County building permit guide
Brevard County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Brevard County is Florida's Space Coast - home to Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and the growing aerospace and defense industry. Melbourne and Cocoa Beach are the major cities. Building permits near active launch facilities require FAA height compliance review. Barrier island communities face strict coastal construction requirements.
Avg cost: $125-$700
Processing: 2-6 weeks
~20K permits/yr
Space Coast - NASA area
$125-$700Avg permit cost
2-6 weeksProcessing time
20,000Permits/year
Partial (SB 1586)ADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Brevard County, Florida permit?
County serves unincorporated Brevard. Melbourne, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Titusville, and other municipalities each have their own departments.
Apply via Brevard County Building ↗
Brevard County, Florida Building Department
Online Permits Available
Brevard County Building & Development Services
(321) 633-2072
Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm ET
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940
Online Permit Portal
SPACE COAST AIRSPACE: Properties within 5 miles of Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station may require FAA airspace review for tall structures, cranes, and antennas. The county building department will flag affected applications. Barrier island properties also face strict CCCL setback requirements.
Permit fees — Brevard County, Florida, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $400-$2,000 | 3-8 weeks | FBC; FAA height review near launch facilities; coastal CCCL on barrier islands |
| Roofing | $125-$500 | 2-5 days | FL Product Approval; wind mitigation after; hurricane season prep common |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $100-$275 | 2-5 days | Separate mechanical permit; salt air environment increases AC demand |
| Electrical | $100-$275 | 2-5 days | Separate electrical permit; EV growing with tech industry workers |
| Plumbing | $75-$225 | 2-5 days | Separate plumbing permit; water heater permits always required |
| Pool / Spa | $250-$900 | 3-7 weeks | Barrier fence required; barrier island pools need CCCL + county permit |
| Room Addition | $300-$1,400 | 3-7 weeks | CCCL setback on barrier islands; FAA review for tall additions near KSC |
| Solar | $75-$300 | 1-2 weeks | Space Coast has excellent solar resource; growing tech-worker demographic |
| Dock / Boat | $200-$1,200 | 4-12 weeks | Indian River Lagoon FDEP permits + county permit; manatee protection rules |
| Windows / Doors | $75-$300 | 2-5 days | Impact-rated in wind-borne debris zone; barrier island = higher requirement |
| Fence | $50-$175 | 2-4 days | HOA rules prevalent; barrier island communities have design requirements |
| Demolition | $125-$500 | 1-2 weeks | Asbestos survey required pre-1978; NASA area may have hazmat considerations |
How to get a permit in Brevard County, Florida
1
Find your city jurisdiction
Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Titusville all have separate building departments. Unincorporated Brevard (a large area including Viera, Suntree, Merritt Island unincorporated) uses the county.
2
FAA airspace check for tall structures
If you're within 5 miles of KSC or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and planning a tall structure (antenna, large crane, multi-story addition), confirm FAA airspace review requirements with the county building department before applying.
3
Barrier island CCCL requirements
Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, and Indian Harbour Beach are on the barrier island. Construction near the ocean requires compliance with the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) - which means a separate Florida DEP permit for work near the beach.
4
Indian River Lagoon protections
The Indian River Lagoon runs the length of Brevard County. Docks, seawalls, and waterfront construction require both county and FDEP permits. Manatee protection rules affect boat lift and dock construction timing.
5
Apply online
Brevard County offers online permit applications for most permit types. Simple permits (re-roof, HVAC, water heater) are often approved within 2-5 business days.
6
Wind mitigation inspection
After new roofing, schedule a wind mitigation inspection. Space Coast insurance rates have risen significantly - savings of $400-$1,200/year are typical.
Jurisdictions within Brevard County, Florida
Special zone requirements
NASA/KSC Airspace Zone
Within 5 miles of KSC and CCSFS
FAA Part 77 airspace review required for tall structures, antennas, cranes. Coordinate with county before applying for tall structure permits.
Coastal Construction Control Line
Atlantic barrier island communities
Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Indialantic in CCCL zone. FDEP permit required in addition to county permit for near-beach construction.
Indian River Lagoon Buffer
Entire western shoreline of barrier island
Special environmental review for docks, seawalls, and shoreline modifications. Manatee protection zone - construction restricted seasonally near warm-water refuges.
Frequently asked questions — Brevard County, Florida
Do NASA facilities affect building permits in Brevard?
Properties near Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station may require FAA airspace review for tall structures. The county building department flags affected applications automatically. If you're within approximately 5 miles and planning a multi-story addition, antenna installation, or if construction will require a tall crane, the county will notify you of FAA review requirements.
What makes Cocoa Beach permits different?
Cocoa Beach is on the barrier island and has its own building department. Properties near the ocean are in the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) zone, requiring a Florida DEP permit in addition to the city permit. Setbacks from the CCCL restrict where structures can be built or expanded. The city has strict architectural standards to maintain beach community character.
Are there special rules for the Indian River Lagoon?
Yes. The Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America and is heavily protected. Docks, seawalls, boat lifts, and any waterfront construction require both a Brevard County permit and a Florida DEP permit (which involves environmental review). Construction timing restrictions apply during manatee season. The permitting process for waterfront construction typically takes 4-12 months.
Is Brevard County growing fast?
Yes. The Space Coast is experiencing a growth boom driven by SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin operations at Cape Canaveral, plus the growth of the broader tech and aerospace workforce. Melbourne and Palm Bay are among the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida. New construction permits are at multi-decade highs.
Brevard County Natural Resources & Building Services 2024 · US Census Bureau BPS · FAA