Demolition permit in Tallahassee, FL
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Tallahassee.
You need a demolition permit to tear down a building or part of one. Demolition is building work, and Florida's exempt list covers only gas, mechanical, and plumbing jobs, so it is not exempt. You must also handle the debris under the city's construction and demolition debris rules and protect any underground utilities before you start.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a demolition permit to tear down a building or p… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees come from a schedule the city commission adopts by resolution and are published by the city at www.talgov.com. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2; Sec. 3-554 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023; Tallahassee Land Development Code |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Tallahassee 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 the work before you get the permit, you owe a penalty of 100 percent of the usual permit fee on top of the normal fee, which makes it a double fee. Emergency work may start first, but you must apply within three business days.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tallahassee | — | Yes | You need a demolition permit to tear down a building or p… |
| Gainesville | 126 mi | Yes | You need a permit to demolish a structure or part of one.… |
| Jacksonville | 155 mi | Yes | You need a demolition permit to tear down a building or p… |
| Palm Coast | 191 mi | Yes | You need an approved demolition permit to tear down a str… |
| Clearwater | 193 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a demolition… |
| Largo | 197 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a demolition… |
Other work in Tallahassee
Questions people ask
How much does a demolition permit cost in Tallahassee?
The code lists no dollar amounts. Fees come from a schedule the city commission adopts by resolution and are published by the city at www.talgov.com.. 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?
Tallahassee 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.