Do I need a permit in Hernando County? 2026 homeowner guide

Updated September 22, 2026

Probably yes. Hernando County's own words: "A building permit is required for most construction related work."¹ The county prints a short list of the jobs that are the exceptions. A roof repair where the old covering is less than 100 square feet is on it. So is a water heater swapped for the same type in the same spot. Find your job in the tables below.

What needs a permit in Hernando County?

State law sets the rule. It is unlawful "to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit."¹⁶ Hernando then prints a list of home jobs that do not need one. It is called "Items Not Requiring A Building Permit (Residential Only)."¹

No permit does not mean no license. "Hernando County does not have a handyman license," the county says. A handyman can paint, lay flooring, and plug in a ceiling fan. Cabinets are on the list only "if replacing like for like and not part of a larger scope/contract." A handyman cannot hard-wire a ceiling fan or install an exterior door or window.⁴ Even the plumbing jobs that need no permit may only be done by "a licensed plumbing contractor or the property owner."²

Jobs that do NOT need a permit

Job	Permit?	What to know
Small roof repair	No	Only when the "existing roof covering" is "less than 100 square feet." Liquid roof coatings need no permit either.1
Water heater, same type, same place	No	The county's words: "Water Heater change out of same type and same location." A new type or a new spot is permit work.1
Painting, flooring, and tile	No	Carpet, wood, laminate and tile floors. Ceramic tile on floors and walls must be "non-fire rated."1
Kitchen cabinets and countertops	No	Cabinets are "Replacement only," with no change to where the wiring or plumbing goes. Countertops need "No electrical modifications."1
Interior doors and trim	No	Only in "existing openings, no modifications to the wall."1
Light fixtures, fans, outlets, switches	No	Only "Replacement of existing" ones, "like for like."1
Faucet, sink, or toilet	No	"Replacement of existing only."1
A/C repair or a window unit	No	A repair "of existing Mechanical equipment" is free of a permit. A window unit is too, if the outlet is already there. Replacing the system is permit work.1
Fence under 7 feet	No	Unless it is held up by brick, block, or concrete columns.1 The county's fence form says homes need a permit at "7 feet or higher."7
Glass only, or a shower door	No	Glass in a window or door, with "no frame." A shower glass door can be repaired or replaced.1
Re-screening	No	Existing window screens or screen enclosures.1
Gutters and garage door openers	No	Rain gutters, but not "Structural Super Gutters." An opener only where the power is already there.1
Pool resurfacing, or a small pool	No	Resurfacing a home pool is fine. So is a manufactured pool "less than 24 inches deep."1
Pavers, curbing, playground set	No	Sand-set pavers that are "not part of a pool/spa deck," and garden curbing that is not structural.1
Internet, cable TV, or security wiring	No	Low voltage only. Pull-down attic stairs in an existing opening need no permit either.1

Jobs that DO need a permit

Job	Permit?	What to know
Re-roof, or a bigger roof repair	Yes	The county's roof permit covers a replacement or a re-cover.9 On a home permitted before the Florida Building Code, a re-roof also requires re-nailing the roof deck, and a secondary water barrier.17
Windows and exterior doors	Yes	Even size for size. It is its own permit on the county's fee list.3 The new window still has to meet today's code.18
A/C change-out	Yes	"Mechanical A/C Changeout Only" is its own permit.3
Electrical and plumbing work	Yes	Anything not on the county's no-permit list. That list covers like-for-like fixture swaps, a faucet, sink, or toilet swap, a same-type water heater in the same spot, and low-voltage wiring.1 A generator and solar panels are each their own permit.3
Fence 7 feet or taller	Yes	So is a fence of any height held up by brick, block, or concrete columns.17
Shed	Ask first	The county's code excuses a "One-story detached" shed for a house, up to 120 square feet, "at grade level."2 But its home no-permit list leaves sheds off, and its fee list has a permit for a storage building of 200 square feet or less.13 Call before you build one.
Siding, soffit, or fascia	Yes	None is on the county's no-permit list.1 Each is on its fee list, and the siding permit names replacing "More than 25% Total Wall Area."3 For a small patch, ask.
Deck, porch, or screen room	Yes	Each is its own permit type, and so is a pool screen enclosure.3
Swimming pool	Yes	To pass the last check, a new pool needs one safety feature the state approves: a barrier at least 4 feet high, a safety cover, exit alarms, a self-closing and self-latching device, or a pool alarm.19
Sinkhole testing or repair	Yes	Two permits: one before the testing and one before the repair. See the sinkhole section below.12
Remodel, addition, or new house	Yes	A home remodel is priced by the square foot.3

Some lines stop at an exact number. A roof repair must be "less than" 100 square feet, and a small pool "less than" 24 inches deep, so the number itself needs a permit.¹ A fence of exactly 7 feet needs one too.⁷

What is the $7,500 permit exemption?

A state law. The owner of a single-family home can skip the building permit for "any work valued at less than $7,500." It does not cover a home in a flood hazard area, or "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work." You cannot split one job into smaller ones to get under the line.¹⁶

You still have to ask. The law says the owner or contractor "must submit a written request for exemption" to the building department, with a copy of the contract or other papers showing the work and its value.¹⁶ The Hernando pages we read on September 22, 2026 do not mention this law. Call the county before you count on it.

What changes if my home is in a flood hazard area?

The rules get stricter. The $7,500 state break is off.¹⁶ The county's code says a no-permit job still has to follow the flood rules.² To see if a home is in a flood zone, the county points to its GeoHub map. It also warns that it keeps "local watershed data that may impact development but may not appear on FEMA's maps."¹¹

Hernando uses the 50 percent rule. If repairs or a remodel cost half the building's value or more, the whole building has to meet today's flood rules. That can mean raising it. The county's code draws the line at work that "equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure."² So 50 percent is already over. The value counted is the building, "not including the land."¹⁰

Older homes are the ones to watch. The county calls a building from "on or before April 17, 1984" Pre-FIRM. Those often were not built to today's flood rules. The county's warning: "Any major work on your building, even if it's just repairs, could lead to the Substantial Improvement rule." To check a job, email flooddepartment@hernandocounty.us.¹⁰

What about sinkhole repairs in Hernando County?

They need two permits, and they leave a paper trail. In the county's area, a sinkhole investigation permit comes first, before anyone tests the ground. A licensed engineer or geologist has to run the testing. Then a separate remediation permit comes before any repair, under a licensed engineer.¹²

Buyers, this is the useful part. The engineer's report on the testing must be "recorded in the public records of Hernando County within thirty (30) days." So must the report on the repair.¹² The first report lists "all physical and structural damage observed." The second lists what was done, the materials, and the cost.¹² If a home's permit list shows a sinkhole job, ask for those reports.

Can I pull my own permit in Hernando County?

Yes, for a home you will live in. Florida lets an owner pull a permit for their own property instead of hiring a licensed contractor.²⁰ Hernando's permit forms add three things to know.⁹

• You have to show up. The county's words: "an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application. A power of attorney cannot be accepted."⁹
• If you build a home, or substantially improve one, yourself and then sell or lease it within 1 year after the work is done, the law presumes you did it to sell or lease, which breaks the rule.⁹
• Hiring someone with no license can cost you. "Homeowners hiring unlicensed contractors may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000.00."⁹

How much does a building permit cost in Hernando County?

Each job has its own flat fee. Hernando's new fee schedule took effect March 3, 2026.³ Two charges go on top of every building permit: a $93 technology fee and a $15 unlicensed contractor surcharge. The schedule also names state DPR and radon fees.³ So a home re-roof costs at least $298: $190, plus $93, plus $15.

Hernando County permit fees for common jobs

Job	County fee	What to know
Re-roof	$190	"Roofing, Residential."3
Windows or doors, size for size	$140	"Door/Window (residential) (size for size)."3
A/C change-out	$140	A new system is also $140.3
Electrical	$165	"Electric, Other."3
Plumbing	$115	"Plumbing, Other (Res)."3
Generator	$140	Home solar panels are $180.3
Siding, soffit, or fascia	$105	Each.3
Shed, 200 sq ft or less	$140	"Storage Building 200 s.f. or less."3
Deck or pool screen enclosure	$140	Each.3
Swimming pool	$361	In-ground. An above-ground pool is $140.3
Home remodel	$90 minimum	28 cents a square foot for the building, with a $90 minimum. Each trade adds 9 cents a square foot, also $90 minimum, plus a $70 plan review.3
Extending or reactivating a permit	$80	The county's form says $80, asked for in writing before it expires.8 Its 2026 fee list has $80 to reactivate and $79.10 for an extension letter.3

A home permit also carries a $100 application fee, paid when you apply. The county credits it toward the permit, and it is not refunded.³ The fees are the Building Division's only, and "May be subject to Other Agencies fees such as Zoning."³ Brooksville sets its own fees.¹³

How long is a building permit good for in Hernando County?

Two rules are in print. The county's code says work has to start within 180 days, and a permit dies if the work stops for 180 days. It also says: "All permits shall expire 2 years from the date of issuance."² Passing an inspection at least every 180 days keeps the work "in active progress."² Another part of the code names 90 days for "stand-alone permits."²

State law now says something else for a house. "A building permit issued by a local government for a single-family dwelling expires 1 year after the issuance of the permit or on the effective date of the next edition of the Florida Building Code, whichever is later."¹⁶ Hernando's code on this was last changed in 2021.² Ask the county which rule your permit falls under.

If you need more time, ask in writing before the permit expires. The county's form prices an extension or a reactivation at $80.⁸ Its 2026 fee list has $80 to reactivate and $79.10 for an extension letter.³ The form also says "ALL construction under this permit must be completed within two (2) years."⁸

What happens if you do work without a permit in Hernando County?

A penalty of twice the fee, on top of the fee. The county's code sets a penalty "of 200 percent of the usual permit fee in addition to the required permit fee."² On a $190 re-roof, that is a $380 penalty on top of the $190.³ Real emergency work is the one exception, and the permit must then be applied for "within three (3) business days."² Inside Brooksville, the city's penalty is 100 percent of the fee.¹³

The county's fee schedule also lists fines, in its licensing section, for "Failure to Obtain Required Permit Prior to Commencement of Work." They are $500 the first time, $750 the second, and $1,000 after that.³

Buyers, this is the part that matters to you. The county says so in plain words: "The current owner is ultimately responsible for obtaining a permit for any work performed that would require it even if the unpermitted work was done prior to purchase."⁴ Once you buy the house, the old job with no permit is yours. So look before you buy. A permit search shows which jobs had one. Hold that list up against the house, and a new roof or an added room with nothing on file stands out.

How do I look up building permits on a house in Hernando County?

Hernando has two search sites, split by date. Permits from March 3, 2026 on are in the county's new Permit Application Status and Property Search Portal. Permits "submitted prior to 3/3/26" are in the older Legacy Permit Application Status Tool.⁵ To see a home's whole history, check both.

Hernando County permit search by address, step by step

1. For newer permits, open the county's Permit Application Status and Property Search Portal. The county says you can search property history "by owner's name, address, key number, or parcel IDs."⁵
2. For older permits, open the Legacy Permit Application Status Tool. Under View Parcel Information, click Advanced Search, then pick Location.⁶
3. Type the house number and the street name. The tool's own note: "Do not use the # sign." Click Search, then Select on your home.⁶
4. Scroll to Permits. The newest are on top, 10 to a page. Click the page numbers under the list to see the oldest.⁶

We tried the older tool on September 22, 2026, without signing in. One Spring Hill home showed 10 permits on its first page, with more on a second. They included a roof re-cover in 2019, a window and door job in 2025, and a pool in 2024. They also showed a sinkhole investigation in 2019, and sinkhole stabilization in 2015 and again in 2020.⁶ That is the kind of line to ask about.

Read the Status column. On that home, every job read "FINALED" or "CLOSED."⁶ A job that never reached a final inspection is worth asking the seller about. A home inside Brooksville also has permits in the city's own Permits Portal.¹³¹⁵

You can call the office that covers your address and ask for the permit history. The county's number is 352-754-4050.¹ Or you can have every office checked at once.

Buying a house? See its permits first.

QReport checks both of Hernando County's permit systems, the new one and the older one. If the address is inside Brooksville, it checks the city's too. It goes by where the home actually sits, not by the mailing address. Then it tells you in plain words what work had a permit, when the roof, A/C, water heater and wiring were last done, and if the home sits in a flood zone. Brooksville is covered, and we cover seven Florida counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Charlotte.

See a sample report

Where these rules come from

1. Hernando County Building Division, Items Not Requiring A Building Permit (Residential Only) - "A building permit is required for most construction related work. Some improvements of real property may not require a building permit. The work exempted must still be constructed in accordance with the minimum code standards and comply with Hernando County Zoning's requirements (setbacks)."; the list: "Roof Repairs (existing roof covering less than 100 square feet)", "Liquid Roof Coatings", "Painting", "Ceramic Tile - floor and wall (non-fire rated)", "Flooring - Carpet, Wood, Laminate, and Tile", "Playground Equipment", "Interior Doors, Trim, and hardware (existing openings, no modifications to the wall)", "Air Conditioner - Window unit, electrical outlet existing", "Air Conditioning repair of existing Mechanical equipment", "Garage Door Openers (existing electric)", "Rain Gutters (Does not include Structural Super Gutters)", "Pool Resurfacing Residential", "Pull-down attic stairs (existing opening)", "Replacement of existing light fixtures, ceiling fans, receptacles, switches (like for like)", "Low Voltage Residential such as internet, cable TV, or security", "Faucet, Sink, or Toilet Replacement of existing only", "Kitchen Countertops (No electrical modifications)", "Kitchen Cabinets - Replacement only (No change in configuration of electrical or plumbing)", "Glass Replacement of existing window and door (Glass only, no frame)", "Fences - Residential less than 7 feet in height (Unless the fence is supported by brick, block, or concrete columns)", "Re-screening of existing window screens or screen enclosures", "Shower glass door repair or replacement", "Water Heater change out of same type and same location", "Non-Structural Garden Border/Decorative Curbing", "Pavers - Sand set, not part of a pool/spa deck" and "Pool - Manufactured, less than 24 inches deep"; and "This document is for informational purposes and does not include all scopes of work that require/does not require a permit. For any questions, contact the Building Department at 352-754-4050 or email: Bldg@Hernandocounty.us"
2. Hernando County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8, Article II, Construction Code, version of August 9, 2026, Sec. 8-98 (last amended by Ord. No. 2021-14, August 24, 2021) - 105.2: "Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction, to include work in any special flood hazard area."; 105.2, Building, item 1: "One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, to a Group R-3 occupancy provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, at grade level."; 105.2, Plumbing, item 4: "All work described in Parts 1 & 2 above may only be performed by a licensed plumbing contractor or the property owner in accordance with s. 489.103(7) Florida Statutes, regardless of whether a permit is required for such work."; 105.4.1: "(90 days for stand-alone permits or 180 days for all other permits)"; 105.4.1.3: "Work shall be considered to be in active progress when the permit has received an approved inspection within 180 days."; 105.5: "Every permit issued shall become null and void unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. All permits shall expire 2 years from the date of issuance."; 109.4: "Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the Building Official or his/her designee approval or the necessary permits shall be subject to a penalty of 200 percent of the usual permit fee in addition to the required permit fee.", with the exception for emergency work, where "the required permit(s) must be applied for within three (3) business days."; and the definition "Substantial Improvement. Any combination of repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or improvement of a building or structure cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started."
3. Hernando County, Building Fee Resolution No. 2026-037 and Schedule, adopted February 24, 2026, fees "effective on March 3, 2026" - on every section, "(1) All permits subject to DPR, Radon, Unlicensed Contractor Surcharge, and Technology Fees" and "(2) Fees represent Building Division Fees Only - May be subject to Other Agencies fees such as Zoning."; "Technology Fee (Applied to all building permits)" $93.00; "Unlicensed Contractor Surcharge (Applied to all building permits)" $15.00; residential permit fees "Roofing, Residential" $190.00, "Door/Window (residential) (size for size)" $140.00, "Mechanical A/C Changeout Only" $140.00, "Mechanical A/C New System" $140.00, "Electric, Other" $165.00, "Plumbing, Other (Res)" $115.00, "Generator" $140.00, "Photovoltaic System (Res)" $180.00, "Fascia/Soffit/Gutter" $105.00, "Siding (Includes Replacement More than 25% Total Wall Area)" $105.00, "Storage Building 200 s.f. or less (Non-Commercial, Site Built or 1 Piece/Pre-Fab) - Building" $140.00, "Deck" $140.00, "Porch" $180.00, "Screen Room, New" $140.00, "Screen Enclosure (Pool)" $140.00, "Swimming Pool, In-Ground" $361.00, "Swimming Pool, Above Ground" $140.00; "Reactivate a Permit" $80.00; "Extension Letter (Application or Permit)" $79.10; "Remodel & Repairs (SFR & MH)": building fee $0.28 per square foot, $90.00 minimum, electric, plumbing and mechanical $0.09 per square foot, $90.00 minimum each, "Plan Review Fee" $70.00; "ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW FEES (Application fees)" "Remodel & Repairs (SFR & MH)" and "Residential Permits (Not Listed in this Section)" $100.00, with "Administrative Review Fees are payable at the time of application. The fee is credited toward th total permit cost, and is non-refundable." [sic]; and, under "LICENSING FEES, FINES & PENALTIES", "Failure to Obtain Required Permit Prior to Commencement of Work": First Offense $500.00, Second Offense $750.00, Third and Repeat Offense $1,000.00.
4. Hernando County, Development Services FAQ - "Hernando County does not have a handyman license. The following are some things that may be done without a contractor license:", including "Ceiling fan installation with a plug only (cannot do any hard wiring in junction box)", "Change door locks (NO installation of exterior doors or windows)", "Painting", "Wood, Laminate, Tile & Carpet Flooring" and "Cabinets - Only if replacing like for like and not part of a larger scope/contract"; and "I did not own the home when the unpermitted work was done. Why do I have to get a permit now?": "The current owner is ultimately responsible for obtaining a permit for any work performed that would require it even if the unpermitted work was done prior to purchase. Title companies should be checking for existing compliance cases prior to closing to ensure notification. This only works if the violation was reported prior to the search date."
5. Hernando County, Building - "New Permit Application Status Tool (As of 03/03/2026)"; "Use the "Permit Application Status and Property Search Portal" link above to access current permit information and property records."; "Search and review property history (by owner's name, address, key number, or parcel IDs."; "The Legacy Permit Application Status tool can be used to view permits and related documents submitted prior to 3/3/26."; "THE LEGACY PORTAL IS FOR REVIEW, STATUS AND INSPECTION SCHEDULING ONLY."; and "please call 352-754-4050."
6. Hernando County Building Division, Legacy Permit Application Status Tool - "Public Viewing of Parcels and Permit Information". Observed live on September 22, 2026, without signing in: under View Parcel Information, Advanced Search offers "Owner Name", "Location", "Real Property" and "Mobile Homes"; Location asks for "Street Number", "Direction", "Street Name" and "Lot/Apt/Suite", with "Note: Do not use the # sign". 5251 Deltona Blvd, Spring Hill returned one home; its Permits list, page 1 of 2, newest first: 05/16/2025 WINDOW/DOOR REPLACEMENT FINALED; 05/14/2025 POOL ENCLOSURE FINALED; 12/02/2024 SWIMMING POOL FINALED; 03/13/2024 ZP: FENCE FINALED; 11/18/2021 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR SYS FINALED; 08/04/2020 SINKHOLE/STABILIZATION CLOSED; 08/20/2019 SNKHL/GRD INVESTIGATION CLOSED; 05/31/2019 ROOF RECOVER FINALED; 05/08/2015 SINKHOLE/STABILIZATION FINALED; 04/06/2015 RESIDENTIAL HTG/AIR FINALED.
7. Hernando County Building Division, Fence Registration - "NOTE: Only Commercial Properties and Residential Properties (7 feet or higher) require a permit"
8. Hernando County Building Division, Request to Extend or Reactivate a Building Permit, Rev. Jan. 2025, "789 Providence Blvd Brooksville, FL 34601 Phone: 352-754-4050" - "The Hernando County Construction Code gives the Building Official the authority to grant an extension up to 90 days, providing the extension is requested in writing and justifiable cause is demonstrated prior to the expiration date. Approved extensions or reactivations are subject to a fee of $80.00"; and "I understand that ALL construction under this permit must be completed within two (2) years of original permit issuance date."
9. Hernando County, Residential Roofing Permit - work types "Reroof (Replacement)" and "Reshingle (Recover)"; and its Owner Builder Disclosure Statement: "Homeowners hiring unlicensed contractors may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000.00"; "To qualify for exemption under any of the following subsections, an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application. A power of attorney cannot be accepted."; and "If a building or residence that I have built or substantially improved myself is sold or leased within 1 year after the construction is complete, the law will presume that I built or substantially improved it for sale or lease, which violates the exemption."
10. Hernando County, Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage - "If a building was built on or before April 17, 1984, it's considered Pre-FIRM."; "The NFIP requires that if you make major changes to a Pre-FIRM building, like repairs, additions, or renovations, and the cost exceeds 50% of the building's fair market value (not including the land), the entire building must be brought up to current flood standards."; "Any major work on your building, even if it's just repairs, could lead to the Substantial Improvement rule."; and "To verify if your project needs a permit, contact us at flooddepartment@hernandocounty.us"
11. Hernando County, Floodplain Information - "residents can use the GeoHub and Land Use Standards Map. The FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) remains the official source for all flood zone determinations."; and "In addition to FEMA mapping, Hernando County maintains local watershed data that may impact development but may not appear on FEMA's maps."
12. Hernando County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8, Article II, Division 5, Sinkhole and Ground Settlement Claims, Investigation and Remediation Permits, Secs. 8-110 to 8-112 (Ord. No. 2011-7) - a sinkhole investigation permit is required before "any sinkhole investigation being undertaken on any land or lands within the unincorporated areas of the county"; "The sinkhole investigation may only be performed under the direction or supervision of a Florida licensed professional engineer or a Florida licensed professional geologist."; the post-investigation report lists "all physical and structural damage observed" and "shall be recorded in the public records of Hernando County within thirty (30) days of the report's completion."; "a sinkhole remediation permit shall be obtained from the county building department prior to any remediation work being started."; "Sinkhole remediation may only be conducted under the direction or supervision of a Florida licensed professional engineer."; and the post-remediation report lists "all remediation activities conducted on the property" and "all materials, including quantities, used and the cost of all such materials and labor", and "shall be recorded in the public records of Hernando County within thirty (30) days of its completion."
13. City of Brooksville, Building Division, City Hall, 201 Howell Avenue, 352-540-3853 - "The City of Brooksville Building Division handles all building permit activity including applications and inspections."; "Search on the Hernando County Property Appraiser's Webpage"; "If the Levy Code shows CWBE, your property is in our jurisdiction."; "If the Levy Code shows CWES, your property is out of our jurisdiction. Please contact the Hernando County building department."; and "Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system before obtaining the building official's approval or the necessary permits shall be subject to a penalty of 100% of the usual permit fee in addition to the required permit fees."
14. Hernando County central GIS, parcel layer - queried September 22, 2026. The layer codes each parcel's jurisdiction as Brooksville or county; no other city code appears. 35,968 parcels carry a Brooksville mailing city, and 4,289 of them are coded Brooksville, about 12 percent. Of the 54,032 parcels with a Spring Hill mailing city and the 20,127 with a Weeki Wachee mailing city, none is coded Brooksville.
15. City of Brooksville, Permits Portal - the city's permit system, linked from the Building Division page, the same one our own software reads for a home inside the city.
16. Florida Statute 553.79, 2026 - it is unlawful "to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit"; "A building permit issued by a local government for a single-family dwelling expires 1 year after the issuance of the permit or on the effective date of the next edition of the Florida Building Code, whichever is later."; and the exemption for "any work valued at less than $7,500" on the owner's single-family property, which does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work", where "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph", and for which "the owner or the owner's contractor must submit a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract or other documentation demonstrating the nature and the value of the work to be performed."
17. Florida Statute 553.844(3)(a) - roof-deck re-nailing and a secondary water barrier are required when a roof covering is removed and replaced on a structure not permitted under the Florida Building Code, which is broadly homes built before 2002.
18. Florida Existing Building Code, section 707.4 - a replacement window "shall be designed and constructed to comply with Chapter 16 of the Florida Building Code-Building," with no count or area below which a replacement escapes.
19. Florida Statute 515.27 and 515.29, the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act - a residential pool must meet at least one of five safety features: a barrier, an approved safety pool cover, exit alarms on doors and windows, a self-closing self-latching device, or an approved swimming pool alarm. A barrier "must be at least 4 feet high on the outside."
20. Florida Statute 489.103(7) - the owner-builder exemption for a person improving their own property, and its conditions.