Broward County, FL Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies countywide
- Binds all 31 municipalities
- Permit condition
- Certificate of competency required
- Also required
- Business tax receipt, workers' comp proof
- Fee limit
- No extra fee once certified
Summary
Broward County issues building permits for plumbing work only to applicants holding a current state or Central Examining Board certificate of competency, a paid business tax receipt, and workers' compensation proof.
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
Under Section 9-21(a) of the Broward County Code, an applicant for a plumbing (or other regulated-trade) building permit must hold a current active Florida certificate of competency or one issued by the county's Central Examining Board, must have paid the required business taxes and hold the business tax receipt, and must show workers' compensation coverage under Chapter 440, Florida Statutes. Section 9-1 makes this Chapter 9 licensing scheme apply countywide and bars any Broward municipality from adopting a conflicting ordinance, so the certification-before-permit rule reaches Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and every other city in the county, not just the unincorporated area. Section 9-21(b) also bars charging any fee as a precondition to working once the certificate requirement is met, beyond ordinary permit fees and taxes.
Violations & Fines
Applying for or performing permitted plumbing work without a current certificate of competency, unpaid business taxes, or missing workers' comp proof violates Sec. 9-21 and can trigger Central Examining Board discipline or a county code enforcement citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to pull a plumbing permit in Broward County?
Does this rule apply inside Fort Lauderdale or other Broward cities?
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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