When are Polk County building permits necessary? You might wonder if you need to obtain a building permit to work on your own house, or what kinds of projects require a permit. Well, it is not always needed, but when it is, it’s for the good of the community. Obtaining a Polk County permit means that building inspectors have reviewed your plans to make sure that they meet building codes for your safety and the safety of others.
When Do I Need a Building Permit?
Whether you’re building a shed or planning renovations, we can answer your questions about Polk County permitting. For an extensive list of projects that require permits, please visit our permitting page.
You do not need a permit for simple jobs, such as:
- Screen replacements
- Minor roof repairs
- Interior remodels or renovations
- Minor electrical, plumbing or interior repairs
You do need a permit for:
- Construction or demolition of any structure, regardless of size
- Pre-manufactured storage buildings, residential buildings, and commercial buildings
- Commercial and residential docks, piers, sea walls, boathouses, bulkheads and boat ramps
- Conversion of any non-habitable space to habitable space, including the enclosure of garages, carports, porches or similar structures
- In-ground swimming pools and spas, above-ground swimming pools and spas more than 24 inches deep
- Decks, walkways, platforms, stairs and landings
Do I Need a Permit to Build a Shed?
Here, are answers to some of your frequently asked questions about building permits in Polk County.
Do I need a permit to build a shed? Yes. A building permit is required to construct a building or structure. This includes sheds, decks and fences more than eight feet high.
Does Polk County perform virtual inspections? Yes. More information about virtual inspections and how to schedule one can be found on our inspections page.
Are there building and permitting construction fees? Yes. All construction permitting fees are due at the time the permit is issued.
Where can I find previously issued Polk County permits? Polk County permit search allows you to view historical building permits dating back 15 years. For permits from 2010 to current, you can visit the Polk County Accela Citizen Portal.
Why You Need a Building Permit.
A building permit is like insurance for your project. By having the county’s professionals review your plans or your contractor’s plans, you’re able to make sure that you’re not missing anything. Ultimately, this will help keep your project on track. Working without a permit on a project that requires one is a gamble. If you’re caught, you will need to undo the work you’ve done and there may be a fine, as well. This is why you need a building permit?
The good news is that building inspectors understand you want to get things done as soon as possible. So they try to work within your planned schedule. You also can do a lot of inspection work virtually by visiting our inspections page.
To obtain a Polk County building permit, please fill out an application online and complete the steps for permitting.
All information about Polk County permitting, including when a permit is required, the steps to receive a permit, building and construction permitting fees, transportation zones and more can be found on our permitting page.