Building permits in Sarasota County, Florida
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Sarasota County, 6 need a permit outright and 4 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 Sarasota County
Building Division, Sarasota County Planning and Development Services (PDS)
- PDS One Stop, 870 Apex Road, Sarasota, FL 34240; also R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293
- Phone: 941-861-5000
- Email: building@scgov.net
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
Look up a permit in Sarasota County
Sarasota County permit records are public, and you can check a property's permit history by address or parcel number online.
What needs a permit in Sarasota County
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Sarasota County, 6 need a permit outright and 4 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | A permit is required to construct a raised residential deck (one with footings) and for all decks on commercial property; no permit is required for a residential deck placed directly on grade without footings, in any material. |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified |
| Fence Permit | It depends | A chain link, wood, or vinyl fence does not need a building permit when it meets the county's standards for height, placement, and finished side facing the neighbor or right-of-way; fences and walls that do not meet those standards require a permit. A permit is also required when the property is in a flood zone or the fence is part of a larger project scope. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified |
| Patio Permit | It depends | No permit is required for a residential patio placed directly on grade without footings, in any material; a permit is required for patios that involve footings, are part of a larger project scope, or are on commercial or multi-family property. |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | A building permit is not required for repair of a small, incidental roof leak limited to one roofing square and $500 or less in cost; a permit is required for roof replacement and for repair or replacement of structural roof components such as sheathing. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | Plastic or rubber storage containers less than 7 feet tall and less than 65 square feet that meet any applicable setback requirements do not need a building permit; all other storage or utility sheds require a permit. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified |
Planning a project in Sarasota 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 Sarasota County
Permitted work is not finished until it passes inspection. Inspections are scheduled online through the Accela portal or by phone via the IVR system at 941-861-6441 (available in Spanish); the Inspections Hotline for questions is 941-861-3271 or 941-861-3273. Select storm-related permits can also use VuSpex virtual inspections for eligible work types..
Schedule or request a Sarasota County inspection
When the portal will not take the date you need, the office still books by phone: 941-861-5000.
Checked . If the office has changed its process, report it.