Fence permit in Plantation, FL
Yes — you need a permit for fence work in Plantation.
You need a permit to build, replace, or extend a fence or privacy wall, whatever its height. Florida's list of work that skips a permit covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing jobs, so no fence is exempt. Plantation's own fee table lists fences as a permit, which confirms this. The height and screening rules in the zoning code (Sec. 20-160 and Sec. 27-296) are a separate matter and do not take the place of the permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a permit to build, replace, or extend a fence or… |
| Fee | The fee is 1.75% of the subcontract cost, with a minimum permit fee of $95. Exact amounts are set by the city fee schedule at www.plantation.org. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; Sec. 5-7 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023, as adopted by Plantation (Sec. 5-9) |
Most building codes exempt a fence up to 7 ft tall. Plantation is stricter — a permit applies at any height.
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.
If you skip it
If you start work without a valid permit, the city charges a double permit fee; the code sets a charge of $400 or double the fee, whichever is greater.
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 | You need a permit to build, replace, or extend a fence or… |
| Sunrise | 3 mi | Yes | Building, replacing, or extending a fence needs a permit.… |
| Lauderhill | 3 mi | Yes | Building, replacing, or extending a fence or privacy wall… |
| Davie | 3 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Tamarac | 5 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Fort Lauderdale | 7 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
Other work in Plantation
Questions people ask
How much does a fence permit cost in Plantation?
The fee is 1.75% of the subcontract cost, with a minimum permit fee of $95. Exact amounts are set by the city fee schedule at www.plantation.org.. 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.