Broward County, FL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 9-21
- Scope
- Countywide, all 31 municipalities
- Required for permit
- Competency certificate + workers' comp
- Local ID fee
- Prohibited by Sec. 9-21(b)
- First-violation fine
- $250 (Sec. 9-28)
Summary
Broward County will only issue a building permit to a contractor holding a current state or county certificate of competency, proof of workers' compensation coverage, and a paid business tax receipt: a countywide rule binding all 31 municipalities.
Unless exempted under Section 9-26(b) of the Code, applications for building permits will be accepted only from persons holding an appropriate current active state of Florida certificate of competency or a current active certificate of competency issued by the board, who have paid all necessary business taxes in their respective trades or occupations, as required by law, who provide the appropriate business tax receipt(s), and who provide evidence of workers' compensation coverage pursuant to Chapter 440, Florida Statutes, as amended...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward County Code Section 9-21(a) bars accepting a building permit application from anyone who lacks 'an appropriate current active state of Florida certificate of competency or a current active certificate of competency issued by the board,' unpaid business taxes, or missing workers' compensation coverage under Chapter 440, Florida Statutes. Section 9-21(b) requires 'Broward County, and all municipalities located therein' to issue permits to any qualifying applicant and bars charging any fee 'as a condition precedent to working, contracting, or doing business,' though reasonable permit fees still apply. Section 9-1 makes the chapter countywide, so no Broward municipality may adopt a conflicting contractor-licensing rule for permit issuance.
Violations & Fines
Working or contracting without the required certificate of competency, or helping an uncertified contractor obtain a permit, triggers board discipline (reprimand, suspension, or revocation) plus civil penalties of $250 for a first violation and $500 for a repeat under Section 9-28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a city charge extra just to check a contractor's ID before issuing a permit?
Does this rule apply only in unincorporated Broward County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
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