When a storm impacts our community, Orange County’s Division of Building Safety is here to help residents safely rebuild and repair their homes and businesses. This guide explains when a building permit is required, how to apply, and where to go for assistance.
Guide contents:
Why Permits Matter After a Storm
Permits ensure that repair work is performed safely and meets Florida Building Code standards. If you hire an unlicensed contractor and an injury occurs while doing work at your home or business, you may be held liable. Work completed without a permit that is discovered by a home inspector or title company may affect your ability to obtain homeowner's insurance, prevent the sale of your home, and cost you thousands of dollars in remediation as well as code compliance fines. Permits protect your family, your property, and your community.
How to Apply for a Permit
Homeowners and Contractors may apply for permits online through FastTrack.ocfl.net. To access the user guide and tutorial videos such as how to create a Fast Track Account and how to apply for permits, please visit the Fast Track Training Hub.
If in-person assistance is needed, you may visit one of our permitting service locations. You may also schedule appointments online.
Main Location
Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave
Orlando, FL 32801
Alternate Post-Storm Location (if activated)
Division of Building Safety Satellite Office
7682 Municipal Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Expedited Permitting For Storm Repairs
- Permit types that are typically associated with storm damage repair, such as roofing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing are already being issued within 24 hours (with a compliant application and associated documentation) as part of our regular dedication to quick turnarounds and outstanding customer service. In a post-storm recovery period, these types of permits will continue to be expedited.
- For larger permit types such as residential and commercial demolition, or alterations/repairs priority will be applied when customer indicates that the permit is related to storm recovery during the permit application process.
Types of Work That Require a Permit
- Roof repairs and replacements including shingles, sheathing, and structural components. See: Roof Permit and submission requirements.
- Structural repairs for damage to walls, beams, foundations, or trusses. See: Residential Building Permit and submission requirements or Commercial Building Permit and submission requirements.
- Window and exterior door replacements always require a permit. See: Windows and Doors Building Permit and submission requirements.
- Electrical system repairs including service panel replacement, rewiring, or generator installation. See: Electrical Permit and submission requirements.
- Plumbing system repairs including water heater replacement, piping repair, or sewer line work. See: Plumbing Permit and submission requirements.
- Mechanical system repairs including air conditioning unit replacement or major ductwork repairs. See: Mechanical Permit and submission requirements.
- Fences new installation or replacement of storm-damaged fences exceeding panel replacement require a permit. See: Fence Permit and submission requirements.
- Accessory structure repair or replacement such as sheds, carports, or screen enclosures. See: Residential Accessory Structure Building Permit and submission requirements.
- Swimming pools repair of structural or electrical systems. See: Swimming Pool Permit and submission requirements.
- Building Permits in a Flood Plain require a Floodplain Permit for the Building Permit to be approved. See Floodplain information below and the Flood Plain Permit and submission requirements webpage.
- Seawall, Dock, Boathouse and other lakeshore and wetland structure repairs require both a building permit and Environmental Protection Division review. See: Lakeshore & Wetland Impact Permit information.
Permit Fees
Permit Fees are based on factors such as project value and capacity. Fees are calculated and payable in Fast Track during the application review and permit issuance processes. Fees are published in the Orange County Fee Directory.
Fee reductions or a waiver period in the post-storm recovery period will be voted on by the Board of County Commissioners and will be posted on www.ocfl.net and FastTrack.ocfl.net.
Types of Work That Do Not Require a Permit
- Minor, cosmetic repairs such as painting, flooring, or drywall patching
- Replacement of broken glass in existing window frames (without changing size or type)
- Temporary protective measures such as tarps or boarding windows
If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact Orange County Permitting Services at 407-836-5550 before beginning work.
For Homeowners
- Fast Track Online Services provides access to browsing and permit research and inspections activity. You can find current and historical data, check the status of your permit, search permits by parcel or address, schedule inspections and follow the status of your scheduled inspection.
- How to Obtain Hurricane Repair Permits For Homeowners
The following items will be required by homeowners in order to obtain hurricane repair permits:
- Valid form of identification or a recorded warranty deed to determine ownership
- Submit a completed Permit application (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Roof) based on scope of work. Apply for permits on FastTrack.ocfl.net.
- Upload electronically signed and sealed construction plans (if required) with supporting documentation to Fast Track as part of your permit applications.
- Completed Owner Builder Disclosure Statement. Please click for instructions.
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Florida Statute Section 489.103(7) requires all property owners acting as their own contractor to complete the Owner-Builder disclosure statement and personally or virtually appear to sign for the building permit. This is an affidavit for contractor exemption under Florida Statute for a homeowner acting as a builder and applying for a building permit for their own home.
- If value of work exceeds $5,000 or $15,000 for mechanical replacement the following is also required:
For Contractors
- Fast Track Member Services offers permit applications, inspection scheduling for building and sub-trades permits such as electrical, plumbing, irrigation, gas, roofing and HVAC/mechanical contractors.
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How to Obtain Hurricane Repair Permits For Licensed Contractors
- You must have a valid contractor license, either State Certified or Registered with Orange
County and a Fast Track Member Services account.
Register for a Fast Track Member Services account as a contractor.
- Submit a completed Permit application (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Roof)
based on scope of work. Apply for permits on
FastTrack.ocfl.net.
- Upload signed and sealed construction plans (if required) with supporting
documentation to Fast Track as part of your permit applications
- If value of work exceeds $5,000 or $15,000 for mechanical replacement the following is also required:
Beware of Unlicensed Contractors
After a storm, unlicensed contractors may attempt to take advantage of residents. Always verify that contractors are properly licensed and insured before hiring them. You can check licenses online at the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation or FastTrack.ocfl.net.
Homeowners and contractors need to be vigilant about getting repairs made quickly and correctly to storm-damaged properties in the aftermath of a natural disaster. It's important for residents to be aware that work done without a permit may not be covered by homeowners’ insurance.
The Importance of Hiring a Licensed Contractor
Visit Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation to file a complaint and view unlicensed activity resources.
Contractor License Verification
Use either of these tools to verify your contractor's license:
Meter Reset Permits for Storm Damage
Meter Reset permits are issued when there are no repairs needed to
the electrical system. The purpose is to schedule an inspection to determine if it is
safe to be re-energized.
Meter Resets can be obtained by anyone, Contractors, Homeowners,
Tenants or Agents. There is no need to verify ownership or confirm that the
property is not listed under an LLC.
How to Apply
- To apply for a meter reset permit, you must have a Fast Track Online Services account and apply for an electrical permit. Select "meter reset" as the work type.
- If the inspector finds that work or repairs are required before releasing the
meter, an electrical repair permit will be required. Hiring a licensed electrical contractor is strongly encouraged if a repair permit is needed.
Note: The inspector must be able gain entry into the building, to perform
an inspection. It is very important to list the Building, Suite or Unit numbers
for power release purposes.
To access the user guide and tutorial videos such as how to create a Fast Track Account
and how to apply for permits, please visit the
Fast Track Training Hub.
Floodplain Permit and Substantial Improvement Letter Information
Any development located within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is required to obtain a Floodplain Permit from Orange County Stormwater Management Division prior to construction. Structures within the floodplain must comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum elevation standards and Chapter 19 of the Orange County Code, including elevating the lowest floor, servicing equipment, and garage slab at or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus one foot of freeboard for residential buildings.
How to Apply for a Floodplain Permit:
- Submit compliance documentation, including elevation certificates, design plans, and floodplain analyses (if applicable) to Orange County Public Works, Stormwater Management Division for review and approval. See Floodplain Permit information webpage.
Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage Letters:
- If your property is located within a FEMA-designated flood zone and has experienced damage or you plan to make improvements, you may need a Substantial Damage or Substantial Improvement determination from Orange County.
- To request a letter, please email: FloodPermits_Help@ocfl.net.
- Please Include the following information in your request:
- Property address and parcel ID number
- Property owner’s name and contact information
- Description of the proposed work or damage that occurred
- Building permit number (if available)
- Any supporting documents such as cost estimates, construction plans, or elevation certificates
- Orange County’s Stormwater Management Division will review your information and determine whether the proposed work or repairs meet the definition of substantial damage or substantial improvement, as required by the Orange County Floodplain Management Ordinance (Chapter 19) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Questions? We're Here to Help
Orange County Division of Building Safety is committed to supporting residents as they recover. For more information, visit FastTrack.ocfl.net or call our customer service line at (407) 836-5550.
The Division of Building Safety is located in the Orange County Administration Center at 201 S. Rosalind Ave., 1st Floor and is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.