Do you need a remodeling permit in Broward County? In most cases, yes. Since July 1, 2026, Florida’s House Bill 803 sets a clear line for single-family homes: cosmetic projects under $7,500 (parts and labor included) may be exempt from the permit process, while larger projects, and any project that touches plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical systems or structure, need the city’s building department involved. In Plantation, Sunrise, Davie and the rest of Broward, that rule shapes the budget and the timeline of almost every kitchen and bathroom remodel.
As a licensed General Contractor in Plantation since 1996, we handle permits every week. Here is what requires one, what it really costs, which projects may be exempt and what documents the city will ask for.
Remodeling permits in short (2026):
- Over $7,500 in parts and labor: the project needs a permit.
- Under $7,500: may be exempt in a single-family home, only for work that does not touch plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical systems or structure, and only with a written exemption request approved by your city before work starts.
- Condos: the $7,500 exemption does not apply.
- Real cost of permitting a kitchen remodel: about 10–15% of the project, including city fees, drawings, engineers and the extra time for every trade.
- Timeline: city approvals can add 1 to 2 months before demolition.
What Remodeling Projects Require a Permit?
Florida HB 803 created a permit exemption for smaller projects, but the exemption is narrow. In practice, these remodeling projects require a permit in Plantation and Broward County:
| Project | Permit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel over $7,500 | Yes | Above the exemption limit; also usually includes plumbing and electrical |
| Bathroom remodel over $7,500 | Yes | Above the limit; shower valves and drains are plumbing work |
| Any plumbing, electrical, gas or mechanical change | Yes, at any price | This work is regulated by the Florida Building Code and is never exempt |
| Removing or building walls | Yes | Structural review when a wall is load-bearing |
| Impact windows, exterior doors and roofing | Yes | Broward is in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone |
| Outdoor kitchens and pergolas | Usually | Gas, electrical and plumbing always need permits; structures often do |
| Flooring or cabinets only, under $7,500 (single-family) | May be exempt | With a written exemption request approved before work starts |
The City of Plantation states that a permit is required for the construction, alteration or repair of any building, and for all electrical and plumbing work, including gas lines. Each city in Broward runs its own building department, so forms, fees and review times vary from Fort Lauderdale to Weston.
How the $7,500 HB 803 Exemption Works
- 1Single-family homes only. Condos, multifamily and commercial properties are excluded.
- 2Total under $7,500, parts and labor, based on an estimate from a licensed contractor. Splitting one project into smaller ones to stay under the limit is not allowed.
- 3No code-regulated work: no electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas or structural work.
- 4Not in a flood hazard area.
- 5Written request first. The city has to receive and approve your exemption request, stating the project will not exceed the limit, before the work begins.
“It will always be a responsible action to check directly with your building department, because these laws may change according to the city where you live.”— Dasiel Duran, Owner, Fresh Remodel
What Are the Typical Costs of a Remodeling Permit?
The city fee is only one part of what a permit costs. Once the city is involved, the project needs drawings that meet the requirements of several departments, licensed contractors for each trade (usually at least three: electrical, plumbing and mechanical), and in many cases engineers, architects or drafters. Every trade also waits for reviews and inspections, and that time costs money.
“Between city fees, engineers, architects, drafters’ hours and the delays for every trade involved, permitting can increase the final cost of a kitchen remodel by 10 to 15 percent, all included.”— Dasiel Duran, Owner, Fresh Remodel
Cost of a Kitchen Renovation Permit: Examples
| Kitchen project total | Permitting at 10–15% (all included) |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | About $2,500–$3,750 |
| $40,000 | About $4,000–$6,000 |
| $60,000 | About $6,000–$9,000 |
Based on our experience with kitchen remodels in Broward. The exact amount depends on the city, the scope and the drawings required. For full kitchen budgets, see our 10×10 kitchen remodel cost guide.
Know Your Permit Costs Before You Start
We include permits, drawings and city timing in your estimate from day one. Free in-home consultation. 100% financing available.
Do I Need a Permit to Renovate My Bathroom?
If your bathroom remodel costs more than $7,500 in total, yes, the city has to be involved. Below that amount, you still need a permit if you change the shower valve, move a drain, convert a tub to a shower or add electrical circuits, because that work is never exempt. Replacing a vanity and mirror in the same spot, with no plumbing changes, in a single-family home, may qualify for the exemption with written approval.
At Fresh Remodel, we guide you through this from the first visit. We plan the scope so the permit process is as simple and fast as possible, and we include the city’s timing in your schedule. We never recommend splitting a project to stay under the limit; state law does not allow it. For bathroom budgets, see our bathroom remodel cost guide.
What Documents Do I Need for a Remodeling Permit?
Requirements vary by city and by project, but a remodeling permit in Broward County typically involves:
From the contractor
- State license and local registration with the city
- Proof of insurance (liability and workers’ compensation)
- Permit applications for each trade
- Signed affidavits and city forms
For the project
- Construction drawings or plans
- Engineering for structural changes
- Product approvals (windows, doors, roofing)
- Notice of Commencement for contracts over $5,000
A recorded Notice of Commencement is generally required for permitted jobs where the direct contract is more than $5,000 (air-conditioning repairs or replacements under $15,000 are an exception). It protects you from paying twice if a subcontractor or supplier is not paid.
Can I Be My Own Contractor? (Owner-Builder)
Florida allows homeowners to pull permits as owner-builders, depending on the project and the trades involved. But you take on the contractor’s responsibilities, and licensed subcontractors are still required for trades like electrical, plumbing and mechanical work. In Plantation, owner-builders also meet with a plan reviewer before applying.
At Fresh Remodel, we handle that entire process for you. We have a department specialized in permits that prepares the insurance certificates, affidavits, applications and documents the city requires before the project starts, so the process is faster and you have far fewer headaches.
Planning a remodel in Plantation or anywhere in Broward? Call (954) 859-5189 and we will tell you what permits your project needs.
How Permits Affect Your Timeline
When the city is part of the process, it becomes the biggest factor in the schedule. Turning construction drawings into city-approved plans, with the information every department requires, plus reviews and revisions, can add 1 to 2 months before demolition begins. We build that time into your schedule from the start.
Our Services and the Permits They Need
Whatever you are planning, the permit questions change with the project. These are the services we offer as a licensed General Contractor, and what to expect from the city for each one:
We also handle permits for roofing, home additions, pergolas and custom homes. Flooring and cabinet-only projects under $7,500 may qualify for the exemption; see what a new floor costs in our vinyl flooring installation cost guide.
Remodeling Permit in Broward County: FAQ
What remodeling projects require a permit in Florida?
Projects over $7,500 in parts and labor, and any project with plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical or structural work, regardless of cost. Windows, doors and roofing always need permits in Broward.
How much does a remodeling permit cost?
The city fee is only part of it. Including drawings, engineering, city fees and the extra time for every trade, permitting typically adds about 10–15% to the total cost of a kitchen remodel, in our experience.
What projects are exempt from a permit in Florida?
Under HB 803, single-family projects under $7,500 that do not involve code-regulated work (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas or structural), outside flood hazard areas, may be exempt after a written request is approved by the city.
Do I need a permit to renovate my bathroom?
Yes if it costs more than $7,500 or if it changes plumbing or electrical. Cosmetic updates under $7,500 in a single-family home may qualify for the exemption.
Who pulls the permit, me or the contractor?
Normally the licensed contractor. You can act as an owner-builder in some cases, but licensed subcontractors are still required for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.
This guide is general information as of November 2026, not legal advice. Requirements change and vary by city; always confirm with your building department before starting work.
Licensed, Permitted, Inspected
Showroom: 10089 Cleary Blvd, Plantation · Mon–Fri 10 AM–6 PM · Sat 10 AM–3 PM
Choosing who will build your project? Read our guide on how to find a general contractor in South Florida.