Permits and Inspections in Southwest Florida: What Homeowners Should Know

If you are planning a new build, remodel, or trade work in Southwest Florida, understanding when permits are required and how inspections work will help you avoid delays and stay compliant with the Florida Building Code. IBA serves Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties—we pull permits and coordinate inspections in all four, so your project stays on schedule and meets local requirements.

In general, a building permit is required when you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building or structure, or when you install, alter, repair, or replace electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems regulated by the code. That covers most new construction, room additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, HVAC and electrical upgrades, roof replacements, and significant concrete work. Some minor repairs or cosmetic-only work may be exempt; rules and dollar thresholds can vary by county. We identify what is needed for your scope during the estimate and handle the permit process so you have one less thing to manage.

At IBA, we pull permits in the counties we serve and build permit timing into the project schedule. Inspections are scheduled and documented in our system so there are no surprises—and so you always know where the project stands.

How it works in our service area

Lee County permits are managed by the Department of Community Development–Building Services (eConnect for online processing). Collier County uses e-permitting and the GMCD Public Portal for application, review, and inspection tracking. Charlotte and Sarasota each have their own building departments and processes. As your general contractor, we submit applications, pay fees, respond to plan review comments, and schedule inspections. Permit timing is included in the schedule we give you, and we keep daily logs and documentation so the project and the paperwork stay aligned. When all required inspections pass and any conditions are resolved, the local authority issues the final certificate of occupancy or completion.

If you are considering a project in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Punta Gorda, Venice, Sarasota, or surrounding communities, we can walk you through what permits apply and how long they typically take. Request a quote or contact us with your address or county, type of work, and timeline—we will provide a clear estimate and outline the permit and inspection steps for your job.