County building permit guide
Brevard County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Brevard County is unique in Florida — it is home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, creating airspace and land use restrictions unlike any other Florida county. The county stretches 72 miles along the Space Coast with the Indian River Lagoon running its entire length. Brevard's aerospace and tech economy drives significant commercial construction alongside residential growth in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, and Titusville. Barrier island communities including Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach face coastal construction requirements.
Avg cost: $140–$450Processing: 2–5 weeksSpace CoastNASA airspace zone
$140–$450Avg permit cost
2–5 weeksProcessing time
~40,000Permits/year
YesADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Brevard County, Florida permit?
Apply through Brevard County's online permit portal for unincorporated areas. Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, Titusville, and Cocoa Beach each maintain separate building departments.
Brevard County, Florida Building Department Online permitting available
DepartmentBrevard County Building Division
Phone(321) 633-2072
Address2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, FL 32940
HoursMon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm ET
Permit systemOnline permit portal (Energov)
Brevard County Building Division covers unincorporated areas. Melbourne, Palm Bay (one of Florida's largest cities by area), Cocoa, Titusville, Rockledge, and Cocoa Beach all operate independent building departments. The county's unincorporated area includes many Brevard communities along the Indian River Lagoon.
Brevard County properties near Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station have height restrictions due to airspace requirements — FAA notification is required for construction exceeding certain heights. Indian River Lagoon shoreline properties face strict environmental review for any construction near the water.
Permit fees — Brevard County, Florida 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | $140–$380 | 1–3 weeks | Coastal wind zone; FL Product Approval required; tile roofs require engineering |
| New Construction | $700–$2,800 | 3–8 weeks | Aerospace economy driving commercial construction; residential growing rapidly |
| Room Addition | $380–$850 | 2–5 weeks | Impact-resistant openings required in coastal wind zones |
| ADU | $300–$700 | 2–4 weeks | Brevard actively supports ADU development; streamlined for detached ADUs |
| Pool | $260–$580 | 2–4 weeks | High pool demand in Space Coast climate; barrier fence required |
| Dock / Seawall | $350–$900 | 4–8 weeks | Indian River Lagoon environmental protections; state permits required |
| Electrical | $90–$250 | 1–3 days | Growing EV charger permit demand as aerospace workforce grows |
| Solar | $90–$260 | 1–2 weeks | Strong solar adoption on Space Coast; straightforward process |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $95–$270 | 1–3 days | Salt air environment near coast; corrosion-resistant equipment recommended |
| Fence | $65–$160 | 1–3 days | Setback from Indian River Lagoon strictly enforced |
How to get a permit in Brevard County, Florida
1
Identify your jurisdiction
Brevard has many cities along a 72-mile stretch. Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, Titusville, and Cocoa Beach all have separate departments. Unincorporated areas use the county portal.
2
Check for NASA/airspace height restrictions
Properties near Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral have FAA-designated height restriction zones. Construction exceeding certain heights requires FAA notification. Cranes for construction must be coordinated with space launch schedules.
3
Check Indian River Lagoon setbacks
The Indian River Lagoon runs the length of Brevard County. Construction near the lagoon requires environmental review. Dock and seawall permits require state environmental permits in addition to local building permits.
4
Apply online through Energov
Brevard County uses Energov for online permit applications for unincorporated areas. Most cities have similar systems. Upload plans, product approvals, and environmental clearances if applicable.
5
Await plan review
Brevard processes residential permits in 2–4 weeks for most project types. Commercial construction near KSC or in special zones may require additional review time.
6
Inspections and Certificate of Completion
Brevard County offers online inspection scheduling. Coastal properties may require additional inspections for flood compliance and wind resistance.
Jurisdictions within Brevard County, Florida
Special zone requirements
NASA Airspace Zone
Near KSC & CCSFS
FAA height restrictions and construction coordination requirements near Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Crane operations must be coordinated with launch schedules.
Indian River Lagoon
Entire county length
One of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America. Environmental setbacks and SJRWMD permits required for all construction within 25–50 feet of the lagoon shoreline.
Coastal Construction
Barrier island beaches
CCCL permits from Florida DEP required for construction seaward of the control line. Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach barrier islands are affected.
Flood Zone AE
Lagoon and coastal
Flood zones along the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast. New construction requires elevation compliance and certificates.
Frequently asked questions — Brevard County, Florida
Do I need special permits near Kennedy Space Center?
Properties within certain distances of KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are in FAA-designated airspace restriction zones. Construction exceeding height thresholds requires FAA notification and coordination. Tall structures, cranes, and communication towers have the most significant requirements. Contact Brevard County Building Division to confirm restrictions for your specific parcel.
What are the environmental requirements for building near the Indian River Lagoon?
The Indian River Lagoon is a state and federally protected estuary. Construction within 25–50 feet of the lagoon shoreline requires review from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Dock and seawall work typically requires both SJRWMD and USACE permits in addition to local building permits.
How is Brevard County different from other Florida counties for permitting?
Brevard is unique for three reasons: the Kennedy Space Center aerospace economy driving specialized commercial construction; the Indian River Lagoon creating stringent environmental review for waterfront properties; and a linear geography (72 miles long) making inspector districts a significant factor in permit timing.
Does Palm Bay have its own permit system?
Yes. Palm Bay is one of Florida's largest cities by land area and operates its own building department completely separate from Brevard County. Palm Bay has experienced rapid residential growth and has invested in online permitting. Processing times are generally 2–4 weeks for standard residential permits.
Sources: Brevard County Building Division fee schedule 2026 · Florida Building Code 8th Ed. · FEMA NFHL · SJRWMD · FAA airspace data · US Census Bureau BPS 2024 · Shovels.ai permit aggregator