Do I need a permit for a concrete patio in Manatee County?

What we found, and what we did not

The county's Permitting Section page lists "Concrete" as a standard permit type. The county FAQ says a Concrete permit requires building plans, a site plan or survey, and an erosion form. The FAQ does not say whether patios or driveways are covered, and we found no size limit.

So the honest answer is that we cannot tell you from official text whether your patio needs a permit. We will not guess. Ask the office, using the questions below.

What to ask the county

Call the Permitting Section at 941-748-4501 ext. 3800 or email permitting@mymanatee.org. Ask:

1. Does a concrete patio on my lot need a Concrete permit?
2. Is there a size at which that changes?
3. Do I need an erosion form, a site plan or a survey?
4. Are there setbacks from property lines or easements for my patio?
5. Can you confirm your answer by email?

Keep the reply. If a later owner or buyer asks about the patio, your email is your record. See open permits when selling a home.

Easements, drainage and flood zones

The county says pools and screen enclosures cannot encroach on easements or drainage swales. That rule is about pools, but it shows why the office wants a site plan or survey for work near lot lines. The county also asks for an erosion form with a Concrete permit. Ask the office how your lot's drainage fits in.

The county also says any grade change or fill in the floodplain requires a permit. Check your flood zone with the county's tools on its flood page.

Patio, screen enclosure or pool deck?

If the patio sits under a roof, inside a screen enclosure or beside a pool, say so when you call. The county lists a 5 foot setback from side and rear property lines for pools and screen enclosures. For a roofed patio or an outdoor kitchen, read our page on outdoor living areas.

Concrete or pavers

Material changes the price and the finished look, not the permit conversation. If you have not chosen yet, see concrete patio vs pavers in Florida.

If you live in Bradenton or Palmetto

Each city has its own office. We found no patio rules on either city page. Palmetto says minor construction projects also need permits and to call 941-721-2166 if unsure. See Palmetto and Bradenton.

What to have ready before you call

• The patio size, in feet by feet.
• Where it goes on the lot, and how close it is to each property line.
• Whether it replaces an existing slab or is new.
• Whether the lot slopes toward the house or a neighbor.
• Your survey, if you have one.

The county's Concrete permit asks for plans, a site plan or survey and an erosion form, so these details help the office answer fast.

Timing

A Manatee County permit expires after 180 days if no required inspection has been approved. The county has not published a review time on the pages we read, so ask the office for the current wait before you book a pour date. Our page on permit expiration has more.

Check your contractor's license

Before anyone pulls a permit for you, check their license at myfloridalicense.com. It is free and takes a minute. Hildebrand Construction & Remodeling holds Florida Certified Building Contractor license CBC1257253 and has been licensed since 2009. Our page on how to check a contractor license walks through it step by step.

How Hildebrand handles concrete patios

Hildebrand Construction & Remodeling installs concrete patios. We pull every permit the job requires, and one licensed contractor runs the whole job. We quote after an on-site visit, so we see the slope, the lot lines and the access before pricing. See our concrete patios. Call or text (941) 284-2218, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

Questions homeowners ask