Building permits
frequently asked questionsQ. Do I need a permit for a fence?
A. Yes. Exemptions B1 - B9, I1 - I4, A1 - A4, and FR zoning classifications in the unincorporated area unless the fence is going around the pool as the required enclosure per the 2001 Florida Building Code.
Q. Do I need a permit to enclose a screened porch?
A. Yes
Q. Do I need a permit for a utility shed?
A. Yes
Q. Can I build my own house?
A. Yes, as long as the property is in your name and it is for your own use. Mobile homes require a licensed mobile home installer to apply for the permit under Florida Statute.
Q. How many sets of plans are needed for a house permit?
A. Two sets of plans signed and sealed by a Florida registered architect or engineer.
Q. How long is a permit valid?
A. A permit is valid for a period of six months.
Q. When is a Notice of Commencement required?
A. When the value of the work exceeds $2,500, or in the case of mechanical work $5000.
Q. Where do I file a Notice of Commencement?
A. In the Recording Section of the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office, 101 N Alabama Ave., DeLand, room A121, telephone number (386) 736-5912. In Daytona Beach, the office is in the City Island Courthouse, 125 E. Orange Ave., Room 100, telephone number (386) 257-6006. In New Smyrna Beach, the office is at 124 N. Riverside Dr., Room 2, telephone number (386) 423-3304.
Q. What do I need to do to get a Contractor’s License?
A. You need to contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Office at 1-850-487-1395.
Q. How much is an application fee for a permit?
A. For a single family home the fee is $108.19, for a mobile home the fee is $54.09. If required a tree permit fee of $39.62 may also be collected at submittal. For a new building on commercial property the fee is $216.38, and the fee for any other small permit residential or commercial is $32.45. The application fee is applied to the total permit fee for your project. Permit application fees are adjusted October 1 of every year. The application fee does not include impact fees. Impact fees are payable prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for your project.
Q. Do I need a permit for changing out my A/C unit?
A. Yes.
Q. Do I need a permit to redo the roof on my house?
A. Yes.
Q. Do I have to go to DeLand to apply for a permit?
A. No. We have two offices throughout the County to serve you. In DeLand, the office is at 123 W. Indiana Ave., Room 203, telephone number (386) 736-5959. In Daytona Beach, the office is at 250 N. Beach St., Room 104, telephone number (386) 254-4680.
Q. Where do I get a septic tank permit, irrigation permit and/or well permit?
A. From the Health Department/Environmental Health Division office that services your area. In DeLand, it is located at 1360 S. Woodland Blvd., telephone number (386) 822-6250. In Orange City, 2752 B Enterprise Rd., telephone number (386) 775-5289. In Daytona Beach, the office is at 1845 Holsonback Dr., telephone number (386) 274-0692. In New Smyrna Beach the office is at 717 W. Canal St., telephone number (904) 424-2061.
Q. Can I get a permit to do work on my rental house?
A. No. The only exemption to work on your own property is if it is for your own use and occupancy.
Q. Do I have to pay my re-inspection fees before I can get another inspection?
A. No.
Q. Do my plans have to be on the job site for inspection?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the permit cost based on?
A. Fair market value of labor and materials. For an estimate of the cost on your permit, contact our office.
Q. Can I delay any of the permit fees?
A. No. All permit fees are payable when the permit is issued. Only impact fees are deferrable until the construction is at the final inspection stage. Then any and all remaining fees are due and payable prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Q. Do you have a file for blanket power of attorney forms?
A. No. Each permit must stand on its own and have a letter of authorization that is job specific if the contractor does not sign the application and have it notarized.
Q. Do I need a permit for an above ground pool?
A. Yes.
Q. Can a handyman get a permit?
A. No.
Q. Where do I get an address for my property?
A. The Growth and Resource Management Department Graphics Division assigns addresses to property. You may contact them at (386)736-5959 in DeLand, (386) 2397776 in Daytona Beach or (386) 423-3367 in New Smyrna Beach.Q. Does the owner have to sign the application when a contractor is applying for the permit?
A. No. We do not require the owner(s) to sign at this time, however, when the new Florida Building Code is law, the owner(s) may be required to sign the application.
Q. When are inspectors available?
A. Between 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. each day. The numbers are (386) 822- 5739 in West Volusia and (386) 239-7758 in Daytona Beach. Press #5 to get a list of inspectors.
Q. Can I build in a Flood Zone?
A. Yes, if you build your lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation. There is specific documentation required if your property is in a flood zone or adjacent to a flood zone.
Q. Who can tell me what I am allowed to build on my property?
A. The Growth and Resource Management Department Zoning Activity office. In DeLand, call (386) 943-7059 ext. 5522. In Daytona Beach, call (386) 254-4685. In New Smyrna Beach call (386) 424-6815 ext. 5522.
Q. Can I have subcontractors do some of the work on my job?
A. Yes. They must have a valid license for their particular trade.
Q. When I call in for an inspection, when will it be done?
A. In most cases by the following working day for building inspections.
Q. What if I don’t get my construction done in the allotted time?
A. You can apply for two, ninety-day extensions for the life of your permit after the first inspection.
Q. If I am adding living area to my house, are there any other departments to deal with?
A. If you are adding or altering more than 100-square-feet of living area (including glass/Florida rooms), you will need to contact the Health Department if you are on a septic tank to verify that your tank is adequate for the additional square footage.
Q. When my house is complete, are there any fees that must be paid before I can move in?
A. Possibly. Most properties must pay storm water utility fees and solid waste collection fees.
Q. Where do I find my tax parcel number?
A. It appears on your tax bill or you can get it from the Property Assessor’s office.
Q. When can I have my power turned on?
A. Once all of the inspections are complete and all outstanding fees have been paid.
Q. Can my Notice of Commencement be filed in another county?
A. No, it must be filed in the county where the work is being performed.
Q. Who is allowed to call for an inspection?
A. Whoever is listed as the contractor of record.
Q. Do I need sanitary facilities on my job site?
A. Once work commences on the job site, toilet facilities must be provided.
Q. How far from my property line can I erect a structure?
A. Growth and Resource Management's Zoning office determines what the setbacks should be for your particular job. In DeLand, call (386) 943-7059; in Daytona Beach, call (386) 254-4685 and in New Smyrna Beach, call (386) 424-6815.
Q. When is a compaction test required?
A. When you have more than 32" of fill or the bottom of your footers don’t rest on virgin soil.
Q. How do I schedule inspections?
A. By calling the VRU (Voice Response Unit) or one of the Building Permit offices during working hours. The numbers are in DeLand, (386) 736-5928; in Daytona Beach, (386) 254-4656 and in New Smyrna Beach, (386) 423-3366.
Q. What are your office hours?
A. Our DeLand office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and our Daytona Beach office is open from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. No applications may be started in either office after 4:30 p.m.
Q. What is the latest time I can schedule an inspection?
A. 9 p.m. of the previous day.
Q. Do I go to the City or County to apply for a permit?
A. For incorporated areas of the County you would go to that particular city. For unincorporated areas you would go to the County. Permits for the City of DeBary are currently handled by the County.
Q. Do I need a permit to change out the plastic face of a sign?
A. No.
Q. Do I need a survey to get a permit?
A. Yes. An originally signed and sealed boundary survey and 2 plot plans that are duplicate copies of the survey showing the proposed improvements such as area to be cleared, new construction, mobile homes, accessory structures, fences and additions/alterations which affect the building footprint. The original survey shall be no more than five years old and will be retained on file as part of the permanent permit record. If the survey is more than five years old, you will need to obtain a statement from a Florida attorney or Florida title company that the survey has not changed.
Q. What Codes do you use?
A. 2001 Florida Codes, Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas. 1999 National Electric Code.
Q. As an owner/contractor, do I have to come in to apply for my permit or can I send someone else in my place?
A. State statute requires you to personally appear and sign the application in our office. We must notarize your signature on the application.
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Copyright © 2001 Volusia County, Florida.
