Residential Permitting Requirements

Required Permits

• Building Permit
• Trade permits are also required for electrical, plumbing, gas or other applicable work.

Notice of Commencement

If you are a homeowner managing your own project, Florida law requires specific documentation, including an Owner/Builder Declaration and, in certain cases, a recorded Notice of Commencement.

• A recorded Notice of Commencement is required when the construction value exceeds $5,000 for a building permit.

Review the Notice of Commencement requirements for information about when and how to submit these documents.

Required Plans & Documents

All plans must:

• Be dimensioned and drawn to scale.
• Include a third-party verified signature of a Florida-registered architect or engineer, along with any other required supporting documents.

The following plans and documents must be uploaded for review and approval. Learn how to submit construction project plans.

Building Construction Plans

Your building construction plans must include the following, as applicable:

• Architectural drawings
• Structural, foundation and wall section details signed and sealed by a licensed engineer or architect
• Dimensioned floor plan with labeled rooms showing what is existing and what is proposed
• Electrical plan
• Energy calculations - A mechanical contractor or project architect must sign the owner/agent certification.
• Truss package
• Code criteria
• Wind load calculations
• Roof ventilation calculations
• ICC report for foam insulation, if applicable
• Florida Product Approval documentation, if applicable

Florida Product Approval Documentation

If your project includes products that require Florida Product Approval, provide the manufacturer's installation instructions and the Application Detail page from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). 

Follow these steps to find the required documents:

1. Search for the Florida product approval number (FL #) on the DBPR Product Approval website.
2. Open the Application Detail page for the product. This page serves as the product approval cover sheet.
3. Scroll to the Summary of Products section and locate the applicable product.
4. Select the Installation Instructions link for the applicable product.
5. Include the Application Detail page and manufacturer's installation instructions with your plan submittal.

Application Detail page
After searching for the Florida product approval number, open the Application Detail page.

Installation Instructions
In the Summary of Products section, select the Installation Instructions link for the applicable product.

Site Plan or Survey

Your site plan or survey must include:

• Property lines with lot dimensions
• Adjacent street locations and names
• Easements
• North arrow
• Total building site area in square feet
• Dimensions of any existing or proposed buildings
• Lot area
• Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) calculations
• Dimensions and locations of:
  • Air conditioner or mechanical equipment pads
  • Pool equipment
  • Porches, patios and steps
  • Driveway and driveway approach
  • Curb, street pavement edge, public sidewalk and on-site walkways
  • Structure projections and roof overhangs
• Locations of existing trees
• Distances from property lines to existing and proposed improvements
• Distances between existing and proposed improvements
• Clear identification of existing conditions and proposed work

Additional Required Documents

• Erosion control device details
• Fire sprinkler plans for Baldwin Park and for some areas southeast of Orlando International Airport
• Property Owner/Developer Approval for Baldwin Park - Written authorization to apply for permits from the Property Owner/Developer or authorization from the Town Architect
• Assignment Letter - Letter from the Property Owner/Developer assigning impact fee and sewer capacity credits
• Signed and sealed civil plans prepared by a licensed engineer for all infield lots

Revisions

• Submit revisions only after all plan examiners have completed their review of the previous submission.
• Submit only the sheets being revised.
• Include the revision request form with every revision.
• Provide a narrative identifying the purpose of the revision and what is being revised.
• Provide the case number and project address.
• Clearly identify all revisions on the drawings, such as by drawing clouds around revised areas.
• Attach a written response to all review comments and include a narrative listing and explaining all revisions.

Contractor Requirements

The contractor must provide the following before receiving a permit:

• State of Florida Contractor's License
• Contractor's Business Tax Receipt
• Proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance
• Surety Bond, for registered contractors only
• Competency Card, for registered contractors only
• Special Power of Attorney, if applicable

Most Common Reasons for Disapproval

• Site plan or survey is not included.
• Site plan or survey is not dimensioned.
• Building permit application is not signed or notarized.
• Location of the air conditioning unit is not shown on the site plan or survey.
• Plans are not signed and sealed.
• Contractor information is not current in the system.
• Application is missing complete owner information.
• Revision does not include a narrative or clearly identify the changes made.

Required Permits

• Engineering Permit Application
• Certificate of Appropriateness, for properties in historic districts only

Notice of Commencement and Owner/Builder Declaration

If you are doing the work as the homeowner and are not hiring a contractor, the State of Florida requires you to submit an Owner/Builder Declaration with the engineering permit application. This form must be signed in person at the Permitting Services office.

If the project value exceeds $5,000, you must provide the City with a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement. Review the Notice of Commencement requirements.

Required Plans & Documents

The following plans and documents must be uploaded for review and approval. Learn how to submit construction project plans.

Site Plan, Survey or Plot Plan

A survey is a drawing of your property that includes property lines and easements and is signed and sealed by a surveyor. This document may have been provided with your deed or home sale documents.

If you cannot locate your survey, you can submit a public records request to see if the City has a copy. Contact a surveyor if a copy is not available or the survey is outdated.

• Show where the work will be located and include dimensions (L x W).
• Show the distance between the property line and the proposed work.
• Review Municipal Code 61.302(d) for driveway width requirements.
• Review Municipal Code 61.302(e) for semi-circular driveway requirements.
• Review Municipal Code 61.302(i) for prohibited driveway materials.
• Show your lot and front-yard Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) calculations. Use the ISR Worksheet and include the completed worksheet with your site plan.

The following statement must be included in your plans:

The City of Orlando's Guidelines for Erosion Sediment Control will serve as a guide for the implementation of erosion sediment control measures. This document must also be uploaded as part of the submittal package.

Residential Driveway Apron Requirements

The driveway apron is the area between the street and sidewalk.

• Show where the work will be located and include dimensions.
• The driveway apron must be the same width as the driveway.
• Work on the apron requires:
  • MOT Notes
  • Driveway Detail Sheet - sheet 2, page 3
• Pavers placed on an apron must include a notarized Paver Agreement.

Please note: Projects that increase impervious area or alter existing elevations or surface drainage patterns require a grading plan and stormwater calculation prepared by a professional engineer (P.E.) and a topographic survey prepared by a professional surveyor to comply with Chapter 7 of the City Engineering Standards Manual.

Depending on your zoning district, a Certificate of Appropriateness from Historic Preservation may also be required.

Required Permit

• Engineering Permit Application

Artificial turf requires an engineering permit because it is considered an impervious surface. Properties are limited in the amount of impervious surface allowed.

Please allow two business days for the permit application to be processed after submission.

Check Your Eligibility

Review the artificial turf requirements and confirm the project does not exceed the allowable impervious surface for the property.

Use the ISR Worksheet to calculate the property's Impervious Surface Ratio.

Artificial turf is not allowed within 50 feet of a water body, such as a retention pond or natural lake.

Notice of Commencement and Owner/Builder Declaration

If you are doing the work as the homeowner and are not hiring a contractor, the State of Florida requires you to submit an Owner/Builder Declaration with the engineering permit application. The form must be signed in person at the Permitting Services office.

If the project value exceeds $5,000, you must provide the City with a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement. Review the Notice of Commencement requirements.

Required Plans & Documents

• Site plan, survey or plot plan showing property lines and easements and signed and sealed by a surveyor
• Location of the artificial turf, clearly shaded or highlighted, with dimensions (L x W)
• Distance between the property line and where the artificial turf begins
• Completed ISR Worksheet
• Artificial turf product specifications

The following statement must be included in your plans:

The City of Orlando's Guidelines for Erosion Sediment Control will serve as a guide for the implementation of erosion sediment control measures. This document must also be uploaded as part of the submittal package.

After your application is processed, the digital applicant will receive an email with a link to access ProjectDox and upload the required plans and documents.

Required Permits

• Building Permit
• Electrical and plumbing permits are required for applicable work, including lights, outlets and sinks.

Notice of Commencement and Owner/Builder Declaration

• If you are installing the shed as the homeowner and are not hiring a contractor, submit an Owner/Builder Declaration with the building permit application. This form must be signed in person at the Permitting Services office.
• If the project value exceeds $5,000, provide the City with a recorded Notice of Commencement. Review the Notice of Commencement requirements.

Required Plans & Documents

The following plans and documents must be uploaded for review and approval. Learn how to submit construction project plans.

Civil Plans

• Review the Residential Submittal Requirements for Site Engineering.
• For engineering or site work permits on projects less than one acre, use the City of Orlando's Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control for Construction Sites.

Site Plan

Your site plan must show:

• Location of the shed on the property
• Setbacks from the shed to the rear and side property lines
• Height and size of the shed
• Lot and front-yard Impervious Surface Ratio calculations

Use the ISR Worksheet and include the completed worksheet with your site plan.

Additional Plans

• Shed manufacturer's drawings or specifications
• If the shed does not meet City of Orlando wind speeds, anchors or straps will be required. Submit the specifications and installation instructions for the anchors or straps.

If your shed is custom-built rather than prefabricated, your plans must include signed and sealed engineered drawings.

Inspections Needed

Schedule an inspection.

Prefabricated shed:

• Final Inspection

Custom, field-built shed:

• Slab or Footer Inspection
• Exterior Strapping/Wall Sheathing Inspection
• Framing Inspection
• Final Inspection

Development Standards

• The City's Land Development Code determines if and where a shed can be built. Sheds are considered accessory structures. Review Chapter 58, Part 5 of the City Code.
• Properties within a homeowners association (HOA) may require an approval letter from the HOA. Confirm requirements with your HOA and upload an approval letter if required.
• Sheds located in a special plan or historic district may require additional City approvals before a permit can be issued. Check your property's zoning. For questions, email cityplanning@orlando.gov or call 407.246.2269 and select option 1.
• Properties located within a floodplain require additional review. Check whether your property is in a floodplain. For questions, call 407.246.3230.

Required Permits

• Building Permit

Notice of Commencement and Owner/Builder Declaration

• If you are installing the fence as the homeowner and are not hiring a contractor, submit an Owner/Builder Declaration with the building permit application. This form must be signed in person at the Permitting Services office.
• If the project value exceeds $5,000, provide the City with a recorded Notice of Commencement. Review the Notice of Commencement requirements.

Required Plans & Documents

The following plans and documents must be uploaded for review and approval. Learn how to submit construction project plans.

Provide a site plan using a copy of your property survey. Clearly show:

• Where the fence will be located
• Fence height and length
• Gate locations
• Required setbacks

Inspections Needed

Schedule an inspection.

• Final Inspection