If you’re planning a construction project in Collier County, Florida, it’s in your best interest to go in fully prepared. With a little preparation and research beforehand, you can ensure the permitting process goes smoothly with few bumps in the road.
This guide details the steps involved in obtaining a building permit in Collier County, with additional helpful details like average processing times to help plan your schedule.
Navigate this guide:
Collier County permitting requirements
How to get a building permit in Collier County
Working with a Collier County permit expediter
How to simplify the permitting process with PermitFlow
Collier County permitting requirements
If you’re planning to build, renovate, or demolish a structure in Collier County, Florida, you’ll likely need a building permit before you begin work.
A building permit is a document that authorizes you to construct, alter, or demolish a building, or to install certain types of equipment in an existing structure. Building permits ensure that work you perform meets Collier County’s local laws and codes, and that the project meets minimum health and safety standards.
You need a building permit in Collier County if you plan to:
Build, alter, renovate, demolish, or add to a structure.
Install, alter, or remove an electrical, gas, plumbing, or mechanical system that is regulated by the Florida Building Code.
What requires a permit in Collier County?
The Collier County Building Department requires a building permit for most types of construction and major renovation projects.
The following things require a permit in Collier County:
New construction of any type of building.
Additions or alterations to existing buildings.
Adding detached storage or a garage to an existing property.
Building permit fees in Collier County vary depending on the type of permit you need. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $5,000 for most kinds of building permits.
In Collier County, some permits are priced based on the square footage of the proposed structure. For example, the fee to review a proposed new construction is $0.055 per square foot, with a minimum of $100.
How to get a building permit in Collier County
Here’s how to get a permit in Collier County in four steps:
Preliminary review
Prepare and submit your application
Review process
Receive and post your permit
1. Preliminary review
The first step is to determine the type of permit you need.
If you’re not sure which type of permit your project requires, speak with the local Collier County Growth Management division.
This department can:
Provide valuable insights into the permitting process.
Offer guidance on code compliance.
Answer any specific questions you may have.
Beyond identifying the specific type of permit required, you should also ensure that your project aligns with all local zoning regulations and building codes. Familiarize yourself with Collier County’s comprehensive guidelines, as these regulations may vary based on the nature and scope of your undertaking.
Additionally, it's advisable to consult any relevant planning documents or land-use regulations that may impact your project. Being well-informed at the outset will not only save you time but also ensure a smoother permitting experience.
2. Prepare and submit your application
Once you know which type of permit you need, it’s time to put together your application.
Before completing the application, download the county’s ISR (initial submittal requirement) sheets or checklists to ensure you have all the required documents.
Collier County’s Growth Management division provides digital application PDFs on its website. Download and complete these forms, then submit them via the CityView Portal.
Upon submitting your application, you’ll also need to:
Pay any applicable fees.
Include any extra documentation as needed, such as site plans, environmental reports, surveys, and approvals.
Noteworthy recent changes in Collier County: - Effective November 1, 2023 the owner/builder affidavit and the permit application are now combined into one document. When submitting as an owner/builder, you’ll only need the new owner/builder application and other supplemental documents.
- As of October 6, 2023, you’ll no longer need to submit pages 3 and 4 of the building permit application (the Acknowledgement of Collier County Regulations by the Owner and the Qualifier section.
3. Review process
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait while the county reviews it. The county will go through your application and supporting documentation and either approve or reject it.
It is possible that the county will request further documentation, which may require you to resubmit your application. Instructions for doing so will be included in the Outstanding Corrections Letter the county sends you.
In Collier County, the permit review process usually takes between 1 - 10 business days, possibly more depending on the complexity of your application. Throughout the duration of this process, you can track the status of your application using the Collier County permit tracking tool via its Electronic Permitting Portal.
4. Receive and post your permit
Congratulations — your Collier County building permit has been approved! Pay any additional fees to receive your permit documentation.
Next, you’ll need to schedule an inspection. Schedule yours online or by calling the Collier County Growth Management division at 239-252-3726.
Once you’ve passed your inspection, you can begin work on your project.
Tip: Don’t forget to post your permit at the worksite! Failure to do so could result in fines.
Working with a Collier County permit expediter
There’s no doubt that applying for and obtaining a permit can be frustrating and time-consuming. To save time, one option is to work with a Collier County permit expediter.
A permit expediter is a service provider who helps you navigate the permit application process. They’ll put together and submit the application for you so you can focus your time and resources on other aspects of the project.
How to simplify the permitting process with PermitFlow
To further simplify your permitting process, work with PermitFlow. PermitFlow is a permit software provider that automates the permit preparation and submission process so you can obtain a permit quickly and effortlessly.
With PermitFlow, you get:
A team of experts: The PermitFlow team consists of experienced architects, structural engineers, former city planners, and permit specialists who are familiar with Collier County permitting processes.
An easy-to-use platform: From the PermitFlow platform, you can easily submit, track, and pull permits from one centralized location without trying to navigate Collier County’s website and digital paperwork.
Faster results. Navigating the permit process yourself is a pain, and hiring a permit expediter doesn’t always yield the best results. Instead, trust the experts at PermitFlow to handle all the work for you and get your permit in your hands as fast as possible.
If you’re planning a construction project in Collier County, Florida, it’s in your best interest to go in fully prepared. With a little preparation and research beforehand, you can ensure the permitting process goes smoothly with few bumps in the road.
This guide details the steps involved in obtaining a building permit in Collier County, with additional helpful details like average processing times to help plan your schedule.
Navigate this guide:
Collier County permitting requirements
How to get a building permit in Collier County
Working with a Collier County permit expediter
How to simplify the permitting process with PermitFlow
Collier County permitting requirements
If you’re planning to build, renovate, or demolish a structure in Collier County, Florida, you’ll likely need a building permit before you begin work.
A building permit is a document that authorizes you to construct, alter, or demolish a building, or to install certain types of equipment in an existing structure. Building permits ensure that work you perform meets Collier County’s local laws and codes, and that the project meets minimum health and safety standards.
You need a building permit in Collier County if you plan to:
Build, alter, renovate, demolish, or add to a structure.
Install, alter, or remove an electrical, gas, plumbing, or mechanical system that is regulated by the Florida Building Code.
What requires a permit in Collier County?
The Collier County Building Department requires a building permit for most types of construction and major renovation projects.
The following things require a permit in Collier County:
New construction of any type of building.
Additions or alterations to existing buildings.
Adding detached storage or a garage to an existing property.
Building permit fees in Collier County vary depending on the type of permit you need. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $5,000 for most kinds of building permits.
In Collier County, some permits are priced based on the square footage of the proposed structure. For example, the fee to review a proposed new construction is $0.055 per square foot, with a minimum of $100.
How to get a building permit in Collier County
Here’s how to get a permit in Collier County in four steps:
Preliminary review
Prepare and submit your application
Review process
Receive and post your permit
1. Preliminary review
The first step is to determine the type of permit you need.
If you’re not sure which type of permit your project requires, speak with the local Collier County Growth Management division.
This department can:
Provide valuable insights into the permitting process.
Offer guidance on code compliance.
Answer any specific questions you may have.
Beyond identifying the specific type of permit required, you should also ensure that your project aligns with all local zoning regulations and building codes. Familiarize yourself with Collier County’s comprehensive guidelines, as these regulations may vary based on the nature and scope of your undertaking.
Additionally, it's advisable to consult any relevant planning documents or land-use regulations that may impact your project. Being well-informed at the outset will not only save you time but also ensure a smoother permitting experience.
2. Prepare and submit your application
Once you know which type of permit you need, it’s time to put together your application.
Before completing the application, download the county’s ISR (initial submittal requirement) sheets or checklists to ensure you have all the required documents.
Collier County’s Growth Management division provides digital application PDFs on its website. Download and complete these forms, then submit them via the CityView Portal.
Upon submitting your application, you’ll also need to:
Pay any applicable fees.
Include any extra documentation as needed, such as site plans, environmental reports, surveys, and approvals.
Noteworthy recent changes in Collier County: - Effective November 1, 2023 the owner/builder affidavit and the permit application are now combined into one document. When submitting as an owner/builder, you’ll only need the new owner/builder application and other supplemental documents.
- As of October 6, 2023, you’ll no longer need to submit pages 3 and 4 of the building permit application (the Acknowledgement of Collier County Regulations by the Owner and the Qualifier section.
3. Review process
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait while the county reviews it. The county will go through your application and supporting documentation and either approve or reject it.
It is possible that the county will request further documentation, which may require you to resubmit your application. Instructions for doing so will be included in the Outstanding Corrections Letter the county sends you.
In Collier County, the permit review process usually takes between 1 - 10 business days, possibly more depending on the complexity of your application. Throughout the duration of this process, you can track the status of your application using the Collier County permit tracking tool via its Electronic Permitting Portal.
4. Receive and post your permit
Congratulations — your Collier County building permit has been approved! Pay any additional fees to receive your permit documentation.
Next, you’ll need to schedule an inspection. Schedule yours online or by calling the Collier County Growth Management division at 239-252-3726.
Once you’ve passed your inspection, you can begin work on your project.
Tip: Don’t forget to post your permit at the worksite! Failure to do so could result in fines.
Working with a Collier County permit expediter
There’s no doubt that applying for and obtaining a permit can be frustrating and time-consuming. To save time, one option is to work with a Collier County permit expediter.
A permit expediter is a service provider who helps you navigate the permit application process. They’ll put together and submit the application for you so you can focus your time and resources on other aspects of the project.
How to simplify the permitting process with PermitFlow
To further simplify your permitting process, work with PermitFlow. PermitFlow is a permit software provider that automates the permit preparation and submission process so you can obtain a permit quickly and effortlessly.
With PermitFlow, you get:
A team of experts: The PermitFlow team consists of experienced architects, structural engineers, former city planners, and permit specialists who are familiar with Collier County permitting processes.
An easy-to-use platform: From the PermitFlow platform, you can easily submit, track, and pull permits from one centralized location without trying to navigate Collier County’s website and digital paperwork.
Faster results. Navigating the permit process yourself is a pain, and hiring a permit expediter doesn’t always yield the best results. Instead, trust the experts at PermitFlow to handle all the work for you and get your permit in your hands as fast as possible.
