Guide to Permitting and Inspections

The Building Services Division issues permits, per Florida Building Code.

You may view the current Code online at http://www.floridabuilding.org. You may also view the Cities adopted Administrative Construction Code, which is our amended Chapter One, of the Florida Building Code.

Permit Applications

All the forms and applications needed for the Building Services Division are found at the Applications and Forms link, on the front page of the City Web Site. Each permit application includes pertinent information about the permitting requirements for that type of permit. Be sure to contact the Division directly for questions.

Owner/Builder

If you own and occupy a one or two family house you may be eligible to act as your own contractor per State Statute (489.103(7). As an owner builder though, if you do not complete all of the work yourself, you must supervise the work, and hire licensed trade subcontractors (electrician, plumbing, a/c, and roof) in accordance with state law. Owners acting as their own contractor are required to personally appear for all permitting, provide proof that the property is properly insured and be present for all inspections. All the requirements are found on the Owner Builder Affidavit.

If you live in a condominium you need a contractor. See our Notice to Condominium Owners.

Permit Completion is Required

The contractor or owner/builder that obtains the permit is responsible for completing the permit and obtaining the Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy. Failure to do so will cause additional fees.

Make sure that all inspections are completed, in the correct order.
Submit required documents for review.
Pay any fees due.

Notice of Commencement

A Notice of Commencement must be recorded at the Collier County Clerk of Courts for any work valued over $2,500.00 ($7,500.00 for mechanical permits). See next item, regarding the Florida Lien Law.

Florida Lien Law

According to Florida law, those who work on your property or provide materials, and are not paid-in-full, have a right to enforce their claim for payment against your property. This claim is known as a construction lien. If your contractor fails to pay subcontractors or material suppliers, the people who are owed money may look to your property for payment, even if you have paid your contractor in full. This means that if a lien is filed against your property, your property could be sold against your will to pay for labor, materials, or other services which your contractor may have failed to pay. This document provides information regarding Florida Statute 713, Part 1, as it pertains to home construction and remodeling, and provides tips on how you can avoid construction liens on your property. For more information see the Florida Lien Law Pamphlet.

Scheduling Inspections

Inspection Requests are called into the Inspector's Voice Mails prior to 7 pm the day before inspection day.
Inspection Requests may be scheduled online via the Citizen Self Service Portal prior to 7pm the day before inspection day.
The Building Inspectors normally leave the office to perform inspections by 8am.
Provide the following information: Permit Number, Inspection Type, Job Site Address, Return Phone Number, and access instructions,

Timed inspections are not generally available and need to be arranged directly with the inspector; on a needs basis and as time permits.

Inspectors Phone Numbers

Building Inspections: Call before 7 pm the day before inspection day. Timed inspections must be coordinated directly with the inspector.
(239)389-5055 - Plumbing, Mechanical, Residential LP Gas, Irrigation & Solar Heating
(239)389-5056 - Structural, Roofing, Signs, Fences
(239)389-5057 - Electric, Marine Electric, and Electric Signs
Fire Inspections: Call before 5 pm the day before the inspection is needed.
(239)394-5405 - Fire Sprinkler Systems, Fire Alarms, Fire Penetrations & Commercial Gas
Public Works: Call before 7 am the day of inspection. Allow 72 hours for inspection completion.
(239)389-3929 - Right of Way inspections.
Inspection Cards must be readily available onsite for the inspector to sign off.

Checking Inspection Results

Inspection Results are available online at the Citizen Self Service Portal.
Provide a valid email to one of the permit clerks, for automated email of inspection results.
Inspection results can be obtained by phoning a permit clerk.

Citizen Access Portal

The Citizen Self Service Portal is a real-time database of permit and inspection data. Registered users, who are valid contacts on a permit, have additional interactive capabilities for that permit when they are logged in.

Because of the formatting differences between our Legacy data, from our former permit software, and our new EnerGov software, there is a specific method you must use to perform accurate searches.