Tampa Building and Trade Permit Guide

Breaking ground in the booming Tampa, Florida market? Before the first nail is hammered, you’ll need the city’s official green light. From rewiring a historic bungalow in Seminole Heights to expanding a South Tampa storefront, almost every structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical upgrade demands the proper permit.

In this guide, you’ll find exactly which permits fit your project, a clear, step-by-step path through Tampa’s online portal, and insider tips for tracking — and speeding up — approvals, so you can keep your crew (and timeline) on track.

Simplify permitting in Tampa with PermitFlow. Learn more here.

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What requires a building permit in Tampa?

Tampa requires permits for most construction and renovation work to prove that projects meet safety codes and regulations. 

You'll need a Tampa building permit for:

• Structural/re‐modeling work: Repairs or replacements of structural components (e.g., beams, load-bearing walls, roofs or floors)
• Plumbing, electrical & mechanical systems: Removal and replacement of piping, valves, fixtures, or circuits. New installations or significant modifications to plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical, HVAC, and related systems
• Roofing work: Re-roofing, re-covering, or repair work exceeding 500 ft², or involving structural components (trusses/rafters, etc.)
• Accessory & site work: Building one-story detached accessory structures over 120 sq ft (e.g., large sheds, workshops)

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What doesn’t require a permit?

Some minor work is exempt, including:

• Cosmetic or minor repairs: Painting, wallpapering, shelves, cabinets, floor coverings, gutters
• Small accessory structures & roofing: Building of detached sheds/playhouses up to 120 sq ft, roofing work 500 ft² or less
• Minor system repairs: Repairing leaks, clearing stoppages, minor mechanical part replacements
• Portable equipment: Installing portable heaters, coolers, or self-contained refrigeration units <1 HP or <10 lb refrigerant

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Tampa building permit cost

Tampa building permit fees depend on the type of work you're doing. The city calculates most fees based on the type of project.

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Residential fees

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Commercial fees

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Additional fees

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* All items marked with an asterisk are subject to a Florida Building Permit Surcharge (2.5% of permit value or minimum $4).

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To get more information on fees and how to calculate them, check out the following resources:

• General and administrative fee schedule
• Fee schedule
• Miscellaneous projects permit fee schedule

Note: Miscellaneous fees often include plan review and inspection, so no extra charges are generally needed for those smaller projects.

Pro tip: To calculate your estimated fees, use the city’s construction permit fee estimator.

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Tampa trade permits

For home services contractors or trade-specific work, separate permits may be required. These include:

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Plumbing permits

Required for new water or sewer line installations, fixture replacements, backflow prevention devices, and water heater replacements. Only licensed plumbers may apply.

Plumbing permit fees

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Electrical permits

Needed for panel upgrades, circuit additions, generator installs, EV chargers, and service changes. Tampa requires all electrical contractors to be licensed and registered.

Electrical permit fees

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HVAC permits

HVAC installations, ductwork, and replacements require a mechanical permit. Residential and commercial units must meet Florida energy efficiency standards.

HVAC permit fees

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Roofing permits

Required for complete roof replacements or structural repairs. Repairs affecting more than 25% of the roof typically require a roof permit.

Roofing permit fees

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Fence permits

Fences over a certain height or located in front yards require a permit. Zoning and material restrictions may apply depending on location.

Fence permit fees

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Note: All permits incur a Florida Building Permit Surcharge: 2.5% of permit value (minimum $4).

For more information on each type of trade permit, check out the trade permit fee schedule page.

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Tampa building permit application process

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Step 1: Prepare your documentation

• Site plans with boundaries, easements, utilities, parking, and grading
• Construction and building plans (architectural, structural) with sealed 3rd-party digital signatures
• MEP drawings: Mechanical, electrical, plumbing plans
• Energy calculations (e.g., ResCheck) for new construction or additions
• Topographical survey, if required by project type (typically for commercial and substantial renovations)

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Step 2: Apply online

The Tampa building permit application is available through the Accela Citizen Access portal. Here you should complete application details (e.g., project address, square footage, contractor info, estimated value) and upload all required files (e.g., plans, survey, energy report, sealed documents).

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Step 3: Plan review

The Building, Zoning, Fire, Environmental Health, and other relevant departments will review your Tampa building permit application. Review cycles may take around 4 weeks (varies based on workload).

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Step 4: Pay fees

You’ll receive an invoice once your application is approved. Permit fees vary based on project type and trade scope.

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Step 5: Schedule inspections

After the permit is issued (digital permit available in the portal), post the permit on-site. You should also use the portal to schedule inspections (use Submit a Service Request to request an inspection).

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How to search for Tampa permits

Looking for a past or active permit? 

Use the Tampa building permit search to find:

• Active permits by address
• Project status
• Inspection results
• Plan review comments

This is useful for contractors working on previously permitted properties or homeowners checking for final inspection status.

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Tampa permitting resources

• City of Tampa Development and Growth Management:
  
  • Address: 1400 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607
  • Phone: (813) 274-3100
  • General permitting info
  • Tampa building permit search & application portal
• Fees:
  
  • General and administrative fee schedule
  • Fee schedule
  • Miscellaneous projects permit fee schedule
  • Trade permit fee schedule
• Accela citizen access portal
• Construction permit fee estimator
• Residential permits
• Commercial permits

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Simplify permitting in Tampa with PermitFlow

Permitting shouldn’t steal hours from your schedule. Whether you’re refreshing a Hyde Park bungalow or breaking ground on a Midtown high-rise, PermitFlow keeps the paperwork moving while you keep the project moving. 

Our permit management software prepares and submits every application, monitors approvals in real time, and unifies all your jurisdictions — Tampa included — in one intuitive dashboard. Trade the form-filling grind for build time, and let PermitFlow clear the way from plan to completion.

Contractors and builders rely on PermitFlow for:

• Faster approvals: We know Tampa's requirements and submit everything correctly the first time
• Expert guidance: Our team understands Tampa's codes and rules, so your applications get approved quickly
• Centralized tracking: Monitor all your permits in one easy-to-use system

Don't let permit paperwork slow you down. Contact PermitFlow today to keep your projects moving forward.