Sarasota County Permitting Guide

Just 60 miles south of Tampa sits beautiful Sarasota County, pristine beaches, offering abundant development opportunities. Whether you’re planning new construction in the region or simply renovating an existing property, you’ll need a permit for your work.

This guide provides everything you need to understand Sarasota County building permit requirements, fees, and procedures. Keep reading for helpful tips and insights to navigate the permitting process with ease.

What requires a permit in Sarasota County?

In Sarasota County, most construction projects require a permit. 

This includes:

• New construction, both commercial and residential
• Major renovations
• Additions to existing structures
• Demolitions
• Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work
• Certain land alterations
• Fence, deck, and pool installations

Smaller projects, such as minor repairs or cosmetic changes, may not require a permit. Consult the Sarasota County Building Department to determine the specific requirements for your project.

How do I contact Sarasota County for a permit?

Contact the Sarasota County Building Department to discuss applying for a building permit. You can contact the Building Department online, by phone, or in person. 

Online

For general building and permitting inquiries, visit the Building Department website or email building@scgov.net.

By phone

Call 941-861-3281.

In person

Visit a Permit Center for in-person assistance. 

There are two Permit Centers:

• Sarasota County Operations Center: 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240
• R.L. Anderson Administration Center: 4000 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293

Sarasota County Permit Centers are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Other contact details: 

• Building Licensing – licensing@scgov.net
• Building Inspections Hotline - 941-861-3271/941-861-3273 or INSPhotline@scgov.net
• Building Permit Records Request - permitrecords@scgov.net
• Building Enforcement – ula@scgov.net
• Code Enforcement – ceadmin@scgov.net
• Environmental Permitting – 941-861-0673 or environmental@scgov.net
• Impact Fees – impactfees@scgov.net
• Land Development – 941-861-0826 or landdev@scgov.net
• Planning – 941-861-5244 or planner@scgov.net
• Zoning –941-356-6516 (North County) or 941-356-7067 (South County) zoning@scgov.net
• Online permitting (Accela) questions: 311 or 941-861-5000; scgaccela@scgov.net

What is the 50-percent rule in Sarasota County?

The 50-percent rule in Sarasota County is a regulation enacted by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that prohibits improvements to a structure that exceed 50% of its market value — unless the structure is adjusted to fully comply with up-to-date flood regulations.

The 50-percent rule applies to substantial improvements or repairs to buildings located in flood zones. It’s designed to ensure that buildings in flood-prone areas are adequately protected and meet updated safety standards.

The 50-percent rule could impact you if you’re planning major renovations to an existing building. Consult with the Sarasota County Property Appraiser to assess the building’s value as you plan the project. If the cost of the improvements is more than half of the building’s value, you may want to reassess the project to avoid the potentially expensive fees to bring the structure up to code.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Sarasota?

The time it takes to obtain a building permit in Sarasota County varies based on the complexity of the project and the completeness of the application. Typically, you can expect the review process to take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even a few months. For straightforward projects, permits may be issued within a week, while more complex projects might require a longer review period.

How to get a building permit in Sarasota County

Sarasota County’s permitting process is relatively straightforward — it’ll feel familiar if you’ve pulled permits in other Florida municipalities. The county encourages the use of its online permitting system, Accela Civic Apps (ACA).

Follow the step-by-step guide below to navigate the process.

Step 1: Determine permit requirements

Before preparing any application, first identify whether your project requires a permit. Most construction projects, including new builds, major renovations, and significant electrical or plumbing work, will require a permit. However, certain minor renovations and small-scale projects, such as small repairs or cosmetic changes, might not need one.

If you’ve determined that your project does require a permit, pinpoint which type of permit you need. The type of permit you’re pulling will dictate how you prepare your application. If you're unsure, it's always best to contact the Building Department directly to avoid any compliance issues later on.

Step 2: Prepare and submit your application

To start your Sarasota County permit application, you’ll need to first register an account through Accela, the county’s permitting system. It’s quick and easy to create an account.

Once you’re logged in, the permit portal — called the Digital Plan Room — will walk you through all of the steps required to apply. Within the portal, you’ll answer all of the required questions and upload your documentation. You can also digitally sign and validate files.

Pro tip: Use the county’s handy video tutorials to address any questions you might have about submitting your permit application online. 

Step 3: Undergo plan review

County officials will use the same Digital Plan Room to review your application and project plans. They may leave comments and request adjustments to your application. You’ll be able to digitally access mark-ups, issues, and conditions documented by reviewers.

Once your application is approved, you can download your final stamped PDF plan sets.

Step 4: Pay fees

Before you can get your permit in your hand, you’ll need to pay all applicable fees. Payment can be submitted online through the Sarasota County permit portal. 

Step 5: Schedule an inspection

Once you’ve received your permit, you can begin work on your project. That said, you’ll still have to schedule and undergo any required inspections during and after the completion of the project. 

• You can text the county’s digital program, Selectext, at 855-975-3036 to schedule an inspection and receive results via text.
• Alternatively, you can call the Inspections Hotline — which is staffed during normal operating hours — at 941‑861‑3271 or 3273.

Permit expediting

Anyone who has applied for a permit before will agree that it can be a long and tedious process. If you want to speed up that process, you might consider hiring a permit expediter.

Permit expediters are local experts who understand the county’s permitting process and can prepare and submit your application on your behalf.

Before hiring a permit expediter in Sarasota County, consider the downsides…

• They’re unnecessary for minor projects. Straightforward projects that don’t require extensive documentation or special approvals are typically easy enough to manage without paying an expediter.
• They cost a lot. Permit expediter fees add up fast. If your project is small and simple, you probably won’t be able to justify the fees.
• Expediters often juggle multiple clients. As a result, your expediter might not give your project their undivided attention, which could lead to overlooked details and delays. 
• You won’t get great visibility into the status of the project. Working with an expediter means you won’t be able to easily track the status of your application. Without real-time updates, you might encounter misunderstandings and delays.

Instead of hiring a permit expediter, consider alternative solutions like PermitFlow. 

Simplify the permitting process with PermitFlow

PermitFlow is a streamlined digital solution designed to simplify every step of the permitting process. PermitFlow handles the permit preparation, submission, and tracking so you don’t have to.

PermitFlow will help you…

• Save Time: Leverage our pre-vetted research and submission processes to save time. Our team reviews your project plans to create a comprehensive list of necessary permits, which means you can focus on other aspects of the project.
• Get Your Permit Faster: We operate efficiently to prepare and submit your application so you can get your permit in days, not weeks. 
• Track Progress in One Place: With real-time updates in one centralized platform, you’ll have visibility into the status of your applications and the ability to track progress along the way. 
• Save Money: Using PermitFlow means you can avoid the expense of hiring a permit expediter. Our cost-effective software delivers the same level of expertise and efficiency as an expediter without the exorbitant fees.

Ready to simplify your permitting process?

PermitFlow is here to help you navigate the Sarasota County permitting process effortlessly. Talk with one of our permitting experts for professional guidance tailored to your needs.