Do you need a permit to replace windows and doors in Florida?

The short answer: ask for a permit, not an exemption

Manatee County's Permitting Section lists "Door and Window" among its standard permit types, next to Electrical, Plumbing, Residential, Mechanical and Roof. A permit category made just for doors and windows tells you to expect a permit when you replace them.

We could not read the county's list of work that needs no permit, so we cannot tell you that any window job is exempt. The Florida Building Code has its own exempt-work list, and we could not open it either. Rules in other counties and cities can differ. Call your building department with your address and the type of job before you order anything.

How to apply in Manatee County

The county takes permit applications in its Accela Online Services portal. Its Permitting Section page says the first four express permit types need no documents before issuance, but it does not say whether Door and Window is one of them. Ask the office what to upload. Our Manatee County permit guide covers the portal and contacts.

Why the wind rules matter for replacements

Florida's code requires protection for exterior glass openings in a wind-borne debris region. A June 2025 report to the Florida Building Commission describes how the region is defined in the 2023 code. It covers areas with a design wind speed of at least 140 mph. It also covers areas within 1 mile of the mean high water line, at 130 mph or more, where open water and flat terrain upwind create an Exposure D condition. The report says the 2023 change also pulled in some inland areas near lakes and waterways with design wind speeds of 130 to 140 mph.

Whether your address sits in the region depends on the address. We did not find official wind speeds for Manatee or Sarasota County. The wind speed lookup named on the state's wind mitigation form is www.ascehazardtool.org. The report also says some stakeholders want to change the definition. It does not say whether that happened, so ask your building department what it applies today.

Check that the product is approved

Florida directs a statewide product evaluation and approval system under Florida Statutes section 553.842. The state's wind mitigation form describes its top two opening protection levels as products "listed as wind borne debris protection devices" in the Florida product approval system or by Miami-Dade County. The tests named on the form include ASTM E1886 and E1996 and the Miami-Dade and Florida protocols known as PA and TAS 201, 202 and 203.

You do not need to memorize those. Ask your contractor to show you where each window and door product is listed, and keep the paperwork. Our guide to Florida product approval for windows and doors explains what to look for.

After install: the wind mitigation form

Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form is OIR-B1-1802. The state updated it effective April 1, 2026. The form says it is valid for up to five years if no material changes are made to the structure. Its opening protection question rates the weakest opening on the house, and shutters with no documentation get the lowest rating. A licensed building, general or residential contractor, a professional engineer, a home inspector with hurricane mitigation training and other listed inspectors may sign.

Your insurer decides any discount. Florida law says insurers must include credits for qualifying features in their rate filings, and the form says some items listed may not qualify for a discount. We do not promise a percentage or a dollar saving. See our wind mitigation inspection guide and our impact windows cost and insurance guide.

If you live in an HOA

An HOA application may come before the permit. You file it, and we provide the specs and drawings. Our guide can an HOA stop impact windows in Florida goes through what an association can and cannot require.

How Hildebrand handles window and door permits

Hildebrand Construction & Remodeling is a family-owned Florida Certified Building Contractor (license CBC1257253), licensed since 2009. We install impact windows and doors, and we pull every required permit and meet the Florida Building Code inspections. One licensed contractor runs the whole job. We quote every job after an on-site visit, and the price does not change without your written approval.

See our impact windows and doors page. We give a free in-home consultation and a written estimate with no trip fee. Insurance credits are set by your insurer from a wind mitigation inspection, so we never promise a savings number. 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.

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