Q: What types of development are required to obtain a permit?
A: Please refer to the Land Development Code or the LDC FAQ.
Q: Where do I apply for development permit?
A: Please contact the Land Development Division at 863-534-6792, for permit processes, fees, and forms.
Q: Is a review checklist available for the preparation of construction plans and calculations for roadways and drainage, parking lots, and storm water management facilities?
A: Yes. Please contact the Land Development Division at 863-534-6792.
Q: Where do I obtain information regarding designating an existing public road, private?
A: A request to designate existing public roads to private roads is evaluated by Transportation Engineering. Approval by the Board of County Commissioners is required. For more information on the process, call Transportation Engineering Division at 863-534- 6700.
Q: Where do I obtain information on a development under construction?
A: Construction of a development is inspected by inspectors of the Land Development Division. Inspection includes subdivision roads, drainage, parking lots and commercial driveways. For more information call 863-534-6449.
Q: What work does and does not require a permit?
A: Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code states that a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes.
Work that requires an inspection to verify compliance with the applicable technical code requires a construction permit.
Separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits may be required even if a building permit is not required. Following are examples of work that does and does not require a permit. These examples are not all inclusive, and there will be situations that are not addressed here. If you have a question as to permit requirements, call our Bartow office at 863-534-6080 and ask to speak with a plans examiner.
Work Requiring a Construction Permit
- Construction or demolition of any building or structure, regardless of size.
- All new construction, including additions, and any alterations, renovations or remodels involving structural elements or involving any electrical, plumbing, fuel gas, fire systems, pollutant storage tanks, on-site underground utilities, signs or mechanical systems.
- Alterations, renovations, remodels or modifications to any commercial structure affecting occupancy classification, means of egress, fire resistance ratings or handicap accessibility.
- The installation, alteration, replacement, extension, or repair of any irrigation, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work, fuel gas, fire systems, solar systems or any associated electrical work (low voltage). Including the change out of A/C equipment, electrical service changes, or the addition of electrical outlets or circuits.
- Conversion of any non habitable space to habitable space including the enclosure of garages, carports, porches or similar structures, and the replacement of screening or vinyl windows with glass or solid walls.
- Screening of any space, which requires structural or infill framing to be added.
- Although bonafide non-residential agricultural structures are not required to comply with the building codes, a "farm building permit" is required for land use, fire code enforcement and State & Federal regulations.
- All foundation remediation work to assure that an engineer is overseeing the work.
- Any change in occupancy as defined by the building code.
- Commercial and residential docks, piers, sea walls, boathouses, bulkheads and boat ramps.
- All masonry walls and fences with masonry pilasters. All solid fences over eight feet high.
- Retaining walls required for structural support, protection or erosion.
- All concrete slabs on grade greater than 100 square feet in area, and within 10 feet of the home or principal structure, or intended as a slab for construction. Including sidewalks and portions of driveways in the right of way or in required minimum setbacks. All elevated concrete slabs. All slabs must meet setbacks from property lines, easements and LDC drainage requirements.
- Tents for public assembly or use, or having electrical service.
- Additions, repairs, alterations or accessory structures to mobile homes or park trailers. Owners of a mobile home or park trailer situated on a rented lot will not be able to permit either additions or set ups as owner builders without notarized landowner consent.
- Mobile home and park trailer set-ups. Owners of a mobile home or park trailer situated on a rented lot will not be able to permit either additions or set ups as owner builders without notarized landowner consent.
- In ground swimming pools and spas. Above ground swimming pools and spas more than 24" deep.
- Pool/spa repairs, renovations, demolitions and remodels involving structural elements, electrical work or additional equipment.
- All re-roofing, including mobile homes and park trailers, and including installation of insulated roof coverings.
- Decks, walkways, platforms, stairs and landings. All decks and platforms must meet setbacks and easements.
- All carports or similar structures with rigid roofs.
- All flagpole foundations and poles greater than 50 feet high.
- Replacement of skylights, windows and doors, including garage doors.
- Installation or replacement of vinyl or acrylic windows.
- Plumbing re-pipes and water heater change outs.
- Installation or replacement of security bars or permanently installed window and door shutters.
- Siding
- Soffits Handicap ramps for one or two family residences require a permit and must meet setbacks.
Work Not Requiring A Construction Permit
- Minor roof repairs - less than 25 square feet.
- Replacement of screening with like material in an existing structure.
- Interior remodels, interior renovations, or interior repairs on ANSI units or RVs.
- Retaining walls for landscaping purposes only not exceeding four feet high.
- Minor electrical, plumbing, mechanical repairs.
- Chain link fences of any height and stockade fences up to eight feet high. Check Polk County Land Development Code for prohibited materials for fencing.
- Structures intended for storage use only (prefabricated and of a "Closet" use). You may "reach in" only, not "walk-in." These exempt structures are limited to a max. 5 ft. height (mean height), 50 sq. ft. max. area and a max. 250 cubic ft. with no electrical or plumbing.
If you are still unsure as to whether or not a permit is required, please call (863)534-6080 and ask to speak to a Plans Examiner. Revised 12/2009)
Q: How long is a permit valid and how can they be extended or renewed?
A: Section 104.5 of the building code states that work must start within six months of permit issue and the job must have received an approved inspection in the last 180 days for the permit to remain valid.
A permit may be extended for up to 180 days by requesting an extension prior to the expiration date. The request must be in writing and give justifiable cause.
Permits which have been expired for 90 days or less can be renewed by requesting renewal, in writing, and giving justifiable cause. An extension fee as provided for in the County user fee manual will be charged.
Permits which have been expired from 91 to 180 days can be renewed by requesting renewal, in writing, and giving justifiable cause. All applicable construction permit fees, as paid at original permit issue, will be charged. This is to include building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, driveway, irrigation and mobile home set up permit fees.
Permits expired for over 180 days cannot be renewed. A new permit application, payment of all permit fees and compliance with all current codes and regulations will be required.
A backlog of expired permits may result in suspension of permitting privileges until they have been re-opened and final inspections have been approved.
Q: What is the status of my permit?
A: To view the status of a permit at any time, please visit our "Project/Permit and Contractor License Status Viewer" by pressing the blue icon located on the lower left corner of the County's home page, or by clicking the "Permit/Project Status Viewer" link in the green area to the left of this page, or by clicking this link.
You may also check permit status by calling any of the County's Building Division locations.
Q: Must I provide engineering for a permit to build a storage building accessory to my single family residence?
A: No, if you are going to build it yourself, as an owner/builder, we have engineered master plans for storage buildings in varying sizes and construction types that we will provide to you at no charge. Changes to the plans will not be accepted and you must personally appear to pull the permit as an owner/builder. If you have any questions, call 534-6080 and ask to speak to a plans examiner.
Q: Where do I obtain residential driveway permit?
A: A residential driveway permit is processed at the Building Inspections Division. For more information, call 863-534-6080.
Q: Where do I obtain a non-residential driveway permit?
A: Access permit or non-residential driveway permits are processed in accordance with the Land Development Code (LDC, Ordinance No. 00-09). The Land Development Division provides technical review of the construction plans. For more information on permitting process under the LDC, call Land Development Division, at 863-534-6792.
Q: I got a letter in the mail notifying me of land use changes and or about a public hearing for a development in my area. I'm not sure what it means. How do the changes or development affect me directly?
A: Letters are sent out when there is going to be a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) to the land uses in your area, or if there is a public hearing happening for a development located in your area. To obtain more information, please contact the Planner-On-Call service by phone at 863-534-6084, or by email at planneroncall@polk-county.net. Please provide the case number listed on your letter and your 18 digit parcel identification number to help the Planner-On-Call assist you better.
For all other questions please contact the Growth Management Customer Service Area by email, phone (863-534-6084); or fax (863-534-6021). The office hours are Monday-Friday between 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (excluding holidays).