Demolition permit in Orlando, FL
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Orlando.
You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or part of one. Orlando's code names the demolition permit in several places, and there is no exemption for it: the city adopted the Florida Building Code 2023 with no local exempt list, and the state list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing work. If the building is an Orlando historic landmark or stands in a historic preservation overlay district, the Historic Preservation Board must recommend demolition before the permit is issued, and you may also have to show an approved plan for what goes up in its place. Non-contributing and non-landmarked buildings in the Downtown Historic District are handled differently.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or … |
| Fee | The code names no demolition amount. Orlando publishes its permit fee schedule on the city site at www.orlando.gov. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; Sec. 59.102; historic review in Sec. 62.709 and Sec. 65.732 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Orlando (Sec. 13.1) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Orlando 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
Orlando'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | — | Yes | You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or … |
| Kissimmee | 12 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit to tear down a structure or … |
| Deltona | 34 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one is not on Florida'… |
| Melbourne | 42 mi | Yes | You need a permit to demolish a structure or part of one.… |
| Lakeland | 49 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a permit; if… |
| Daytona Beach | 55 mi | Yes | You need a Site Demolition and Restoration Permit to tear… |
Other work in Orlando
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in Orlando?
The code names no demolition amount. Orlando publishes its permit fee schedule on the city site at www.orlando.gov.. 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?
Orlando 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.