ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Plantation, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Plantation.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | New residential construction: Structural 0.90% + Electrical 0.40% + Plumbing 0.23% + Mechanical 0.16% of RSM/p; minimum permit fee $95. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 (no Building exemption); Sec. 5-9; fee Sec. 5-7 (Table 5-1) |
| Based on | Florida Building Code, Building, 2023 (Broward County), as adopted by Plantation Sec. 5-9 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Plantation 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.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Plantation'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Sunrise | 3 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Lauderhill | 3 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Davie | 3 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Tamarac | 5 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Fort Lauderdale | 7 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Plantation
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Plantation?
New residential construction: Structural 0.90% + Electrical 0.40% + Plumbing 0.23% + Mechanical 0.16% of RSM/p; minimum permit fee $95.. 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?
Plantation 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.