FLORIDA BUILDING PERMIT GUIDE

Florida Building Permit Drawings

If you're planning to build, remodel, or add onto a home in Florida, one of the first things you'll likely need is a complete set of building permit drawings.

Whether you're building a room addition in Orlando, converting a garage in Tampa, installing a new lanai in Naples, or constructing a custom home in Jacksonville, your local building department will typically require construction drawings before issuing a permit.

Although Florida uses statewide building codes, permits are reviewed and approved by local cities and counties. That means the exact requirements for your project may vary depending on where it's located.

At Draft My Plans, we prepare permit-ready residential drawings for homeowners, contractors, and real estate investors throughout Florida. Our goal is to produce clear, accurate plans that satisfy local building department requirements while making the permitting process as smooth as possible.

What Are Building Permit Drawings?

Building permit drawings are the technical plans submitted to your local building department for review before construction begins.

These drawings show how the project will be built, allowing plan reviewers to verify that it complies with applicable building codes, zoning regulations, structural requirements, and safety standards.

A permit set is much more than a simple floor plan. Depending on the scope of work, it may include structural information, foundation details, framing layouts, elevations, sections, energy documentation, and other information needed for plan review.

What Projects Usually Require Permit Drawings in Florida?

Most structural or permanent improvements require building permits, and those permits usually require construction drawings.

Some of the most common residential projects include:

• Room additions

• Home additions

• Garage conversions

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• Guest houses

• Detached garages

• Workshops

• Carports

• Patio covers

• Lanais

• Screen enclosures

• Pergolas

• Covered patios

• Structural remodels

• Removing load-bearing walls

• New windows and exterior door modifications

• Roof structure modifications

• New custom homes

• Duplexes and residential developments

Smaller cosmetic improvements, such as painting, flooring, cabinetry, or replacing finishes, may not require permit drawings, but structural work almost always does.

If you're unsure whether your project requires a permit, it's best to verify with your local building department before beginning construction.

What Is Typically Included in a Permit Drawing Set?

Every project is different, but a typical residential permit package may include several types of drawings depending on the scope.

Site Plan

The site plan shows where the proposed construction will be located on the property.

It typically identifies:

• Property lines

• Existing structures

• Proposed construction

• Building setbacks

• Driveways

• Easements

• Distances to property lines

• North arrow

• Lot dimensions

Many jurisdictions require a current property survey before a site plan can be completed accurately.

Existing & Proposed Floor Plans

Floor plans are usually the foundation of the entire drawing set.

They show:

• Room layouts

• Wall locations

• Doors

• Windows

• Dimensions

• Room names

• Plumbing fixtures

• Cabinet layouts

• Stair locations

For remodels and additions, permit drawings often include both existing and proposed floor plans so reviewers can clearly understand the changes being made.

Foundation Plan

The foundation plan shows how the structure will be supported.

Depending on the project, this may include:

• Slab dimensions

• Footings

• Stem walls

• Foundation reinforcement

• Pier locations

• Anchor bolts

• Hold-downs

• Foundation notes

Florida's soil conditions can vary considerably from one area to another, so foundation requirements may differ depending on the project location.

Roof Plan

Roof plans illustrate:

• Roof slopes

• Ridge locations

• Valleys

• Hips

• Roof overhangs

• Drainage direction

• New versus existing roof areas

Projects involving additions often require careful coordination between the existing roof and the new structure.

Exterior Elevations

Exterior elevations show what the completed project will look like from each side.

These drawings commonly include:

• Building height

• Exterior finishes

• Roof pitch

• Window locations

• Door locations

• Grade lines

• Overall appearance

Building departments frequently use elevations to verify zoning compliance and building height limitations.

Building Sections

Sections are cut-through views of the structure.

They help explain construction details that cannot easily be shown on floor plans.

Sections often illustrate:

• Foundation connections

• Wall framing

• Roof framing

• Ceiling heights

• Insulation

• Floor assemblies

• Structural connections

Structural Details

Structural sheets explain how the building will safely support required loads.

Depending on the project, these drawings may include:

• Beam details

• Header sizes

• Connection details

• Hurricane straps

• Hold-downs

• Anchor bolts

• Framing details

• Roof connections

• Post connections

These details become especially important for additions, patio covers, screen enclosures, and projects involving large openings.

Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing Layouts

Some projects require additional layouts showing:

• Lighting

• Receptacles

• Smoke detectors

• HVAC equipment

• Exhaust fans

• Plumbing fixtures

• Water heater locations

• Mechanical ventilation

The required level of detail depends on both the project scope and local jurisdiction.

Energy Code Documentation

Many residential additions and conditioned spaces require energy compliance documentation.

Depending on the project, this may include:

• Insulation values

• Window specifications

• HVAC information

• Building envelope details

• Energy calculations

Florida places significant emphasis on energy efficiency for conditioned living spaces.

Florida Building Requirements That Affect Your Plans

Florida has several construction requirements that are more significant than in many other states.

Understanding these early helps avoid plan review comments later.

Hurricane Wind Design

Florida experiences some of the highest design wind speeds in the United States.

Because of this, building departments pay close attention to structural connections and wind resistance.

Plan reviewers commonly evaluate:

• Roof framing

• Roof sheathing attachment

• Hurricane straps

• Structural connectors

• Beam sizing

• Roof-to-wall connections

• Continuous load path

• Foundation anchorage

• Uplift resistance

Outdoor structures like pergolas, patio covers, detached garages, and screen enclosures often require additional structural review because they are highly exposed to wind forces.

Flood Zones

Many Florida properties are located within FEMA flood zones.

Depending on the property's location, permit applications may require additional information such as:

• Finished floor elevations

• Flood zone verification

• Elevation certificates

• Flood-resistant construction methods

• Foundation elevations

• Utility elevations

If your property is located in a flood hazard area, these requirements should be addressed early in the design process.

High Water Tables

In many parts of Florida, groundwater is located relatively close to the surface.

This can affect:

• Foundation design

• Drainage

• Footing construction

• Excavation methods

• Site grading

Some projects may require additional engineering depending on soil conditions and groundwater levels.

Energy Efficiency

Florida requires compliance with modern residential energy codes.

For many projects, reviewers verify:

• Insulation

• Window performance

• Exterior doors

• Air sealing

• HVAC efficiency

• Building envelope requirements

Proper documentation helps reduce plan review delays.

Drainage & Site Grading

Because Florida receives substantial rainfall throughout the year, drainage is an important part of many permit reviews.

Building departments may review:

• Site grading

• Roof drainage

• Swales

• Water runoff

• Drainage direction

• Finished grades

Proper drainage helps protect both the new construction and neighboring properties.

Do I Need a Structural Engineer?

Not every residential project requires a structural engineer, but many do.

Projects that commonly require structural engineering include:

• Large room additions

• Removing load-bearing walls

• Second-story additions

• Large beam installations

• Screen enclosures with long spans

• Custom homes

• Elevated foundations

• Coastal construction

• Projects with unusual structural conditions

For smaller projects, prescriptive framing methods allowed by the residential code may be sufficient.

When engineering is required, we coordinate with licensed structural engineers as part of the permitting process.

How Long Does the Permit Process Usually Take?

Permit timelines vary considerably depending on the city, county, and complexity of the project.

A typical process often looks like this:

Step 1 — Gather Project Information

This includes photos, measurements, surveys, sketches, HOA requirements, and any information received from the building department.

Step 2 — Prepare Construction Drawings

Permit drawings are created based on the proposed design and applicable building codes.

Step 3 — Submit to the Building Department

The plans are submitted for plan review.

Some jurisdictions allow online submissions, while others still require additional documentation.

Step 4 — Plan Review

Reviewers evaluate the drawings for:

• Building code compliance

• Structural requirements

• Zoning

• Floodplain regulations

• Energy code

• Life safety

Step 5 — Corrections (If Needed)

It is completely normal to receive review comments.

Most projects require at least one round of revisions before approval.

Step 6 — Permit Approval

Once comments are resolved, the permit can be issued.

Step 7 — Construction & Inspections

During construction, inspectors verify that the work matches the approved permit drawings.

Common Reasons Permit Plans Get Rejected

Receiving corrections does not necessarily mean the drawings were poorly prepared.

Many jurisdictions routinely issue review comments.

Some common reasons include:

• Missing dimensions

• Incomplete site plans

• Incorrect setbacks

• Missing structural details

• Beam sizes not identified

• Incomplete framing information

• Missing connector details

• Energy documentation errors

• Missing notes

• Conflicting information between sheets

• Incomplete foundation details

• Missing product approvals when required

Responding quickly and accurately to review comments usually keeps the project moving.

Do I Need an Existing Survey?

Many Florida jurisdictions require a property survey before permit approval, especially for:

• Additions

• Detached structures

• New homes

• Pools

• Garages

• Accessory buildings

A survey helps verify:

• Property boundaries

• Existing structures

• Easements

• Setbacks

• Utility locations

If you already have a recent survey, it can significantly simplify the permitting process.

What If I Live in an HOA?

Many Florida neighborhoods are governed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs).

HOA approval is separate from the building permit process.

In many communities, you'll need approval from the HOA before construction begins.

HOA review may evaluate:

• Exterior appearance

• Roof materials

• Paint colors

• Building size

• Setbacks

• Landscaping

• Fencing

Obtaining HOA approval early can help avoid delays later.

Florida Cities We Commonly Work In

We prepare permit drawings for residential projects throughout Florida, including:

• Miami

• Orlando

• Tampa

• Jacksonville

• Fort Lauderdale

• Naples

• Sarasota

• Cape Coral

• St. Petersburg

• Fort Myers

• Tallahassee

• Gainesville

• Pensacola

• Clearwater

• Boca Raton

• West Palm Beach

• Lakeland

• Kissimmee

As well as surrounding cities and counties across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I always need permit drawings?

Not always. Minor cosmetic work may not require permits, but structural work, additions, garages, patio covers, and most permanent improvements typically do.

Can I draw my own permit plans?

Some Florida jurisdictions allow homeowners to prepare their own plans for projects on their primary residence. However, the drawings must still meet the building Department's requirements, and many projects require engineering or other supporting documents.

How long does plan review take?

Review times vary by jurisdiction and workload. Some smaller projects may be reviewed within a few days, while larger or more complex projects can take several weeks.

Will I need structural engineering?

It depends on the project. Many structural modifications, large additions, long-span beams, and coastal projects require engineering.

Can construction begin before the permit is approved?

No. Construction should generally not begin until the permit has been issued by the local building department.

What happens if I receive plan review comments?

Plan review comments are a normal part of the permitting process. The requested revisions are made, resubmitted, and reviewed again until the project satisfies the building department's requirements.

Why Choose Draft My Plans?

We specialize in preparing residential permit drawings designed specifically for the permitting process.

Whether you're a homeowner building an addition, a contractor managing multiple projects, or an investor renovating properties throughout Florida, we work to produce clear, permit-ready drawings that simplify plan review and help keep your project moving.

We assist with projects ranging from small patio covers and garage conversions to custom homes, additions, detached structures, and complete residential permit sets.

Start Your Florida Permit Project

If you're planning a residential construction project in Florida, we'd be happy to help.

Simply send us:

• Your project address

• A brief description of the work

• Photos of the existing structure

• Sketches or existing plans (if available)

• Your property survey (if available)

• Any requirements you've already received from your city or county

We'll review your project, explain what's typically required for permitting, and help you prepare a complete set of permit-ready construction drawings for your local building department.