House Bill 803: Building Permit Exemption for Projects Under $7,500

A new state law now allows Pompano Beach homeowners — and their contractors — to perform certain minor home improvements on single-family homes without a building permit, as long as the cost of the Building portion of the work is under $7,500. Here's everything you need to know before you pick up a paintbrush or call a contractor.

What Is This Exemption?

Florida House Bill 803, signed into law on May 7, 2026, requires local governments throughout Florida to exempt qualifying homeowners and contractors from the building permit requirement for minor repair and maintenance work on single-family homes — as long as the cost of the Building portion of the work stays under $7,500 and the work doesn't touch structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas systems.

The exemption is not automatic and only applies to the Building permit portion of your project. You must complete a Building Permit Exemption Request application and submit it through the City's ePlan portal — the same way you would apply for a standard permit — before work begins. There is no fee.

Does My Home Qualify?

All four of the following must be true:

• Single-family home only. Duplexes, condos, apartments, and commercial properties do not qualify.
• Building portion cost under $7,500. The $7,500 threshold applies only to the labor and materials for the Building work being exempted — not the total project cost including any sub-trade work.
• Not in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Homes in flood zones A, AE, AH, AO, AR, A99, V, or VE are not eligible. Homes in zones X, B, C, or D do qualify. You can look up your flood zone at pompanobeachfl.withforerunner.com/properties.
• The Building exemption only covers the Building permit. If your project includes electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or gas work, or requires a Zoning Compliance or Engineering Division permit (such as for driveways or work in the right of way), those sub-permits are still required and must be applied for at the same time as your exemption request.

You don't need to own the home to apply — a licensed contractor can submit the request on the homeowner's behalf.

What Work Qualifies?

The following types of work typically qualify when the Building portion of the cost is under $7,500 and no excluded trades are involved:

• Interior and exterior painting and wallcovering
• Cabinet replacement (no plumbing or electrical connections)
• Drywall repair and finishing (non-structural)
• Trim, molding, and millwork installation
• Screen replacement on existing enclosures
• Gutter repair or non-structural gutter replacement
• Interior door replacement (no structural modifications)
• Window treatments and blinds (interior, no electrical work)
• Minor exterior repairs — fascia, soffit, wood rot (non-structural, no window or door openings)
• Standard wood fences (6 feet or less in height) and chain link fences (12 feet or less in height) — see note below

This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure whether your specific project qualifies, contact Building Services before starting work.

What Work Does NOT Qualify?

The following always require a standard building permit, regardless of cost:

• Structural work — anything affecting load-bearing walls, roof framing, or foundations
• Exterior windows and doors — installation or replacement of exterior windows and exterior doors is considered structural
• Electrical work — wiring, panel work, new circuits, solar systems, or meter replacements
• Plumbing work — pipes, fixtures, water heaters, or drain systems
• Mechanical work — HVAC installation, replacement, or repair
• Gas line work

How to Apply

Complete the Building Permit Exemption Request application and submit it through the City's ePlan portal — the same process you would follow for any standard permit application. Your submission must be received before work begins.

You will need to include:

1. Completed Building Permit Exemption Request application — covers property information, scope of work, and a signed affidavit certifying that the project hasn't been split from a larger project and doesn't include any excluded trade work. Download the application here.
2. Itemized cost estimate or signed contractor agreement — showing the labor and material costs for the Building work being exempted. Sub-trade costs (Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Gas, Zoning Compliance, Engineering) are submitted separately with their respective permit applications.

What Happens After You Apply?

Building Services will review your request within 3 business days of receiving a complete submission.

If Approved

You will receive a Permit Exemption Acknowledgment Letter. This letter serves in place of a permit card — keep it with your project records. Approved work must be completed within 180 days of the letter date.

If Denied

We will notify you of the specific reason for denial. You may then apply for a standard building permit using the same application number. You have 15 calendar days to appeal a denial to the Building Official.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Sub-Permits Are Still Required

The Building Permit Exemption only exempts the Building permit portion of your project. Any Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Gas, Zoning Compliance, or Engineering Division permits that apply to your work are still required and must be submitted alongside your exemption request through ePlan.

You Still Must Follow the Building Code

An exemption does not mean the work is code-free. All work must still comply with the Florida Building Code and applicable City ordinances, even without a required inspection.

No Building Inspection Required

Work covered by the Building permit exemption is not subject to a mandatory Building inspection. However, if any sub-permits are issued by the Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Gas, Zoning Compliance, or Engineering Division, the inspections required by those divisions are still required as normal. The Building Official also retains the authority to investigate and require corrections if unsafe conditions from exempt work are reported.

Your HOA Rules Still Apply

HB 803 does prohibit HOAs from requiring a City building permit as a condition of architectural review — but all other HOA rules remain fully in effect. Your HOA may still require its own approval before you begin work.

Check Your Homeowner's Insurance

Work performed without a permit may affect your homeowner's insurance coverage. Contact your insurance provider before starting if you have any questions about your policy.

Contractors Must Still Be Licensed

The exemption does not allow unlicensed contractor work. If you hire someone to do the job, they must hold a valid Florida license for the type of work being performed.

Don't Split a Larger Project

You may not divide a single project into multiple smaller requests to keep each one under $7,500. Building Services staff will evaluate the full scope of related work when reviewing requests.

Questions? Contact the Building Department.

Phone: (954) 786-4670
Email: building@copbfl.com
Address: 100 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33060