Permits - Frequently Asked Questions

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 do not plan to sell or rent the property within a year of completing the work, you can obtain a permit as an Owner-Builder. Per Florida Statute, you must appear at our office in-person before permit issuance, and you must only hire appropriately licensed contractors if you are not going to perform the work yourself.

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.

To ask questions or obtain information about an open or Expired permit on your property, email us at expiredpermits@wpb.org.

• In the subject line of the email, include your property address.
• In the body of the email, please make sure to include your name and phone number and a list of any and all permits you wish to have addressed.
• A team member will review your property permit history and get back to you with next steps. Please allow 2-4 business days for a response. 
• There isn't one way to close an open or expired permit. In some cases there will be a fee to reissue the permit as well as a required inspection. 
• If you are selling your home, it's best to notify us early so we can resolve the open/expired permit on your property prior to your closing. 

• 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.