Permitting Guide

Projects that typically need a permit alter the structure or value of the property. 

• Air Conditioning – A mechanical permit is required to install a new system. An express permit is required for an equal change out of an existing system.  
• Aluminum Structure – Install structures like screen rooms, carports, pool enclosures, etc. 
• Antenna – Add an antenna on a 2″ pole or larger. 
• Demolition – Demolish any structure. 
• Electrical — Basic Work – Change or add to existing electrical circuits, add additional loads to the electrical panel, or wire new equipment or appliances. 
• Electrical Service Change – Change an electric panel from fuse type to circuit breakers, replace panels or service equipment, or upgrade to a larger rating. 
• Mobile Home – Replace or set up a mobile home. 
• Plumbing Fixture / Bathtub Replacement – Relocate a fixture or replace a bathtub with a shower, whirlpool tub or shower pan. 
• Residential Construction or Addition – New home construction, or addition to a one-, two-, or three-family dwelling unit. 
• Roof Replacement – Replace an existing roof. 
• Tree Removal / Habitat Project – A habitat permit required to remove a tree or undertake a landscaping and / or habitat project. 
• Sewer Replacement – A plumbing permit is required to replace an existing sewer.
• Soffits, Fascia and Siding – An Express permit is required to replace soffits and fascia as well as siding.   
• Swimming Pool – A swimming pool permit is required for any type of pool over 24 inches deep. 
• Water Conditioner – An Express permit is required to install any type of water conditioner. 
• Water Heater – An Express permit is required to replace any water heater. 
• Water Service Replacement – A plumbing permit is required to replace the water service. 
• Windows and Door Replacement – An Express permit is required to replace all types of windows and exterior doors, including sliding glass doors and garage doors. 
• Utility/Storage Sheds – A building (other) permit is required for a new or replacement utility or storage shed larger than 100 square feet. 

The following work does not require a Pinellas County building permit, but you may need other types of permits or clearances: 

• Residential utility sheds smaller than 100 square feet — Contact the Zoning Division for setbacks. 
• Chain link, vinyl or wood fences under six feet in height — You must comply with Zoning regulations. Contact the Zoning Division (for height limitations) and Engineering (for line of sight). 
• Paving and driveways — A zoning clearance is required and the forms for a Habitat Permit and Utilization Permit would get uploaded into the your application for the zoning clearance. DO NOT submit these permits separately. Call for assistance. 

The Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services Department does not require building permits for: 

• Work that is strictly cosmetic, including painting, wallpapering, carpeting, kitchen cabinets, etc. 
• Roof work that is less than $750 in value. View the Roofing Policy for more details. 

Same-day issued, licensed contractors only. Owner/builders and private providers, please contact us. 

• Building – Garage Door; Shutters Without Electric; Shutters With Electric; Siding, Soffit, Fascia, Stucco Over Frame; Windows, Doors 

• Electrical – Pool Pump, Heat Pump; Recert/Restore Power; Safety Inspection for Daycare Or ALF; Service Change 1 – 2 Family Only 

• Gas – Change LP Gas Supplier/No New Lines; Conv. Electric to Gas Water Heater; Gas Appliance Replacement; Replace Natural Gas Water Heater 

• Mechanical – A/C Equal Change Out (No Gas, Oil, Or Electric); A/C Equal Change Out with Duct No Electric; A/C Equal Change Out with Electric; A/C Equal Change Out with Electric and Duct; A/C Heat Recovery Unit; Duct Replacement Existing; Furnace Change Out (No Electric, Gas, Or Compressor); Furnace With A/C Equal Change Out 
• Plumbing – Emergency Sewer/Water Service Replacement Only; Plumbing Fixture Replacement Res/Comm; Re-Pipe Water Distribution Interior Only; Shower Pan Replacement (Plumbing Only); Tub To Shower Conversion (Includes Building); Walk-In Tub Conversion; Water Heater Equal Change Out, Tank or Tankless; Water Relocate/Tank or Tankless or New Tank; Water Soft/Cond, New Relocate; Water Conditioner Replacement 
• Roofing – Reroof Metal, Alum – Res/Comm; Shingle and/or Flat; Tile 

• Refrigeration – Equal Change out 

• New Construction – Residential New Building, Accessory Structures
• NEW Single Family-Duplex-Townhome – Single Family, Duplex, Townhome Individual Unity
• Aluminum Structure – Canopy/Carport, Screen Room/Pool Enclosure, Mobile Home Accessory Package
• Sunroom
• Addition to Building
• Remodel/Repair/Renovation – Interior Remodel, Exterior Renovation, Repair, Interior/Exterior Remodel, Kitchen/Bathroom remodel standalone (no change in footprint) 
• Building Other – Shed Prefab Tie-down only, Shed Site Built, Foundation Stabilization/Sinkhole, Tanks, Tent, Other Building, Exterior Deck/Porch, Concrete Slab/Foundation
• Demolition
• Pools and Spas – Pool/Above Ground, Pool/Spa In-Ground
• Mobile Home – Setup On Lot
• Solar – Domestic Water Heater, Photovoltaic, Pool/Spa Heater
• Fences and Walls – Fence, Masonry Fence/Wall, Seawall, Retaining Wall
• Electrical – Other electrical Standalone, Alarm System/Low Voltage, Generator, New Service-Panel, Pedestal/Power Pole/Saw Pole
• Plumbing – Lawn Sprinkler-Connect To City/County, Other Plumbing Standalone, New Sewer/Water service or Site Work, Existing Water Service/Sewer Replacement
• Mechanical – Chemical Fire Suppression, Refrigeration, Other Mechanical Standalone, New A/C System
• Gas – Gas-New L.P. Tank, Gas Appliance Replace, Gas Systems, New or Extend, Other Gas Standalone

• New Construction – New Building
• Aluminum Structure – Canopy/Carport; Screen Room/Pool Enclosure
• Construction/Sale/Office Trailer
• Tower-Antenna-Cell
• Addition – Addition To Building
• Remodel/Repair/Renovation – Interior Remodel; Exterior Renovation; Repair; Interior/Exterior Remodel; Kitchen/Bathroom remodel standalone (no change in footprint)
• Building Other – Shed Prefab Tie-down only; Shed Site Built; Foundation Stabilization/Sinkhole; Tanks; Tent; Other Building; Exterior Deck/Porch; Concrete Slab/Foundation
• Demolition
• Pools and Spas – Pool/Above Ground; Pool/Spa In-Ground
• Solar – Domestic Water Heater; Photovoltaic; Pool/Spa Heater
• Fences and Walls – Fence; Masonry Fence/Wall; Seawall; Retaining Wall
• Signs – Billboard; Wall no Electrical; Wall With Electrical; Monument/Pylon/Pole Signs no Electrical; Monument/Pylon/Pole Signs With Electrical; Change To Existing/Face Change
• Medical Gas/Vacuum
• Fire Sprinkler
• Electrical -Other Electrical Standalone; Alarm System/Low Voltage; Generator; Service Change-Panel; Pedestal/Power Pole/Saw Pole
• Plumbing – Other Plumbing Standalone; New Sewer/Water service or Site Work; Ext Water Service/Sewer Replacement
• Mechanical – Hood; Chemical Fire Suppression; Refrigeration; Other Mechanical Standalone; New A/C System
• Gas -Gas – New L.P. Tank; Gas Appliance Replace; Gas Systems, New or Extend; Other Gas Standalone

Find more information about the Habitat Permit.

• Tree Removal 
• Development Activities 

• Residential 
• Commercial 
• Utilities 
• Special Events 
• Site Plans – Site Development 

See more information on the Zoning & Land Use page.

• Fences – Nonstructural, less that 6ft
• Driveways, include Utilization and Habitat Permits (find forms here)
• Liquor License
• Adult Use 
• Short Term Vacation Rentals 
• Standalone Fill 
• Slab/Patios/ including Pavers not part Building Permits 
• Zoning Verification Letters 

Building permit applications should be submitted using the Pinellas County Access Portal. View instructions for how to apply for a building permit on the Access Portal.

Check the status of an application or search for a permit using the Pinellas County Access Portal. View instructions for how to check building permit status Without a Contractor’s License on the Access Portal.

• Reinstate an expired permit / extend a permit that is about to expire: Fill out an Extension/Reinstatement Request Form and email it to permitcloserequest@pinellas.gov. In the email, please state the permit number and reason the permit needs to be reinstated or extended.
• Change a General Contractor: Write a letter signed by the property owner, fill out a new Central Permit Form, and email it to BlddiWeb@pinellas.gov.
• Change subcontractors: Write a letter signed by the property owner, and email the letter with a Subcontractors List to BlddiWeb@pinellas.gov.
• Submit a revision for a Building: Log into the Pinellas County Access Portal. Click on the Build tab to view your permits. A link to amend will appear on the page if a reviewer needs that information from you. *This does not apply to Express permits. 
• Submit a revision for an Express Permit: Fill out a Central Permit Form and email to BlddiWeb@pinellas.gov. 

Payments are accepted by credit card or eCheck on the Pinellas County Access Portal.

View fee schedule – Building and Development Review fees begin on page 317.

For Pinellas County properties, you must record the Notice of Commencement (NOC) at the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. After the document is recorded, it must be attached to the permit on the Pinellas County Access Portal or by emailing to BuildingPermitRecord@Pinellas.gov. The NOC must be on file and on-site for the first inspection. 

The Pinellas Clerk offers Notice of Commencement (NOC) Online recording services for businesses only, or at the locations below: 

• 315 Court St. Clearwater – Room 150                              
• 545 1st Avenue North St Petersburg – Room 153

Per Florida statute, all Notices of Commencement must be onsite for each inspection.

You must have a valid license associated with your Pinellas County Access Portal account in order to add your license to Permit applications.

Permitting contractors will need to create an account through the Pinellas County Access Portal. A current state-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or a state identification card, must be uploaded to your Pinellas County Access Portal account for Pinellas County Building Services to verify a license holder, a process that may take up to 24 business hours.

Only licensed contractors can add a license to their Pinellas County Access Portal, and the contractor must be identified as the Account Owner. Authorized agents must be added as delegates by the contractor on the contractor account to act on their behalf once permissions have been granted.

When registering with the Pinellas County Access Portal, your contractor license must be in Active status.

If your contractor license does not appear when adding your license to the account, your license may be expired or may not be active in the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB) database. You will need to contact the PCCLB directly to address any issues with the status of your license. The Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services department will not be able to update any license information. Permits will not be processed for inactive contractors.

Gas/LP, Mobile Home installers/IH, Sprinkler, Chemical, and Fire Protection contractors are not regulated by PCCLB.  

Contractors not regulated by PCCLB, must submit registration to Building@pinellas.gov. Please include the following items:

• Copy of State-issued contractor license
• Liability and workers compensation insurance certificates
• Copy of State-issued identification (driver’s license, etc.); address must match contractor license

If you are not a non PCCLB license holder but have never registered with PCCLB, here’s how to register:

1. Create an account on the Pinellas County Access Portal

2. Select Build and Apply for A Permit 

3. Accept the Disclaimer, and select Continue 
4. Choose State Contractor Verification