Sanford, FL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Sec. 18-2 of the Sanford City Code amends the Florida Building Code's administrative chapter for local enforcement, and Sec. 105.1 sets the core permit trigger: any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace impact-resistant coverings or an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit before work begins. The same section bars the building official from issuing any new permit to an owner, agent or contractor who has an expired permit, has performed unpermitted work, or has otherwise violated the Code anywhere in the city until that earlier violation is corrected.

A narrow list of work is exempt under Sec. 105.2, including painting, wallpapering and similar finish work, above-ground prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons, water tanks under 5,000 gallons, and playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family home. Applications are reviewed by the building official, and Sec. 105.3.4 requires a single-family residential permit to be issued within 30 working days unless unusual circumstances or code deficiencies justify a longer review. Once issued, a permit becomes invalid under Sec. 105.5 if work is not started, or is suspended, for 180 days, though the building official may grant extensions of up to 90 days for justifiable cause. Sec. 109.4 penalizes starting work before permit issuance with a 100 percent administrative surcharge on the usual fee.