Florida Homeowners: Do You Need a Building Permit for Projects Under $7,500?

Permits & renovations · Florida homeowners

A Florida building permit under $7,500 is no longer automatically required for every small home project. Effective July 1, 2026, Florida law created a limited permit exemption for qualifying work on certain single-family properties. But the rule is narrower than the headline may sound.

Under Florida Statute 553.79(1)(g), a local government that issues building permits must exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling, or the owner’s contractor, from obtaining a building permit for work valued at less than $7,500 when every statutory condition is met. The law was enacted through CS/CS/HB 803, Chapter 2026-63, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

The key point for Florida homeowners is that this is a permit exemption, not a blanket “under $7,500 means no permit” rule. Flood-hazard properties are excluded, electrical and several other trade categories are excluded, and the owner or contractor still has to submit a written exemption request with documentation showing the nature and value of the work.

For buyers and sellers, permit history can also become part of property due diligence. U.S. Prime Realty’s Florida homebuying guide explains how inspections, insurance and other ownership considerations fit into the purchase process.

What Changed in Florida’s Building Permit Law in 2026?

Florida’s general rule still says that construction, alteration, modification, repair or demolition of a building requires a permit unless another law provides an exception. The 2026 change added a specific exemption in Section 553.79(1)(g) for certain low-value work on single-family residential property.

The Florida Senate bill page for HB 803 lists July 1, 2026 as the effective date, and the final 2026 statute now contains the exemption. The Florida Senate’s 2026 bill summary describes the change as requiring local governments, except in flood hazard areas, to exempt work on single-family residential property valued below the threshold while excluding electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical and gas work.

That means the question is not simply, “Is my project cheap enough?” The better question is, “Does my property and the full scope of my project satisfy every condition in the exemption?”

When Can a Florida Homeowner Skip a Building Permit Under $7,500?

1. The Property Must Contain a Single-Family Dwelling

The exemption is written for an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner’s contractor. It should not be assumed to cover every residential property type. Condominium work, multifamily property work, commercial projects and other property classifications are not included in this specific single-family exemption.

If you are buying a Florida home and comparing property types, U.S. Prime Realty’s Florida communities guide can help you explore major markets, but the local building department should confirm how a specific property is classified for permitting.

2. The Full Project Value Must Be Less Than $7,500

The statutory wording is “less than $7,500.” In practical terms, a project valued at exactly $7,500 does not meet the literal threshold. More importantly, the law prohibits dividing one construction project into multiple smaller projects just to avoid permit requirements.

Treat the entire scope of work as one project when determining value. Keep the estimate, contract, invoice or other documentation that shows what work is being performed and the project value, because that documentation is part of the exemption request.

3. The Property Cannot Be in a Flood Hazard Area

The exemption does not apply if the property is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area as defined by the Florida Building Code. This matters across Florida, especially in coastal, waterfront and low-lying communities.

Homeowners can start by reviewing the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, the official public source for FEMA flood hazard information, then confirm the regulatory flood-hazard status with the local building or floodplain office. For storm-readiness context, U.S. Prime Realty’s Florida hurricane season guide also explains why flood exposure and property condition should be part of homeownership planning.

4. The Project Cannot Include Electrical, Plumbing, Structural, Mechanical or Gas Work

Even when the project costs only a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, the $7,500 exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work. These categories remain outside the exemption.

• Electrical work, including changes to wiring, circuits, panels or similar systems.
• Plumbing work that changes piping, drains, supply lines or other plumbing systems.
• Structural work that affects load-bearing or other structural components.
• Mechanical work, including work that falls within regulated HVAC or mechanical systems.
• Gas work involving gas piping, appliances or regulated gas systems.

If a mostly cosmetic renovation also includes one of these excluded scopes, do not assume the cosmetic portion makes the overall job exempt. Ask the local enforcing agency how it will treat the full project.

5. You Must Submit a Written Exemption Request

This is the requirement homeowners are most likely to miss. To qualify, the owner or the owner’s contractor must submit a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency. The request must include a copy of the contract or other documentation demonstrating the nature and value of the work.

In other words, “permit-exempt” does not mean “do nothing and start work.” Your city or county may have an exemption form, online record type or submission procedure. Check the building department’s current instructions before the project begins.

What Projects Under $7,500 Still Require a Permit?

A low project price does not override the statutory exclusions. A Florida home improvement permit may still be required for work under $7,500 when any of the following is true:

• The property is partially or entirely in a flood hazard area.
• The work is electrical.
• The work is plumbing.
• The work is structural.
• The work is mechanical.
• The work is gas-related.
• The full project is actually $7,500 or more.
• The project has been split into smaller phases to try to fall below the threshold.
• The property or project does not otherwise fit the single-family dwelling exemption.

Also remember that a building-permit exemption does not automatically erase separate requirements such as zoning rules, setbacks, community-association approvals, contractor licensing, product-approval requirements or other laws that may apply to the work.

What Types of Small Projects May Qualify for the Exemption?

The statute creates the statewide framework, but local building departments still receive and review exemption requests. That makes local guidance important when a project’s classification is not obvious.

For example, Bay County’s Building Safety Division published an implementation memo explaining the new law. Its examples say drywall replacement and roof repairs are two types of work that could potentially qualify if all statutory conditions are met. The same memo says exterior window and door replacements do not qualify there because the county considers those components structural.

That local example is useful because it shows why homeowners should not build a project list from price alone. Painting, flooring, trim, cabinetry or other finish work may look non-structural, but the complete scope should still be presented to the local building department if you plan to rely on the exemption.

If you hire a contractor, verify the professional’s license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before work begins.

Written Request for Exemption: What Should You Prepare?

Florida Statute 553.79 requires a written request plus a contract or other documentation showing the nature and value of the work. Your local agency may have its own form and submission method. A practical exemption packet may include:

• The property address and owner information.
• A clear written description of the full project scope.
• The contractor’s estimate or signed contract, or other documentation showing project value.
• Enough detail to show whether electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work is involved.
• Any local exemption form or online application required by the city or county.
• Flood-hazard information or other supporting documents if requested by the local agency.
• A copy of the approved or acknowledged exemption record for your own property files.

Local procedures can vary. Florida law requires local enforcement agencies to post permit-processing procedures on their websites, so start with the building department for the jurisdiction where the property is located.

A Florida Building Permit Exemption Is Not the Same as a Code Exemption

Homeowners should separate two ideas: whether a permit is required, and whether the work is safe, lawful and appropriate for the property. The $7,500 provision addresses the building-permit requirement when the statutory conditions are satisfied. It should not be read as permission to ignore other applicable rules.

• Use qualified, properly licensed professionals when licensing is required.
• Follow applicable zoning, drainage, easement and setback rules.
• Do not make structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas changes under the small-project exemption.
• Keep contracts, receipts, photos and exemption records with the home’s permanent documents.
• If the scope changes after work begins, stop and confirm whether the exemption still applies.

For current Florida Building Code resources, homeowners and contractors can review the Florida Building Commission’s 2026 code resources and consult the local enforcing agency for project-specific requirements.

Buying or Selling a Florida Home? Permit History Still Matters

Even when work was legally permit-exempt, keeping a clear record can help later. Buyers, inspectors, insurers, appraisers and closing professionals may ask questions about renovations, roof work, additions, repairs or altered systems. Documentation can make it easier to explain what was done and why a permit was or was not required.

If you are shopping for a home, start with U.S. Prime Realty’s Florida property search and use the Florida homebuying guide to organize inspections, insurance questions and other due-diligence steps. Homeowners preparing to sell can also review U.S. Prime Realty’s real estate resources for additional planning tools.

Florida $7,500 Building Permit Exemption Checklist

What U.S. Prime Realty and Isbely Glazer Can Help With

U.S. Prime Realty is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage, not a building department, contractor, engineer or law firm. Founder and Broker Carmen Isbely Glazer leads the brokerage with more than 20 years of experience across Florida markets. You can learn more about Isbely Glazer and U.S. Prime Realty on the company’s website.

The real estate team can help buyers and sellers evaluate property information, compare communities, coordinate showings and transactions, and identify questions that may need to be directed to the appropriate building official, contractor, inspector, insurer or attorney.

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