Sarasota County, FL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

1, Permitting Requirement, part of Sarasota County Code Section 22-34. Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building, or to erect, install, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, must first apply to the Building Official and obtain the permit before starting. The code lists narrow, specific exceptions: portable heating, ventilation, cooling, or evaporative-cooling equipment; certain small self-contained refrigeration units of ten pounds of refrigerant or less; stopping simple pipe leaks that do not require replacing concealed piping; and 'work or operation of a casual, minor or inconsequential nature' where the total labor-and-materials contract price is under $1,000, so long as the work is not part of a larger project split up to dodge the permit requirement.

' A permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within six months of issuance or is suspended for six months once started, and lapses entirely if not completed within three years, though the Building Official can grant one 90-day extension in writing (Sec. 1). Fees are set by Board of County Commissioners resolution and must be paid before the permit issues (Sec. 1), and anyone who starts work before pulling the required permit pays an additional fee on top of the normal permit cost (Sec.

2). Nonresidential farm buildings and other structures exempt from a building permit still need a zoning permit confirming compliance with setback, lot coverage, and use rules (Sec. 1).