Florida House Bill 803 (HB 803, 2026) will take effect on July 1, 2026. It establishes two new building permit exemptions for single-family residential properties. It also requires that the property owner or the owner's contractor must submit a written request for exemption. The Building Division has created a process to allow for the submittal of exemption requests, which will become active on July 1. See below for information on both exemptions as well as instructions on how to submit an exemption request under one of the two exemptions on or after July 1 2026. 

Exemption 1: Minor Residential Work Valued at Less Than $7,500

HB 803 provides for an exemption for the property owner or property owner's contractor to perform work on a single-family dwelling if the value of the work is less than $7,500. However, there are significant limitations on this exemption.

The following scopes of work are not eligible for the exemption and still require a permit regardless of cost:

• Structural
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Plumbing
• Gas
• Fences and Driveways - HB 803 relates to the building code, as it amends FSS Chapter 553 Florida Construction Standards. The City requirement for fence and driveway permits is not caused by or derived from the building code but is required based exclusively on the City's Zoning code which regulates the allowed fence height, type, and setbacks/proposed locations and driveway location, material and square footage. As HB 803 does not alter or amend or nullify the City's Zoning codes, fence and driveway permits are still required. 
• Any work on a property located partially or entirely within a flood hazard area.
  
  

No project phasing or splitting

A construction project may not be divided into two or more smaller projects for the purpose of staying under the $7,500 threshold to qualify for the exemption. 

Exemption 2: Voluntary Temporary Flood Panel and Barrier Installation

The installation of temporary residential hurricane and flood protection walls or barriers for a single-family dwelling are exempt from the requirement to obtain a building permit if all of the following conditions are met: 

• The wall or barrier is nonhabitable and non-load-bearing. 
• The wall or barrier is installed on the residential property of a single-family or two-family dwelling or townhouse.
• The wall or barrier is constructed to mitigate or prevent storm surge or floodwaters from entering a structure or property.
• The wall or barrier is installed by a contractor licensed under Part I of FSS Chapter 489.
• The wall or barrier complies with applicable local zoning, drainage, easement, and setback requirements.

How to Submit an Exemption Request

After July 1st, to qualify for either of the above exemptions the owner or the owner's contractor must submit a written request for exemption to the Building division with a copy of the contract or other documentation demonstrating the nature and the value of work to be performed. 

We have created a new permit type in our Civic Access portal called Permit Exemption Request. Any property owner or owner's contractor who wishes to request an exemption under one of the two exemptions listed above must complete a Permit Exemption Affidavit (which will be available on our Forms and Documents page) and upload it into the Permit Exemption Request application in our online Civic Access portal. 

Staff will review the exemption request. If approved, the City will issue a document to you verifying your approval to commence your proposed scope of work without a permit.

If your exemption request is denied, a permit will be required for your proposed scope of work. This permit would be required to be applied for separately in our Civic Access portal under the correct permit type for your proposed scope of work. 

Permitting Changes with EPL(PDF, 104KB) explains some of the differences between our old software, eGovPlus/CommunityPlus and our new software, EPL.

• For contractor registration or registration updates, or for recorded Notices of Commencement (NOC) submission, please email those documents to us at ds@wpb.org. Please allow at least one (1) business day for processing. 
• The NOC must be recorded in County Official Records. This can be done at the Palm Beach County Recording Department located at the County Courthouse at 205 North Dixie Highway (4th Floor), West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561-355-2991).
• After the NOC is recorded, include the permit number in the subject of the email and attach a PDF copy of the recorded NOC and email it to ds@wpb.org. 

To register as a contractor, send an email to ds@wpb.org with copies of the following:

• Your State license or County competency license.
• Your valid local business tax receipt from the City or County your business is located/domiciled in.
• Your certificate(s) of insurance for both general liability and worker's compensation.
  • Must have the City as the certificate holder with the correct address of - City of West Palm Beach, 401 Clematis St West Palm Beach, F 33401.
• If you are worker's compensation exempt a copy of the exemption is required.
• The best phone number and email address for your company in the event we need to contact your office.

An associate will confirm receipt of registration. Please allow at least 1-2 business days for processing.

Permits for Smaller/Residential work scopes are generally quicker than Larger/Commercial work scopes. If the submitted documents are code-compliant, a residential remodel permit can be issued in approximately 3 weeks and a commercial remodel permit in approximately 5 weeks. If the submitted documents are not code-compliant, then plan review comments must be posted, and the timeline is affected by how long the customer takes to resubmit documents to address those comments.

Yes, a shed must meet Zoning setbacks, and must resist wind loads in a hurricane.

Yes, a permit is required for replacing windows and doors. The selected products must meet the wind loads experienced in West Palm Beach, and must be installed in accordance with manufacturer product approval documents.

Replacing flooring in an apartment or condo does require a permit. For a house, replacing flooring and painting does not require a permit.

For accurate fee estimates, go to the Civic Access permitting portal, select Fee Estimator, then select Estimate Permit Fees. For a quick assessment of minimum fees right here, excluding any Fire Department or Zoning fees as they are not applicable to all projects, the minimum combined plan review and permit fee is $105 for a project value of up to $1,000. The fee increases to $130 for a project value of up to $2,500. It then increases with project value. For example, the combined plan review and permit fee is $580 for a project value of $20,000.

Yes, if the property is not titled through a company, and you are not currently renting the property and do not sell or rent the property for a minimum of one year after completing the work, you can obtain a permit under the Owner-Builder exemption. Per Florida Statutes, you must appear in person before permit issuance at City Hall at 401 Clematis St to sign the permit application form and Owner-Builder affidavit. If you are not going to perform the work yourself you must hire appropriately licensed contractors. 

If you cannot submit your permit application online, please call (561) 805-6700 (press 2 then 0 to speak to a staff member) for assistance. If staff cannot assist you through the phone call, you can come to our office at City Hall located at 401 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

If you do work that requires a permit without first obtaining a permit, you will be required to get a permit to remove the work, or you will have to pay a penalty fee of 4 times the regular permit fee to obtain a permit for the work. An unpermitted work case will be opened and will be taken to Special Magistrate hearing if you do not apply for and obtain the permit to bring the property into compliance. The Special Magistrate can assess fines that accrue daily until the property is brought into compliance. The fine can get recorded as a lien, and the case may make it difficult to sell or refinance the property.

Go to the Civic Access permitting portal and search by permit number (the most accurate way) or by property address.

• To find your plan review comments, first go to and log in to the Civic Access portal.
• Using the Search button in the menu bar, type in your permit number and search.
• Once the search results come up, find and click on your permit number in blue to navigate to your permit record
• Once in your permit record, click on the Reviews tab.
• If you have questions about the plan review comments, it is best that you contact your plan reviewer directly. The portal has an email icon next to the reviewer's name, but the name, phone, and email address of your plan reviewer should always be left in the comments themselves for you to see.
• You can also check the status of your permit by emailing us at ds@wpb.org. Put your permit number in the subject line of the email. An associate will respond to you as soon as possible. 

The best and fastest way is to use the Civic Access portal. 

• Starting at 7:30AM, visit our online Civic Access portal and log in.
• Navigate to the "Today's Inspections" button in the menu bar at the top.
• Find your permit or inspection number.
• Once you've located your inspection from the list, look for the "Primary Inspector" and "Inspector Phone Number" columns - you can call your inspector directly for a two-hour time frame.
• If you are having trouble, you can call us at 561-805-6700 starting at 8:00AM. 
• Landscape inspections should be requested through the Civic Access portal. Please note that the date and time entered is a request date/time. The inspection will be scheduled based on the inspector’s availability.

   

In our new system we customized each permit type to usually only carry only the inspections that are required. However, some permit types can be used for a wide-ranging scope of work and the inspections are therefore also varied. If you are unsure of what inspection type is needed and/or you don't see the inspection you want available to select from within your permit record, it is recommended that you contact your contractor or the Chief Inspector of that trade. 

• Building - Chief Richard Brunelle: 561-805-6670
• Mechanical - Chief Chris Montello: 561-805-6732
• Electrical - Acting Chief Jay Cooley: 561-805-6742
• Plumbing - Chief Ryan Brown: 561-805-6692

No, we do not have a roofing affidavit or roof package. However, we understand that roofing is impacted by unpredictable weather conditions, and is necessary for safety and the protection of your possessions. Once you have an approved roofing permit, prior to starting work, you can do the following to ensure you pass your inspections and close your permit properly:

• Schedule a Building Miscellaneous inspection type prior to starting work and meet your inspector to discuss expectations on the required inspections. The inspector will advise you if an affidavit and pictures would be allowed. 
• You can call the Building Chief Inspector to discuss your roofing project. The Chief will advise you on the expectations on the required inspections for your permit. 
• Upon issuance of an approved permit, you begin work and, due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, you can't call in the required inspections at that time. That may include but not be limited to Roof Framing, Roof Metal/Tin Tag, Roof Sheathing, Roofing in Progress, or a Final inspection. As a best practice, take lots of pictures. Call in the required inspections as soon as possible and be prepared to provide your inspector with the pictures and Roofing Affidavit from Palm Beach County. Ultimately, it will be at the discretion of your building inspector to pass or fail any inspections. 

• Email us your CO, TCO, or CC request to ds@wpb.org.
• Include "CO Request", "TCO Request", or "CC Request" in the subject line of the email.
• In the body of the email include the master permit number, address, and contact information. 
• An associate will review your email and contact you. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response. 

To request an extension on a permit or permit application you must submit a signed letter addressed to the building official explaining why the project is not proceeding at this time, and when you expect to be in a position to move the project forward.

Your primary contact for questions or information regarding expired permits on your property is our shared email account expiredpermits@wpb.org. 

How to close an old or expired permit

To start the process for closing an old or expired permit we require a signed letter. This letter must include the address, permit number, and the reason for requesting to close the permit. This letter must also answer the following question: Was the scope of work for this permit completed, or was it not completed? This letter must be signed by either the current property owner or the qualifier (license holder) of the contractor of record of the permit. This letter must be attached to an email sent to expiredpermits@wpb.org. 

After staff receive your letter, your permit situation will be evaluated. Please read the five possible scenarios below so that you know which one is applicable and you can reduce the time needed to get the permit closed.  

The process for closing an old or expired permit

A permit application (meaning, a permit that was never issued) will become Abandoned if 180 consecutive days (6 months) have elapsed with no activity on the part of the owner or the owner's contractor to continue the application. 

An issued permit will become Expired if 180 consecutive days (6 months) have elapsed from the Issue Date without a passed or partially passed inspection. 

The most important factors in evaluating your old or expired permit is 1) whether or not the scope of work was started or completed and 2) whether the permit you are trying to close was ever issued or not. If it was issued, it's now Expired. If the permit application was never issued, it's now Abandoned.

There are five possible scenarios as described below. Each request to close an expired or abandoned permit must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and additional requirements may apply. 

If the permit was issued more than six years ago and work was completed, but the permit was never closed out

Upon receiving the signed letter, we will have an inspector go to the property and confirm that they do not see any apparent safety hazard associated with the work. Once that is confirmed, per Section 553.79(16)(c), Florida Statutes, the permit will be Canceled. 

If the permit was issued less than six years ago and the work was completed, but the permit was never closed out

Upon receiving the signed letter, we will require payment of a Renewal fee of $75 to renew the expired permit. Any remaining required inspections must then be scheduled and passed. The original permit documents and permit card must be printed and onsite for the remaining inspections. All permits require a passed Final inspection in order for the permit to properly close as Complete. Some permits require multiple Final inspections. 

If the original contractor of record is no longer affiliated with the project, then a Change of Contractor request must be submitted to ds@wpb.org. A Change of Contractor request carries a separate $100 fee. After the new contractor has taken over the permit we will provide you with copies of the original stamped plans, as well as a revised permit card. A new notice of commencement (NOC) will need to be recorded in County Official Records. Then the required inspections must be scheduled and passed. 

If the permit was issued and the work did not commence

Upon receiving the signed letter, staff will schedule a Cancelation Inspection. We will send an inspector out to the property to verify that the work did not commence. Once confirmed, the permit will be Canceled.

If the inspector determines that the work did start, then the Cancelation inspection will fail and the permit will remain open. Staff will discuss next steps with you. 

If the permit application was never issued and the work was completed

Upon receiving the signed letter, staff will determine that the work was completed without the required permits and inspections. Because the original permit application is Abandoned, a new permit application will be required to be submitted in our Civic Access portal. The new permit application must go through the permit process this time and be approved and issued and the required inspections scheduled and passed, including all Final inspections, in order to close the permit as Complete. Once the new permit is closed, staff will administratively cancel the original Abandoned permit application as having been replaced by the new permit.  

If the permit application was never issued and the work did not commence

Upon receiving the signed letter, staff will schedule a Cancelation Inspection on the Abandoned permit application. We will send an inspector out to the property to verify that the work did not commence. Once confirmed, the permit will be Canceled.

If the inspector determines that the work did start, then the Cancelation inspection will fail and the permit will remain open. A new permit application will be required to be submitted for the work that was completed. 

• If you have questions about how to comply with the Stop Work Order it is best that you directly contact the inspector who issued you the order. However, as a backup you can also reach out to ds@wpb.org and staff will assist. 
• Include your property address in the subject line of any email, as well as your name and phone number. Even better, attach a picture or PDF copy of the Stop Work Order you received. 
• OR, you can visit us at City Hall at 401 N. Clematis St West Palm Beach, FL 33401. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We experience longer wait times during the lunch "hour" from approximately 11:30 AM to about 2:30 PM. 
• Keep in mind that even if you didn't do the work, or the work was done prior to you purchasing the property, as the current property owner you are still responsible for the permit. Work that has commenced without a permit could be subject to a penalty fee. Not complying with the Stop Work Order could result in further penalties in the future and a possible lien on your property. We will review your specific situation at the time you contact us and come up with a solution to comply. 

On May 27^th, 2025, the City of West Palm Beach adopted Ordinance 5130-25, which established a Mobility Fee for Downtown based on mobility projects from its adopted 2018 Mobility Plan and updates to the 2025 Downtown Mobility Plan.

Mobility fee(s) are assessed at application for a building permit or change of occupancy and are payable prior to issuance of a building permit or approval of a change of occupancy after staff review of the application.

For more information please visit the City of West of Palm Beach Mobility Fee page by clicking here.