At a glance
- Who
- Homeowners in Hillsborough County, and the contractors who pull their permits.
- What
- Most construction needs a permit. Applications go through the county's HillsGovHub portal.
- When
- Before work starts. A certified Notice of Commencement is required before the first inspection.
- Where
- Hillsborough County Building Services. Questions go to Permitting@HCFL.gov.
- Why
- Permitted, inspected work protects you at resale and with insurance.
The short answer from the county
The county's homeowner permit page says: "Most construction requires approval and permits from Building Services." It adds that if you hire a contractor, the contractor obtains the permits. The county's online permitting portal is called HillsGovHub, and the alterations checklist says to apply online through it.
The county page does not say which addresses it covers. Hillsborough County also contains cities with their own offices. If you are not sure which office handles your address, email Permitting@HCFL.gov and ask before you apply.
Remodels and additions: what the checklist asks for
For residential alterations, renovations and interior remodels, the county's checklist lists two requirements worth knowing about.
- Notice of Commencement. A certified copy is required before the first inspection, under Florida Statutes section 713.13. Our guide to the notice of commencement explains what it is.
- Plans. They must follow the current Florida Building Code and be digitally signed and sealed by a Florida-registered architect or engineer.
The county also says a bathroom remodel where plumbing work is involved would likely require a permit. Moving or adding plumbing is what usually triggers it, so ask before you start.
Planning a project in south Hillsborough?
Leave your name and number. We call back by the next business day to set up a free in-home visit.
Prefer to talk now? Call or text (941) 284-2218.
Work the county lists as not needing a permit
The county says work that does not need a permit is typically cosmetic. Its examples include cabinet work, floor coverings, painting, shelving, tile and wallpapering. Its separate exempt-work list adds fascia, soffit and gutters, plus routine maintenance that does not change structural parts, "regardless of cost." It also lists residential sheds and greenhouses under 150 square feet. Fences are on the list too, and we cover them in our Hillsborough fence permit guide.
The county also says that if you have an HOA or condo association, check its rules even when no county permit is required.
The $7,500 state-law exemption
The county's exempt-work page describes a conditional exemption under state law (HB 803). It says non-structural work on a single-family home valued under $7,500 would be exempt. Its examples are siding, soffit, exterior window replacement, exterior door replacement and non-structural roof repair or replacement. The county lists conditions that take a job out of the exemption:
- The work costs $7,500 or more.
- The property is wholly or partly in a flood hazard area.
- The work includes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work.
The county page also says an application must still go through HillsGovHub. We could not confirm the bill text ourselves, so treat this as the county's reading and confirm it for your job.
What we could not confirm
The pages we read do not give permit fees, review times or a phone number for permitting. A few third-party websites list fees and review times, but they do not agree with each other, so we left them out. For anything not on the county pages, use the one contact the county names: Permitting@HCFL.gov.
Email Permitting@HCFL.gov with your address and a plain description of the job. Ask whether it needs a permit and which office handles your address.
Questions to ask before you apply
The county pages are clear about the portal and the exempt list. They leave out fees, review times and a permitting phone number. These questions fill the gap, and Permitting@HCFL.gov is the contact the county names.
- Does my job need a permit, and which office handles my address?
- Is my property in a flood hazard area? The county's state-law exemption does not apply in one, wholly or partly.
- Will my plans need to be signed and sealed by an architect or engineer? The alterations checklist says they must be.
- What does the permit cost and how long is review right now? Neither is on the pages we read.
- Is my HOA or condo association approval needed first?
Write down the name of whoever answers and the date. If your contractor pulls the permit, ask for the permit number so you can follow it yourself.
Why it pays to ask even when the job looks small
The county's exempt list is about non-structural, cosmetic and routine-maintenance work. A job can start as paint and tile and grow into moved plumbing or a changed wall. That is when it crosses the line. If the scope changes mid-job, stop and check again. Our guide to bathroom remodel permits in Florida walks through that exact situation, and our change orders guide explains how to keep a written record when the scope moves.
How Hildebrand handles Hillsborough County projects
Hildebrand Construction & Remodeling is a family-owned Florida Certified Building Contractor (license CBC1257253), based in Palmetto. We take on larger projects in south Hillsborough, including Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Riverview and Brandon.
We pull the required permits and meet the Florida Building Code inspections. If you have an HOA, you file the application and we provide the specs and drawings. We give a free in-home consultation and a written estimate with no trip fee. See our process. Call or text (941) 284-2218, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Calls and forms outside those hours are answered the next business day.
Questions homeowners ask
What is HillsGovHub?
It is Hillsborough County's online permitting portal. The county's residential alterations checklist says to apply online through it.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Hillsborough County?
The county says a bathroom remodel where plumbing work is involved would likely require a permit. Cosmetic work like tile or painting is typically exempt.
Who do I contact with a Hillsborough permit question?
The county's alterations checklist says to send questions about which work needs a permit to Permitting@HCFL.gov.
Do I need an architect or engineer for a Hillsborough remodel permit?
The county's checklist for alterations and renovations says plans must be digitally signed and sealed by a Florida-registered architect or engineer.
Get a free in-home estimate in south Hillsborough
Hildebrand is a Florida licensed contractor serving Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Riverview and Brandon for larger projects. Book a free in-home consultation and written estimate.