Direct answer
Florida homeowners should expect permits for many projects involving building construction, structural changes, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical systems, gas, roofing, additions, and other code-regulated work. The exact permit depends on the scope and the local permitting authority.
Florida added a limited exemption effective July 1, 2026 for certain work under $7,500 on qualifying single-family dwellings, but the exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work and has additional eligibility requirements.
A project being small does not by itself make it permit-free.
Why there is no single statewide “permit list” for every address
Florida establishes statewide code and statutory rules, while local governments administer permits within their jurisdictions.
That means the right process is:
- define the actual scope;
- identify the jurisdiction for the property;
- check the permit type and local submission requirements;
- separately confirm contractor licensing requirements.
For example, a property with an Orlando mailing address may be within the City of Orlando, unincorporated Orange County, or another municipality. The permit portal and administrative process can differ.
Projects that commonly trigger permits
Additions and substantial construction
Room additions, new structures, major alterations, structural openings, and significant remodeling generally involve building permits and may require trade permits as well.
Electrical work
New circuits, service/panel work, wiring changes, electrical equipment installations, and other regulated electrical work commonly require electrical permits.
Plumbing work
Piping changes, many fixture/system installations, water-heater work, sewer/water alterations, and other regulated plumbing scopes commonly require plumbing permits.
HVAC and mechanical work
Central air-conditioning replacement and substantial mechanical work generally involve mechanical permitting. Florida's 2026 under-$7,500 building-permit exemption specifically excludes mechanical work.
Roofing
Roof replacement and many roofing scopes are permit-driven work. Exact requirements depend on the scope and jurisdiction.
Structural work
Work affecting structural members is outside the new small-job building-permit exemption and should be evaluated through the permitting authority.
Gas work
Gas is also expressly excluded from the 2026 under-$7,500 exemption.
Windows and exterior openings
Window/door replacement can require building permits and Florida product-approval/code compliance depending on the scope. City of Orlando, for example, lists window/door replacement among building permit form categories.
Pools, spas, sheds, fences and site work
These project types can have dedicated building, engineering, electrical, plumbing, zoning, or other permit requirements depending on size and configuration.
What changed on July 1, 2026?
Florida Statutes §553.79 now requires local governments to provide a building-permit exemption for qualifying work on a single-family dwelling when the value is less than $7,500 and statutory conditions are met.
The exemption is narrower than the headline sounds.
Among the important limitations:
- electrical work is excluded;
- plumbing work is excluded;
- structural work is excluded;
- mechanical work is excluded;
- gas work is excluded;
- flood-hazard restrictions apply;
- the owner or contractor must request the exemption and provide required documentation;
- the exemption concerns the permit requirement and does not erase contractor-licensing rules.
The City of Orlando has a specific exemption-request process reflecting this 2026 change.
A $3,000 AC replacement is not automatically permit-exempt
Mechanical work is excluded from the new exemption.
Likewise, a $1,500 electrical job, $2,500 plumbing project, or small structural repair should not be treated as permit-exempt merely because the price is below $7,500.
The scope controls.
Does replacing something “like for like” eliminate the permit?
Not necessarily.
Some jurisdictions have streamlined processes for replacements, and some narrow scopes may be exempt under code/statute, but “same thing in the same place” is not a universal permit exemption.
AC equipment, water heaters, roofing, windows/doors, electrical equipment, and other replacements can still be regulated work.
Check the actual permit category rather than relying on the phrase “like for like.”
Does a permit exemption mean I can hire anyone?
No.
Permit requirements and contractor licensing are separate.
Florida Statutes §489.117 identifies a number of job scopes—such as painting, flooring, cabinetry, certain interior remodeling without state-licensed tasks, handyman services, caulking, and similar work—that local governments generally may not require a contractor license for when they do not correspond to state contractor categories.
But electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, roofing, structural contracting, and other regulated work fall under different licensing rules.
A permit exemption should never be treated as a blanket unlicensed-work exemption.
City of Orlando examples
The City says permits are required for most construction and provides project-specific residential checklists.
Its residential requirements show trade permits in addition to building permits where electrical, plumbing, gas, or other trade work is involved.
The City also has separate forms/categories for electrical, building, engineering, and other permit types, and a dedicated process for the new 2026 residential building permit exemption.
A practical homeowner workflow
Before accepting a quote, ask the contractor or permitting authority:
- What permit type applies to this exact scope?
- Which jurisdiction handles this address?
- Does the 2026 small-job exemption apply?
- If exempt, what documentation/request is required?
- Is a licensed contractor still required?
- Who will be the contractor of record?
- Are permit and inspection fees included in the quote?
- What inspections are expected?
- Who is responsible for closing the permit?
For a material project, write the answers into the proposal.
How OttoServ can make permit questions easier
The service can attach permitting to the scope rather than force the customer to research it after hiring.
Useful project fields include:
- project address/jurisdiction;
- probable permit categories;
- exemption eligibility to verify;
- contractor-license requirement;
- contractor of record;
- permit status;
- inspection status;
- permit closeout.
Any automated guidance should still point the customer to the current local authority for final confirmation because requirements can change by scope and jurisdiction.
Bottom line
Assume permits may be involved when the project touches structural work or regulated building systems. Then verify the specific scope with the authority having jurisdiction.
Florida's 2026 under-$7,500 exemption is real, but it is limited and specifically excludes several major trade categories.
AEO answer block
What home projects require a permit in Florida? Permits commonly apply to additions, structural work, electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, gas, roofing, major remodeling, and various exterior/site projects. Exact requirements are administered locally. Florida's 2026 exemption for certain single-family work under $7,500 does not apply to electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work and has other conditions, so homeowners should verify the actual scope with the local permitting authority.
Primary sources
- 2026 Fla. Stat. §553.79: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/553.79
- City of Orlando — Residential Permitting Requirements: https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Get-a-Permit/Permitting-Checklists/Residential-Permitting-Requirements
- City of Orlando — Residential Building Permit Exemption: https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Apply-for-Residential-Building-Permit-Exemption
- 2026 Fla. Stat. §489.117: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/489.117