Demolition permit in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Fort Lauderdale.
Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a permit, and a debris hauling fee is charged when you apply for it.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a permit, an… |
| Fee | A roofing/demolition debris hauling fee is due at the time you file the demolition permit application, charged at a set rate per cubic yard. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Fort Lauderdale building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Fort Lauderdale's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | — | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a permit, an… |
| Lauderhill | 5 mi | Yes | You may not demolish any structure, or part of one, in th… |
| Plantation | 7 mi | Yes | You need a permit to demolish a structure or part of one.… |
| Tamarac | 8 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Davie | 9 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Coral Springs | 11 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a demolition… |
Other work in Fort Lauderdale
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in Fort Lauderdale?
A roofing/demolition debris hauling fee is due at the time you file the demolition permit application, charged at a set rate per cubic yard.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Fort Lauderdale can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.