County building permit guide
Hillsborough County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Hillsborough County encompasses Tampa and is one of Florida's fastest-growing construction markets. The county's Building Services division covers the large unincorporated area while Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City operate independent departments. Hillsborough sits in a moderate hurricane zone — not HVHZ — but Florida Building Code wind standards are strictly enforced. The county has invested heavily in its online permitting platform, making the process more efficient than many Florida counties.
Avg cost: $150–$500Processing: 2–6 weeksTampa metro~1.5M residents
$150–$500Avg permit cost
2–6 weeksProcessing time
~80,000Permits/year
YesADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Hillsborough County, Florida permit?
Visit Hillsborough County's ePermitting portal for unincorporated areas. City of Tampa uses its own ePermits system. Temple Terrace and Plant City also maintain separate portals.
Hillsborough County, Florida Building Department Online permitting available
DepartmentHillsborough County Building Services
Phone(813) 272-5600
Address601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602
HoursMon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm ET
Permit systemAccela online ePerm portal
Hillsborough County Building Services covers the unincorporated county — a large area surrounding Tampa. The City of Tampa uses its own ePermits system through Accela. Temple Terrace and Plant City maintain separate building departments. The county's unincorporated area is one of the largest in Florida.
Hillsborough County is NOT in the HVHZ — Florida Product Approval (not Miami-Dade NOA) is required. The county sits in Wind Zone II/III depending on location. Coastal and bay-front properties have additional requirements. Tampa uses a separate permit system from the county.
Permit fees — Hillsborough County, Florida 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | $150–$400 | 2–4 weeks | Full replacement requires permit; repair thresholds apply (25% rule) |
| New Construction | $800–$3,000 | 4–10 weeks | Fast-growing market — plan review backlog possible; expedited review available |
| Room Addition | $400–$1,000 | 3–6 weeks | Energy compliance documentation required; impact openings in most areas |
| ADU | $350–$800 | 3–6 weeks | Hillsborough actively supports ADU development; streamlined process available |
| Pool | $300–$650 | 3–5 weeks | Safety fence mandatory; gas line permit separate if applicable |
| Electrical | $100–$280 | 1–2 weeks | Panel upgrades common in older Tampa neighborhoods; AFCI required throughout |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $110–$320 | 1–2 weeks | All system replacements require permit; load calculations for new installations |
| Solar | $100–$300 | 1–3 weeks | High solar adoption in Tampa metro; SolarAPP+ accepted for most installs |
| Fence | $75–$175 | 3–7 days | Simple permit process; wind load design for commercial or tall residential fences |
| Deck / Patio | $150–$400 | 2–4 weeks | Engineering for elevated decks; concrete slab permits straightforward |
How to get a permit in Hillsborough County, Florida
1
Confirm Tampa vs county jurisdiction
Tampa city limits and unincorporated Hillsborough are different systems. Use the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's site to confirm — then use the correct portal.
2
Check for flood zone status
Significant portions of Hillsborough sit in FEMA flood zones, especially near Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough River. Check your flood zone before designing any ground-floor improvements.
3
Apply online through the correct portal
Hillsborough County uses Accela. Tampa City uses its own ePermits portal. Both accept digital plan submission for most project types. No paper required for most residential permits.
4
Await plan review
Hillsborough processes simple residential permits faster than many Florida counties. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing can sometimes be issued same-day for simple replacements.
5
Schedule inspections via the online portal
Hillsborough offers online inspection scheduling with 24-hour advance notice. Inspectors cover specific geographic zones — check your zone assignment at permit issuance.
6
Obtain Certificate of Completion
Hillsborough issues Certificates of Completion for all permitted work. New residential construction requires a Certificate of Occupancy before occupancy.
Jurisdictions within Hillsborough County, Florida
Special zone requirements
Flood Zone AE
Tampa Bay shoreline
Extensive FEMA flood zones around Tampa Bay. Elevation certificates and flood-resistant construction required for new builds and substantial improvements.
Wind Zone II/III
Coastal transition
Hillsborough transitions from Wind Zone II inland to Wind Zone III near the coast. Design wind speeds affect structural requirements for all construction.
Storm Surge Zone
Bayshore & waterfront
Tampa Bay storm surge risk is significant. Zone A properties face mandatory evacuation in major storms and heightened construction standards.
Wildfire Interface
Eastern county
Eastern Hillsborough has wildland-urban interface areas. Construction standards include ember-resistant vents and defensible space requirements.
Frequently asked questions — Hillsborough County, Florida
Is Tampa permitting separate from Hillsborough County?
Yes. The City of Tampa is its own jurisdiction with its own building department and permit portal (ePermits). Hillsborough County Building Services only covers unincorporated areas outside city limits. Use the property appraiser's parcel search to determine which applies to your address.
How long does a pool permit take in Hillsborough County?
Pool permits in unincorporated Hillsborough typically take 3–5 weeks from application to permit issuance. Tampa City runs similarly. The safety fence must be installed and inspected before the pool can be filled — plan this into your construction timeline.
Does Hillsborough County allow ADUs?
Yes. Hillsborough County has actively streamlined ADU permitting. Both attached and detached ADUs are allowed in most residential zones in unincorporated areas. Tampa City also allows ADUs under Florida state law. Check specific zoning for your parcel as rules vary by district.
What is the 25% roofing rule in Florida?
Florida law allows re-roofing of up to 25% of a roof area without a permit. If repair or replacement exceeds 25% of the total roof area, a full roofing permit is required. This rule applies throughout Hillsborough County and the rest of Florida.
Sources: Hillsborough County Building Services fee schedule 2026 · City of Tampa ePermits · Florida Building Code 8th Ed. · FEMA NFHL · US Census Bureau BPS 2024