What home renovations require a permit in Orlando?
Are you thinking about renovation projects to upgrade your Orlando house? Maybe you’re thinking of making an addition to your home, putting up a fence or upgrading your kitchen. Are you wondering if you need a permit to remodel your bathroom? Before doing any work, it’s important to understand the Orlando permit process, what types of projects require them, how unpermitted projects can impact on your house sale, and how to get home renovation permits.
Some projects that require a permit in Orlando
As HGTV says, "Permits for renovations are the foundation upon which a successful project stands. Without them, you're building on shaky ground."
In Florida, only contractors and “owner-builders” may apply for permits. As an owner-builder, homeowners may act as their own contractors, even if they don’t have a license. This is because there is an exemption to the law that says only licensed contractors can do the work. To use this exemption, you must apply for an online owner-builder permit from Orange County. To be approved, you must use your own name (not a business name), the permit must be for your own use, and you can’t rent or sell for one year after the project is completed. Projects that need permits include:
- New windows and doors: Replacing a door or window doesn’t require a permit, but if the hole must be enlarged, you need one. This includes skylights.
- Plumbing and electrical work: For safety reasons, plumbing and electrical work require permits and inspections afterward.
- Structural changes: Adding walls, tearing down walls, and replacing or changing a staircase are all projects that affect the structure of your home and need a permit.
- Siding: A home renovation permit is needed for installing house siding to make sure the work complies with building codes and is safe.
- Water heater: Water heater replacement or installation requires the work of licensed plumbers and sometimes electricians. Permits ensure that the work is done correctly.
- Fences: When installing a fence, it’s important to review Orlando’s fencing regulations and permit requirements. Familiarizing yourself with all the considerations will ensure that you comply with local laws.
- Driveways: An engineering permit is needed for upgrading or enlarging a driveway.
- Roofing: A permit is required to repair or replace a roof.
- Swimming pools: Permits are needed to ensure safety, including proper drainage and fencing.
Projects that don’t require a permit
Simple cosmetic work typically doesn’t require a permit in Orlando, including:
- Installing new countertops
- Painting
- Wallpapering
- Carpeting and new flooring
Can you get a permit after remodeling?
What if you've already completed renovations without obtaining the necessary permits? While retroactive permitting is allowed in a few US cities like Orlando, it's generally not recommended due to several potential drawbacks. You may have to pay some heavy fines. Additionally, it may take up to six weeks to get the retroactive permits.
Getting a retroactive permit usually involves submitting an application and blueprints to Orlando's Planning Department. They'll inspect the unpermitted work, and if it doesn't meet city standards, you'll need additional permits for any required repairs to bring it up to code.
Before proceeding, it's best to contact Orlando's Permitting Services at digitalpermits@orlando.gov for full guidance on retroactive permit requirements and fees. Getting all the details upfront ensures that you understand what the process entails.
Above all, they'll want to verify that the work meets regulations. Reaching out to the permitting office first is wise to avoid any surprises.
Is it a good idea to sell a house with unpermitted work?
Many issues may come up if you sell a house that’s had work done without the proper permits. Prospective buyers might hesitate to consider a property with unpermitted and uninspected work due to concerns about safety, legal compliance, and the quality of the renovation. Plus, mortgage lenders often deny loans to home buyers in these cases.
In Orlando, a legal requirement when selling a house is to fill out an Orlando Florida Residential Real Estate Sales Disclosure Statement. This form gives a detailed description of the property and discloses any potential problems with the house such as lead-based paint, mold, foundation problems, or unpermitted work. A seller's dishonesty could result in a future lawsuit from the buyer.
Fortunately, We Buy Ugly Houses®, a reputable off-market house buyer in Orlando with great reviews, can provide a solution to homeowners that are facing this dilemma. You can skip trying to get a retroactive permit or redoing the work legally and sell to us “as is.” We buy houses regardless of condition or unpermitted renovations.
Selling your house “as is” with We Buy Ugly Houses® is easy and hassle-free.
Even if your house has had unpermitted electrical work or structural changes, we can provide a quick and easy offer. Simply contact us for a consultation at a convenient time for you. We’ll meet you at your house, take a tour, and answer your questions. We can sometimes give you an offer on the spot! If you accept our offer, we can potentially close in as little as 3 weeks, but we’ll do our best to accommodate you if you need more time.
Know that you can depend on us for a convenient and stress-free sale. With more than 150,000 houses purchased nationwide in over 25 years in business, we have the expertise to solve just about any house-selling problem. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
