Overview

The Building Division is designed to help Sarasota County property owners, building contractors and permit agents with the permitting process. This includes:

• Permitting Centers
• Plan Review
• Inspections
• Licensing and Enforcement
  • Contractor Licensing
  • Unlicensed/Unpermitted Enforcement
  • Unfit/Unsafe Structures

It is in your best interest to ensure that the contractor you hire is licensed and insured to perform work in Sarasota County.

Contractors and registered users can access their information online and keep track of permits linked to their license in our Online Permitting Services page (external).

Important Notices

Electronic Payment Update

Starting November 24, 2025, Sarasota County will transition to a new payment processor. A surcharge will be charged for certain transactions. Please view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide for more information. 

Exterior Appliances

Please be aware that the Florida Building Code requires that exterior appliances (such as HVAC units) located in a flood zone (flood hazard areas) and damaged by flooding must be elevated when they are replaced.  The following code sections should be reviewed:

• Florida Building Code Existing Eight Edition (2023) CHAPTER 7,ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 1, SECTION 701 GENERAL, [BS] 701.3 Flood hazard areas. 
• Florida Building Code Residential Eight Edition (2023) SECTION R322, FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION, R322.1.6 Protection of mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. 

In order to determine if a structure is in a flood zone, please visit Sarasota County property appraiser site. https://www.sc-pa.com/propertysearch Enter the address, search and on the bottom of the page you can find the required elevation.

Storm Related Permitting

Click here if you're a private property owners seeking more information on disaster recovery.

Helpful tip: When applying for a permit in Accela, select "Storm Related" project type. For more information, please call 941-861-5000 or email building@scgov.net. 

FEMA New Flood Maps

Click here for more information or to get assistance regarding the new FEMA flood maps.

Building Code

Effective December 31, 2023, all building applications will be subject to the 8th Edition 2023 Florida Building Code and the National Electric Code 2020. Click here for the significant changes (external).

Please continue to visit this page for updates.

Online Services

More information on these services is available below.

• Contractor Application for your mobile device: schedule inspections, pay fees, monitor plan review status
• Selectext for inspection scheduling and texted results: 855-975-3036
• Inspections Hotline (staffed during normal operating hours): 941‑861‑3271 or 3273
• IVR voice phone system (schedule inspections and pay fees): 941‑861‑6441 (available in Spanish)
• Online permitting: permitting, inspections, plan review status and pay fees
• Electronic permitting on select permit types
• Use email to communicate to building@scgov.net
• Please call 941‑861‑5000 with any other questions or concerns

Please note the county is following CDC guidelines on social distancing and cleanliness.

• Permitting Centers: We are conducting business by using online service options, phone and email.
  • If in person service is mandatory, you will need to remotely sign in using the QLess application on your phone and wait in your car until summoned to avoid waiting rooms.
  • Please note you may experience increased wait times and will be health screened.
• Inspections: *JUNE UPDATE* The PDS Building Division is updating restrictions on certain inspections types performed in occupied structures that pose a risk to staff and occupant that do NOT pose life safety concerns.
  • Effective immediately, until further notice inspection staff will be instructed to ask prior to entering the structure if anyone within the residence or structures is ill or not well.
    • If any individual is ill or sick the inspection will be cancelled.
    • Any home or building with anyone who has any symptoms or exposure to Coronavirus must not schedule an inspection.
    • The inspector still has the ability to cancel an inspection, if they feel unsafe or have any concerns about entering the structure.
    • Vacant structures will be inspected with normal procedures.
  • If all is well and entry is allowed, the inspector will encourage the owner to open and close the entry doors to avoid the staff member from touching these surfaces. Each inspector will practice the 6 ft social distancing, limit contract with any surfaces and once inspection is complete all paperwork will be documented outside of the structure.
  • Review the Occupied Structures Inspections Update section for inspections that require entry into an occupied structure.
• Plans Review: Submit online for online processing when available. Online access registration forms are available to get started. All communication on plan review comments will be sent by email and any further discussions or code questions will be handled by phone or conference calls.

Please continue to check this page for updates.

Current Codes

• 2020 National Electrical Code
• 2023 Florida Building Code 8th Edition
  • Building
  • Existing Building
  • Residential
  • Plumbing-Fuel
  • Mechanical
  • Accessibility

Additional Information

• Florida Building Code (external)
• State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) License Search (external)
• Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Product Approval (external)
• Sarasota County Property Appraiser Real Property Search (external)

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