⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, engineering, construction, or code-compliance advice. Permit requirements, timelines, fees, procedures, interpretations, and enforcement practices vary by jurisdiction (the city or county responsible, as applicable) and may change without notice. Always verify current requirements with your local building department and, when appropriate, consult a licensed contractor, architect, engineer, attorney, or other qualified professional before starting any project.
⚡ Update: Florida HB 803, Effective July 1, 2026
Starting July 1, 2026, Florida’s HB 803 requires local governments to exempt owners of single-family homes (and their contractors) from pulling a building permit for work valued at less than $7,500. It is not automatic: you must submit a written request to your building department with a copy of the contract or other proof of the work and its value. The exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work, to properties partly or fully in a flood hazard area, or to projects split up to stay under the limit. For projects that still require a permit, owner-builder rules remain the same. Always verify with your local building department first.
Short answer: yes, in many cases, but with important limitations. Florida law allows property owners to act as their own contractor (called owner-builder) and pull permits for work on a home they own and will use themselves. In plain words, owner-builder means you, the owner, take the contractor’s role and responsibilities on your own project. However, the rules are specific, vary by project type, and carry real personal liability.
What Florida Law Says
Florida’s owner-builder law allows property owners to act as their own contractor and pull building permits without a licensed contractor, as long as they meet specific conditions. The work must be on a one- or two-family home (or a farm outbuilding) that you own and will use or occupy yourself, not one you plan to sell or lease. A commercial building you own and use can also qualify if the project costs no more than $75,000. You must personally supervise on site any work not performed by licensed contractors and appear in person to sign the permit application (the law makes a specific exception for certain solar projects). If you sell or lease the property within one year after the work is finished, the law presumes you built it to sell or lease, and that can put the exemption at risk. It also does not let you hand the job to an unlicensed contractor or crew: any unlicensed worker must be your own employee, working under your direct supervision, with payroll taxes and workers’ compensation handled by you.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Generally allowed as owner-builder
- Roofing (with restrictions in some counties)
- Additions and renovations to your own home
- Fences, decks, and patios
- Window and door replacements
- Electrical and plumbing work (confirm with your building department first)
Generally NOT allowed as owner-builder
- Work on properties you don’t own, or that aren’t for your own use
- Building homes for sale or rent
- Commercial projects over $75,000
- Electrical or plumbing work your building department says must be done by a licensed contractor
The Owner-Builder Disclosure Form
When you pull a permit as an owner-builder in Florida, you must sign a disclosure statement acknowledging that you are taking on full responsibility for the work, including compliance with codes, safety, and any liability if something goes wrong. This is not optional: state law requires the signed disclosure before the permit can be issued.
The Real Risk: Insurance and Resale
Pulling your own permit is legal. But it comes with risk. If work is done incorrectly and causes damage or injury, you are the one responsible. The disclosure you sign warns that you may be liable if someone working for you is injured, and that your homeowner’s insurance may not cover those injuries. Check your own policy to see what it covers. Additionally, when you sell your home, buyers and their lenders will see that permits were pulled under an owner-builder exemption, which can raise questions about work quality.
What to Do Before You Decide
Before pulling your own permit, call your local building department (the city or county office that issues permits for your address) and confirm:
- Whether owner-builder is allowed for your specific project type
- What documentation you’ll need to submit
- Whether your county has any additional restrictions
- What inspections will be required and when
