Building permits in Manatee County, Florida
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Manatee County, 2 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Manatee County
Manatee County Development Services Department, Building Division (Permitting Section)
- 9000 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
- Phone: (941) 748-4501 ext. 3800
- Email: permitting@mymanatee.org
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Manatee County
Manatee County permit records are public, and you can check a property's permit history by address or permit number online.
What needs a permit in Manatee County
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Manatee County, 2 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | All attached decks require a building permit regardless of size. A detached deck requires a permit if it is over 30 inches high or over 120 square feet; a detached deck under 30 inches high and under 120 square feet does not require a permit. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Any alteration of electrical wiring requires a permit. Residential low voltage (wired or wireless) work does not require a permit unless its cost exceeds $5,000 within any 12-month period. Repair or replacement of a wall switch or outlet device rated 20 amps and 120 volts or less does not require a permit. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Masonry fences, walls, and columns (residential and commercial) always require a building permit. Non-structural residential fences such as wood, chain link, and vinyl are exempt from a building permit when located on a one or two family lot that is not in a flood hazard area. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Replacement and new installation of air conditioners and ductwork require a mechanical permit. Replacement of a window air conditioning unit, and portable heating or cooling appliances, do not require a permit. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | A non-structural concrete or paver patio does not require a building permit. A concrete slab with footers requires a permit. | Not published |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | New plumbing work such as re-piping, a new water service, a new or replacement sewer, and most water heater replacements require a permit. An electric to electric water heater changeout of the same size in the same location, and replacement of a plumbing fixture such as a toilet or faucet where no rough plumbing is changed, do not require a permit. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Swimming pools require a building permit, including above ground pools that exceed 24 inches in height. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | A prefabricated shed used as a tool/storage shed or playhouse is exempt from a building permit if its floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and it is not over 8 feet high, measured from mean roof height; zoning and flood regulations still apply regardless. Sheds exceeding that size, or not used for tool/storage/playhouse purposes, require a permit. | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Manatee County Development Services Building Fee Schedule, effective 04/01/2023... |
Planning a project in Manatee County?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project
Schedule an inspection in Manatee County
Permitted work is not finished until it passes inspection. Schedule inspections by calling the Building Inspections Section at (941) 742-4190, or request a virtual inspection through the VuSpex app linked from the Accela Online Services portal..
Schedule or request a Manatee County inspection
When the portal will not take the date you need, the office still books by phone: (941) 748-4501 ext. 3800.
Checked . If the office has changed its process, report it.