Wildwood, Florida Building Permit Guide

For Wildwood addresses, Sumter County Building Services at 7375 Powell Road issues all building and trade permits for Wildwood addresses, reviews plans and inspects the work. The City’s Development Services Department must clear zoning or approve a site plan first, and charges its own impact fees; a county re-roof permit, for example, is $121 for shingles.

What requires a building permit in Wildwood?

Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits for Wildwood come from Sumter County. Before the County issues a permit, the City says most accessory structures, such as pools, patio extensions and screen enclosures, need a City Zoning Clearance Review, and new development and renovations need an approved City site plan.

The City still issues its own permits for driveways, right-of-way work, impervious surfaces, signs, temporary uses and tree removal, even where the County needs no building permit.

Wildwood building department: who handles permitting

Sumter County Building Services, led by Building Official Jeanette Keller, handles building code plan review, permits, inspections and certificates of occupancy for Wildwood. The City’s Development Services Department, directed by Melanie Strickland, coordinates planning, zoning and development: it reviews site plans and zoning clearances, assesses water and wastewater impact fees and distributes building and site plans among City departments.

Wildwood permit types

Building and trade permits are Sumter County permits, applied for online or at the Powell Road office by the contractor or the property owner. The County publishes submittal requirements for conventional homes, mobile homes, residential additions, re-roofs, accessory buildings, plumbing, pools, electrical, mechanical (A/C), gas, signs and commercial work.

The City’s own permits are filed through its CivicGov portal:

• Zoning Clearance Application ($35) for residential site plans and accessory structures
• Driveway Permit Application – Residential (rev. 1/2026)
• Right-of-Way Permit Application (rev. 5/2026)
• Impervious Surface Application
• Tree Removal Permit Application ($50)
• Sign Permit ($50) and Temporary Use Permit ($100)

Wildwood building permit cost

Building permit fees are set by Sumter County’s fee schedule effective October 1, 2024. Every permit also carries a $24 processing fee and state surcharges of 1% and 1.5% of the permit fee ($2 minimum each).

Building before the permit is issued costs double the permit fee or the standard fee plus $180, whichever is greater. A change of primary contractor is $54.

City of Wildwood charges. The City charges its own development fees (schedule effective July 28, 2025): $35 for a residential zoning clearance or accessory structure review, $2,000 for a non-residential site plan, $1,200 for a final closeout package and $1,000 for annexation. City impact fees as of January 1, 2026 are $304.15 per home for law enforcement and $412.09 for recreation, plus water and sewer system development charges of $1,950 and $3,710 per equivalent residential connection. Sumter County charges its own road and fire impact fees on top.

Trade permits in Wildwood

Electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas permits are filed with Sumter County Building Services. On a new home each trade is a separate $121 permit ($181 for plumbing); stand-alone residential jobs such as an electric upgrade, generator, mechanical change-out, pool heater or sewer or water line replacement are $82 each, and duct work is $162. The County’s plans examiners decide which trade permits a job needs from the code and the plans.

For a new house, the City of Wildwood’s utility approval has to be uploaded before the County issues the certificate of occupancy where City water or sewer serves the lot. City water and sewer inspections on new construction are billed by the hour, up to 1.5% of the improvements.

How to get a building permit in Wildwood

Inspections in Wildwood

Sumter County performs the building inspections. Requests made online by 7:00 p.m., or on the inspection line at 352-569-1529 by 4:00 p.m., on the business day before are scheduled for the next business day. Have the permit number, job address, inspection type and a contact name and phone number ready. For an estimated arrival time, call 352-689-4400 on the inspection day.

• A county permit stays valid for 180 days after issue or after the last approved inspection; an active permit can be extended online, but an expired one must be reapplied for with fees.
• Re-inspections cost $82 and must be paid before the final inspection.
• To get a CO for a new home, upload the City of Wildwood utility approval (if applicable), septic approval (if applicable), blower door test, final termite treatment and insulation certificate, then email building@sumtercountyfl.gov with “Request for CO” and the permit number in the subject line.

The City also publishes post-construction closeout (as-built) procedures for site work, with a $1,200 closeout package fee.

Local Wildwood details that matter

Impact fee increase: under Ordinance O2025-51, City impact fees rise on January 1, 2027: law enforcement to $336.88 per home, parks and recreation to $457.88, water to $2,011 per ERU and sewer to $4,123 per ERU.

Joint Planning Area: Sumter County and Wildwood have a joint planning agreement, and property inside it may need extra development standards or annexation. Annexation fees may be waived for single-family homes.

Paying the County: cash, check, cashier’s check or money order payable to Sumter County BOCC at the office; cards are accepted for online permits.

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

Wildwood 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 - current code
• Wildwood Application Fees and Cost Estimators
• Sumter County Building Services
• Wildwood zoning and development information
• Post-construction closeout procedures
• Wildwood Permit Applications
• Wildwood Development Services
• Sumter County Building Services fee schedule
• Sumter County: When is a building permit required?
• Wildwood fee schedule (effective July 28, 2025)
• Wildwood impact fees (as of January 1, 2026)
• Wildwood impact fee increase memo (January 1, 2027)

Wildwood permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Wildwood?

Sumter County Building Services. The City of Wildwood handles zoning and site plans itself.

How do I apply?

Get the City of Wildwood site plan approval or zoning clearance first, then apply to Sumter County Building Services online or at 7375 Powell Road.

How much is a re-roof permit in Wildwood?

Sumter County charges $121 for a shingle re-roof and $181 for metal, clay tile or concrete, plus the $24 processing fee and state surcharges.

Do I need a permit for a shed or fence?

Not from the County for a shed of 100 sq ft or less or a fence of 6 feet or less, but accessory structures may still need a City zoning clearance.

What impact fees does a new house pay?

City fees of $304.15 (law enforcement) and $412.09 (recreation) plus water and sewer charges per connection, and Sumter County impact fees. The City’s fees rise on January 1, 2027.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Through Sumter County, online by 7:00 p.m. or by calling 352-569-1529 by 4:00 p.m. on the business day before.

Can a homeowner pull the permit?

Yes. Sumter County accepts applications from the contractor or the property owner.

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