Municipal permitting reference

How building permits work in Orlando

Orlando building permits are issued under the Florida Building Code (7th Edition, 2020) by the Permitting Services Division. Florida's state-preempted building code means the FBC is uniform statewide with limited local amendments. All contractors must hold DBPR state licenses or county certifications. Online submission is via the state-mandated My Permit Now platform. Wind engineering (ASCE 7, 90 mph zone) and floodplain compliance apply to all structural work in Orlando.

Responsible authority
City of Orlando — Permitting Services Division, Building & Fire Prevention
Indicative planning range
Simple residential: 3–6 weeks. Commercial: 6–16 weeks. Fast Track commercial: 2–4 weeks.

Planning orientation only; not a municipal service guarantee.

Typical permitting sequence

  1. 1

    Confirm zoning under Orlando LDC

    Check the Orlando Land Development Code district — Traditional City (T-1 through T-6), Activity Center, or Urban Village overlays. Activity Centers along Colonial Drive and Orange Blossom Trail have special design standards. Verify if the parcel is in a FEMA AE or AH flood zone.

  2. 2

    Development Review Committee (DRC) pre-application

    For major commercial projects, mixed-use developments, or new construction in special overlay areas, a pre-application DRC meeting helps confirm land use approvals, concurrency, and utility connections before permit submission.

  3. 3

    Verify DBPR contractor license

    All contractors must hold a Florida DBPR state license or Orange County certification. License numbers are required at permit submission and are verified against the DBPR online database.

  4. 4

    Submit via My Permit Now

    File through My Permit Now (Florida's state-mandated online portal). Upload FBC 7th Edition-stamped drawings, Florida Energy Code compliance documentation (FL Energy Code, based on IECC with FL amendments), wind analysis (ASCE 7, 90 mph basic), and floodplain compliance if applicable.

  5. 5

    Permitting Services plan review

    Examiners review for zoning compliance, FBC structural, MEP, fire, floodplain, and wind. Correction letters issued through My Permit Now. Fast Track is available for eligible commercial projects.

  6. 6

    Permit issuance

    Permit issued digitally through My Permit Now. Post permit on site (or display digital permit). Construction may begin.

  7. 7

    Inspections & CO

    Schedule inspections via My Permit Now: foundation, slab, framing, rough MEP, energy/insulation, and final. Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection passes.

Common permit categories

  • • Building (Residential / Commercial)
  • • Electrical
  • • Plumbing
  • • Mechanical
  • • Demolition
  • • Roof
  • • Pool
  • • Sign
  • • Short-Term Rental

Local considerations

  • • Short-term rental permits (for Airbnb/VRBO operations) require a separate City of Orlando Short-Term Rental permit in addition to any building permits.
  • • Orange County has jurisdiction outside Orlando city limits — confirm which authority applies before submitting. Boundaries are not always obvious along Orange Blossom Trail and other edges.

Primary municipal reference

Use the municipality's site for authoritative forms, fees, current service standards, codes, portal access, and project-specific requirements.

Open the official Orlando permit resource

Analyze actual permit activity

Compare this process overview with current municipality-reported filing counts, permit types, maps, neighborhoods, and address history.

View Orlando, FL permit statistics
How Building Permits Work in Orlando: Process & Timeline | PropertyLab