County building permit guide
Broward County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Broward County shares High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) status with Miami-Dade, meaning all exterior building products require a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). With 31 municipalities each running independent building departments, Broward is one of the most fragmented permitting environments in Florida. Knowing which department governs your address is the critical first step.
Avg cost: $175–$650Processing: 3–8 weeksHVHZ zone31 municipalities
$175–$650Avg permit cost
3–8 weeksProcessing time
~75,000Permits/year
PartialADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Broward County, Florida permit?
Visit the Broward County Building Division portal for unincorporated areas. If you are within a city, contact that city's building department directly — Broward has 31 separate municipal permit systems.
Broward County, Florida Building Department Online permitting available
DepartmentBroward County Building Division
Phone(954) 765-4400
Address1 N. University Dr., Plantation, FL 33324
HoursMon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm ET
Permit systemAccela Citizen Access (online portal)
Broward County Building Division covers only unincorporated Broward. Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Miramar, and 26 other cities all have their own permit departments. Unincorporated Broward is relatively small in land area.
Broward County has 31 incorporated municipalities — each with its own building department, fee schedule, and processing time. The Broward County Building Division only covers unincorporated areas. Always verify your jurisdiction before submitting a permit application.
Permit fees — Broward County, Florida 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | $200–$500 | 2–5 weeks | NOA required — same HVHZ standard as Miami-Dade; dry-in inspection mandatory |
| New Construction | $1,200–$4,500 | 5–12 weeks | HVHZ engineering required; wind-borne debris protection mandatory |
| Room Addition | $500–$1,200 | 4–8 weeks | Impact-resistant windows and doors required throughout structure |
| Pool | $350–$750 | 3–6 weeks | Barrier fence mandatory; electrical bonding and GFCI required |
| Electrical | $125–$350 | 1–2 weeks | Load calculations required for panel upgrades; EV charger permits common |
| Plumbing | $90–$300 | 1–2 weeks | Water heater replacement always requires permit in Broward |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $130–$400 | 1–2 weeks | Hurricane-rated equipment required; permit required for all replacements |
| Solar | $130–$380 | 2–3 weeks | Structural engineering for roof attachment required per HVHZ |
| ADU | $500–$1,100 | 4–8 weeks | State ADU laws apply; some cities more restrictive than county |
| Fence | $90–$220 | 1–2 weeks | Wind load calculations for fences over 6 feet in HVHZ |
How to get a permit in Broward County, Florida
1
Determine your city or unincorporated status
Broward has 31 cities. Use the Broward County Property Appraiser's site to find your exact jurisdiction. Each city has its own portal, fees, and timelines.
2
Confirm HVHZ product requirements
As an HVHZ county, Broward requires Miami-Dade NOA for all exterior products. Verify product approvals before purchasing roofing, windows, or doors.
3
Prepare construction documents
All structural work requires signed-and-sealed drawings from a Florida-licensed engineer or architect. Impact protection compliance must be documented.
4
Submit online through your jurisdiction's portal
Most Broward cities use Accela or a similar system for online submission. The county covers unincorporated areas through the county portal.
5
Pay plan check fees and await review
Plan review in larger Broward cities (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood) typically takes 3–6 weeks. Expedited review is available in most jurisdictions.
6
Schedule inspections
Required inspections vary by project type. Roofing requires a mandatory dry-in inspection before final shingles. Schedule early as inspectors are in high demand across the county.
Jurisdictions within Broward County, Florida
Special zone requirements
HVHZ — Hurricane Zone
Entire county
Broward and Miami-Dade are the only HVHZ counties in the US. Miami-Dade NOA required for all exterior products.
Coastal Construction
Atlantic barrier island
CCCL permits from Florida DEP required for construction seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line.
Flood Zone AE
Eastern low areas
FEMA flood zones cover barrier islands and inland waterways. Elevation certificates and flood-resistant construction required.
Broward Well Field
Western county
Special restrictions apply near wellfield protection zones. Certain chemicals and underground storage prohibited.
Frequently asked questions — Broward County, Florida
Which building department do I contact in Broward County?
It depends entirely on your address. Broward has 31 cities each with their own department. Use the Broward County Property Appraiser's parcel search to find your city, then contact that city's building department. Only truly unincorporated areas use the county system.
Does Broward require the same NOA as Miami-Dade?
Yes. Both counties are in the HVHZ and require Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance for exterior building products. This is one of the few areas where both counties share the same standard.
How long does a roofing permit take in Broward County?
Timelines vary by city. In Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, expect 3–5 weeks for residential roofing permits. Smaller cities may process faster. All roofing requires a dry-in inspection before final shingles can be installed.
Can I convert my garage to living space in Broward?
Garage conversions are permitted in Broward but require full permitting including electrical, plumbing if added, HVAC, impact-resistant windows, and insulation to code. Some HOAs restrict conversions — check deed restrictions before applying.
Sources: Broward County Building Division fee schedule 2026 · Florida Building Code 8th Ed. · FEMA NFHL · US Census Bureau BPS 2024 · Shovels.ai permit aggregator