Florida Demolition Permit
Requirements
Florida Demolition Permit Basics
Florida requires a demolition permit for the demolition of any structure or part of a structure. Permits are issued by your local building department — either city or county, depending on whether your property is in an incorporated municipality. The Florida Building Code provides the baseline, but local amendments apply.
Florida permit fees for residential demolitions typically range from $100 to $500, with coastal jurisdictions and large counties on the higher end. Hillsborough County (Tampa) charges based on a fee schedule that includes a base fee plus a per-square-foot charge for structures over a certain threshold. Miami-Dade County has a separate DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) review for demolitions affecting drainage or tree canopy.
Florida Owner-Builder Exemption — §489.103(7)
Florida's owner-builder exemption is one of the most explicitly documented in the country. Under Florida Statutes §489.103(7), an owner of property may act as their own contractor for construction, renovation, or demolition of a single-family residence or duplex they own, provided:
- They personally supervise and are responsible for all work
- They sign a disclosure form (provided by the local building department) acknowledging these conditions
- The structure cannot be sold within one year without disclosing it was owner-built or owner-demolished, unless the owner personally resided in the structure during the work
- The exemption cannot be used to perform work for hire on others' properties
Florida building departments are required to provide the disclosure form upon request. This exemption applies to demolition — but asbestos abatement and utility disconnections still require licensed professionals regardless of owner-builder status.
Florida DEP Asbestos Notification
Florida DEP administers the Asbestos NESHAP program for the state. The 10-working-day advance notification must be submitted to the appropriate Florida DEP district office for the county where the demolition will occur. For major counties, the district offices are:
| Area | DEP District / Contact |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe | South District, Miami: 305-377-4455 |
| Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee | South District, West Palm Beach: 561-681-6600 |
| Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier | Southwest District, Tampa: 813-632-7600 |
| Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Putnam, Lake, Seminole | Central District, Orlando: 407-894-7555 |
| Alachua, Duval, Clay, Baker, Nassau, Columbia and North Florida | Northeast District, Jacksonville: 904-807-3300 |
Coastal Zone Requirements
Properties within the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) require a separate Florida DEP Coastal Construction Permit for demolition in addition to the local building permit. CCCL review adds a separate application process, public notice requirements, and in some cases a public hearing. The CCCL permit processing time averages 60–90 days for straightforward projects. Properties seaward of the CCCL have the most restrictive review.
For properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), demolition that involves significant ground disturbance may require a floodplain development permit from your local floodplain administrator. The foundation treatment after demolition (whether to fill the basement, and to what elevation) is governed by local floodplain regulations.
Miami-Dade Specific Requirements
Miami-Dade County has several requirements distinct from the state baseline. The Miami-Dade Building Department handles demolition permits for unincorporated areas; incorporated municipalities (Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, etc.) have their own building departments. Miami-Dade's DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) conducts a separate review for demolitions that may affect protected trees, wetlands, or drainage. Historic districts in Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood add Historic Preservation Board review for contributing structures.
Hillsborough County (Tampa) Specific Requirements
Hillsborough County requires a demolition permit for any structure regardless of size. The permit fee schedule is based on the total square footage of the structure. Pre-1980 structures require asbestos inspection documentation as part of the permit application. Coastal properties in Hillsborough County's unincorporated areas may also require a separate environmental review from the county's Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) before a demolition permit issues for properties near wetlands or the bay shoreline.
Florida Demolition FAQs
Can I use the Florida owner-builder exemption to demolish a rental property I own?+
No. The Florida owner-builder exemption requires that the owner personally reside in or intend to reside in the structure. A rental property where you are the landlord but not the occupant does not qualify. Investor-owned demolitions require a licensed contractor. Additionally, the exemption cannot be used to demolish structures for resale within one year unless you personally resided there during the work — this prevents developers from using the exemption to avoid contractor licensing requirements.
My Florida property is near the coast. What additional permits do I need?+
Properties within the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) require a Florida DEP Coastal Construction Permit in addition to your local building permit. Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas may require a floodplain development permit. Check your property's CCCL status through the Florida DEP's online mapping tool, and your FEMA flood zone status through FEMA's Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov). Start the DEP coastal permit process early — processing times are 60–90 days minimum.
Does Florida have a demolition permit exemption for small sheds?+
Florida's statewide building code does not establish a universal shed demolition exemption. Whether a small accessory structure requires a demolition permit depends on your local jurisdiction. Many Florida counties and cities exempt structures under 100–200 square feet from permit requirements, but this varies. The fact that the structure may have been built without a permit does not affect whether a demolition permit is now required — contact your local building department to confirm.