County building permit guide
Hillsborough County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Hillsborough County is Tampa Bay's core county - one of Florida's fastest-growing jurisdictions. Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace each have their own building departments. The county serves a large unincorporated area through its online Accela portal. Post-Hurricane Milton (2024) storm surge rebuilding is a major current driver of permit activity.
Avg cost: $150-$900
Processing: 2-7 weeks
~50K permits/yr
~1.5M residents
$150-$900Avg permit cost
2-7 weeksProcessing time
50,000Permits/year
Partial (SB 1586)ADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Hillsborough County, Florida permit?
County serves unincorporated Hillsborough (~60% of county land). City of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace each have their own building departments.
Apply via Hillsborough County Permits ↗
Hillsborough County, Florida Building Department
Accela Portal Available
Hillsborough County Development Services
(813) 272-5600
Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm ET
601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602
Accela Citizen Access Portal
Post-Hurricane Milton 2024: Storm surge rebuilding is ongoing. Substantial Improvement rules apply to hurricane-damaged properties. Verify with the county before making any repairs exceeding 50% of pre-storm value - full code compliance and flood elevation may be required.
Permit fees — Hillsborough County, Florida, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $500-$2,800 | 4-10 weeks | FBC; wind zone compliance; surge area flood elevation required |
| Roofing | $150-$600 | 3-7 days | High volume post-Milton; impact/FBC products; wind mitigation after |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $100-$325 | 3-7 days | Separate mechanical permit; AC demand very high in Tampa humidity |
| Electrical | $100-$300 | 3-7 days | Separate electrical permit; EV charger installs growing |
| Plumbing | $100-$275 | 3-7 days | Separate plumbing permit; water heater always requires permit |
| Pool / Spa | $300-$1,000 | 3-8 weeks | Barrier fence required; high demand - one of highest pool rates in FL |
| Room Addition | $350-$1,600 | 3-8 weeks | Impact openings in wind-borne debris zone; structural plans required |
| ADU | $250-$900 | 3-7 weeks | SB 1586 limits local bans; county ADU rules apply in unincorporated areas |
| Windows / Doors | $100-$400 | 3-7 days | Impact-rated required in most of county; FL Product Approval needed |
| Solar | $100-$350 | 1-2 weeks | Growing rapidly in Tampa Bay; FL Product Approval for mounting |
| Fence | $50-$175 | 3-5 days | County and HOA rules apply; masonry fences need structural permits |
| Demolition | $150-$600 | 1-2 weeks | Asbestos survey required pre-1978; storm-damaged properties fast-tracked |
How to get a permit in Hillsborough County, Florida
1
Confirm city vs. county jurisdiction
Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace have their own building departments. Unincorporated Hillsborough (a large area including Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Carrollwood) uses the county portal.
2
Post-hurricane check
If your property sustained hurricane damage, calculate the repair cost vs. pre-storm value. If repairs exceed 50%, full code compliance including flood elevation is required before any permits are issued.
3
Apply online via Accela
Hillsborough County uses the Accela Citizen Access portal. Apply for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits online. Simple permits (re-roof, HVAC, water heater) often approved within 3-7 days.
4
Separate permits for each trade
Budget and coordinate for separate building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. All must be finaled before the master building permit closes.
5
Pool barrier fence is mandatory
Florida law requires pool barrier fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates. Plans must be approved as part of the pool permit. Cannot be finaled without fence inspection passing.
6
Wind mitigation after roofing
Schedule a wind mitigation inspection immediately after roof replacement. Tampa Bay's insurance market is among the most expensive in the US - this report can save $1,500-$4,000 per year.
Jurisdictions within Hillsborough County, Florida
Special zone requirements
Wind-Borne Debris Region
Most of county
Impact-rated openings required. FL Product Approval needed (not HVHZ level).
Hurricane Storm Surge Zones A-E
Coastal areas, Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay
Post-Milton: Zone A has highest risk. Properties in surge zones face flood elevation requirements and Substantial Improvement rule triggers.
FEMA Flood Zones AE/VE
Extensive along bay shorelines and low-lying areas
Elevation certificates required. Many properties in Hillsborough added to flood zones post-Milton.
Frequently asked questions — Hillsborough County, Florida
How did Hurricane Milton affect building permits in Hillsborough?
Hurricane Milton (October 2024) caused significant storm surge damage in coastal Hillsborough County. The county has fast-tracked emergency permits for storm damage repairs. However, properties where total damage exceeds 50% of pre-storm value must be brought into full current code compliance before permits are issued, including elevating to current flood elevation requirements.
Is Brandon in the City of Tampa or Hillsborough County?
Brandon is in unincorporated Hillsborough County - not the City of Tampa. Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, and Carrollwood are all unincorporated areas that use the Hillsborough County building department, not the City of Tampa's building department.
What is the fastest permit type to get approved in Hillsborough?
Simple trade permits - HVAC replacement, water heater, electrical panel upgrade - are typically approved online within 3-7 business days. Re-roofing permits for standard residential are also fast. New construction and room additions take 4-8 weeks for plan review.
Do Tampa pools require extra permits?
Yes. A swimming pool requires a building permit plus separate electrical and plumbing sub-permits. A barrier fence permit must also be applied for and approved. The pool cannot receive a final inspection until the fence inspection passes - even if construction is complete.
Hillsborough County 2024 · US Census Bureau BPS · Florida Building Commission