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

Section 8-19 states the article's intent: proper administration and enforcement of construction and maintenance of structures for public safety, health and general welfare, applying throughout the county outside incorporated municipalities. Section 8-20 declares that the county is required by state law to use the Florida Building Code, and readopts the 1994 Standard Housing Code and 1985 Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code as secondary references, with the Florida Building Code controlling wherever they conflict. Section 8-21 then carves out three narrow, homeowner-only exemptions from the permit and inspection requirement, using authority in FBC Section 102.2.5: detached residential accessory buildings that are one story, under 12 feet to the ridge, no more than 150 square feet, freestanding and not for human habitation still need a zoning permit; wood decks under 150 square feet, less than 30 inches above grade, without a roof or a concentrated load like a hot tub, also still need a zoning permit; and covered entry porches up to 36 square feet that are unenclosed and structurally independent of the house likewise still need one.

Section 8-21(c)-(d) also amends FBC Sections 104 and 114 locally, giving the building official authority to interpret the code, issue notices of violation, and refer uncorrected violations for prosecution, with penalties as otherwise prescribed by law. Everything outside these three narrow exemptions, additions, new houses, garages, pools, roofing, electrical and other structural work, requires a full building permit, plans review and inspection from the county building department before work starts.