace the septic letter.
What is the $75 letter in Union County's checklist?
The Letter of Compliance/Flood Data: for unincorporated parcels it's issued by the county Building Department for a $75.00 fee, while parcels inside Raiford, Lake Butler, or Worthington Springs get theirs from the municipality. Flood-zone parcels additionally need the base flood elevation and a Flood Elevation Certification with first-floor elevation before the permit issues.
Do subcontractors need to register in Union County?
Yes — all contractors and subcontractors must be licensed with the Building Department prior to permit issuance, with insurance certificates made out to the department, and the subcontractor verification form documents who performed each trade under the combination permit.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Union County?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in Union County 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 ban solar panels, though it can decide where on the roof they go if that does not reduce their performance; HOA review is separate from the building permit. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate run in parallel with the permit, not inside it.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Does a roof replacement require a permit in Union County?
Yes. A roof covering replacement almost always requires a permit in Florida, including Union County. 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 usually run deck nailing, then dry-in, then final. Some minor repairs fall below the permit threshold, and a small single-family job under $7,500 can qualify for the written-request exemption under F.S. 553.79(1)(g), so ask the department first.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in Union County?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in Union County 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 Union County?
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 Union County?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. the Union County Building Department 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 Union permit types online?
Most record types are filed through counter intake in Lake Butler, but availability varies by permit type and by applicant. Florida law requires building departments to accept completed applications electronically, but owner-builders must still appear in person to sign (F.S. 489.103(7)).
Simplify Union County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Union County tells you exactly what it wants — registration, compliance letters, two compliant plan sets, verified subs — and issues fast when it gets them. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Union County and handles the registration and document chain and files a package that clears review the first time.
Trusted by leading builders and brands - including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Union County because we deliver:
- Local expertise - we know the Union County Building Department and the Cloudpermit process.
- Complete oversight - track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Complete submissions - AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance - including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Union County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Union County permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of July 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Union County Building Department before filing. This is not legal advice.