• Per Chapter 1 of the Florida Building Code and Section 553.79(1) of the Florida Statutes: Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure, or any outside area being used as part of the building's designated occupant (single or mixed) or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit for the work.
• Projects started without a building permit can result in greatly increased costs, delays and even removal of structures. The structures may be placed in the wrong location or they may not comply with building codes.
• Florida Building Code, Section 104.1, requires that a building permit be obtained prior to construction, alterations, repairs and relocations. A property owner or contractor who starts work without first obtaining a permit could be subject to a penalty of double the usual permit fee. Section 109 of the Florida Building Code sets fees, which are authorized by Florida State Statute 553.80.

The permitting process is how the City can ensure that professional, certified inspectors and plans examiners review and inspect the work to make sure the project complies with the Florida Building Code and the City’s zoning codes. Additional information on permit requirements can be obtained by contacting the Building Department at (321) 868-1220 or by reviewing the information available on these web pages.

Many improvements of real property may not require a building permit or zoning review. Some may require only a zoning review, but are exempt from building code review and inspection. Call the Building Department at (321) 868-1220.

• Appliance replacement within a dwelling unit. (plug-in type, dishwashers and disposals)
• As of 6/11/2018 a permit will be required for -  Cabinets - kitchen, bathroom, etc.
• Carpeting – except where required to be fire-rated.
• Ceramic Tile – replacement of floor and/or wall tile (except where required to be fire-rated).
• Countertops - laminate, granite, tiled, etc.
• As of 6/11/2018 a permit will be required for - Drywall.
• Doors – replacement of any interior residential door within the individual unit.
• Driveway – recoat asphalt (1 & 2 Family Dwelling).
• Fence repairs - repair or replacement sixteen (16) linear feet or less per year.
• Gutters and downspouts. Downspouts must discharge in a code compliant manner.
• Painting – except exterior change of color for all commercial buildings (may require Community Appearance Board Approval).
• Playground equipment and play structures. (Residential only).
• Prefabricated swimming pools and spas that are less than 24 inches (610mm) deep, and man-made landscape ponds of any depth.
• Roof – repair or replacement of existing roof covering is exempt from permitting as long as it is less than 1 square of material (100 square feet for entire roof area per year).
• Roof coating – liquid applied coatings only.
• Screen room – replacement of screening only.
• Sign repainting – for maintenance purposes only with no change in copy.
• Trim – baseboard, wainscoting, casings and similar finish work.
• Wall / siding. Repair or replacement of existing wall covering is exempt from permitting as long as it is less than 1 square of material (100 square feet for entire wall area per year).
• Window – replacement of glass, leaving existing manufactured window frame material in place.

Gas

• Portable heating appliance.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical

• Portable cooling units.
• Portable evaporator coolers.
• Portable heating appliances.  
• Portable ventilation equipment.    
• Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
• Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (5 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
• The installation, replacement, removal or metering of any load management control device.

Plumbing

• The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
• The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
• Faucet replacement. As long as water lines are not altered.
• Sink replacements. As long as water lines and waste lines are not altered.
• Water Closet / Toilet replacements. As long as water supply lines and drain/waste lines are not altered.
• Yard irrigation systems – piping, valves and heads are exempt from permitting. However, new electrical will require a permit. (A connection to a potable water system requires a permit.)

Electrical

• Maintenance: A permit shall not be required for replacement of lamps, ceiling fan replacement using existing outlet box and wiring, receptacles, devices, or fixtures, including the connection of portable electrical equipment to an approved permanently installed receptacle.
• Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work.
• Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
• Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
• Closet (toilet) – Replacement only
• Window – Replacement of glass, leaving existing manufactured window frame material in place.
• Yard irrigation systems – piping, valves and heads are exempt from permitting. However, new electrical will require a permit.
• This list is not meant to be all-inclusive. It is informational only. In the event of a conflict between this document and a more specific regulation, the regulation shall apply.
• All work must meet current code standards.

Emergency repairs

Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the Building Official. All reasonable attempts shall be made to notify the Building Official of such emergency repair work prior to execution of said work.

Minor Repairs

Ordinary minor repairs may be made with the approval of the Building Official without a permit, provided the repairs do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; additionally, ordinary minor repairs shall not include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring systems or mechanical equipment or other work affecting public health or general safety, and such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of the technical codes. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive. It is informational only. In the event of a conflict between this document and a more specific regulation, the regulation shall apply. All work must meet current code standards.

Note

Not sure? If you’re proposing an improvement that you don’t see on this list, please contact the Building Department at (321) 868-1220.

To schedule an inspection please visit the following link: schedule an inspection via BS&A online. Please be sure someone can attend the inspection to allow the inspector to have access.

What building code does the City enforce?

Does the City of Cape Canaveral have more stringent building code-related technical requirements than the Florida Building Code?

No. The intent of the Florida Building Code is to have unified standards state-wide, without local amendments.

(ex: abandoned vehicles, loud music, radio, car stereo, loud party, graffiti, inoperable vehicles, piles of junk in the yard, overgrowth, etc.) There are several ways:

1. The City website has a link where you can Report-a-Concern. Click here.
2. We offer a downloadable “code enforcement request form”. Simply print and mail (or fax) the form to our office. Click here.
3. Visit us at 100 Polk Ave. Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Our phone number is (321) 868-1220 and our fax number is (321) 868-1247.
4. Call (321) 868-1220 and ask to speak with a Code Enforcement Officer.

Yes. Residents who wish to report anonymous concerns may do so via phone at (321) 868- 1231 or by mail at P.O. Box 326, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

The complaint is processed by the Code Enforcement Officer and an investigation is begun. If the investigation reveals a violation, the code enforcement officer will issue a Civil Citation or a Notice of Violation.

It is a “ticket” that may be issued by a Code Enforcement Officer for certain violations (litter, property maintenance, noise, too many garage sales in one calendar year, and others). The ticket will require the violator to pay a civil fine within 21 days.

It is an official notification that a violation of a City code exists on your property. It will give you a timeframe in which you must correct the violation.

The timeframe is based on the severity of the violation. Typically, violations are required to be corrected within 5 to 30 days. However, if there is an immediate threat to life-safety, violations must be corrected immediately.

The issue is scheduled to be heard by the City’s Code Enforcement Board. The board is made up of seven volunteer citizens who hear cases presented by the code enforcement officer. The board meets on a monthly basis. The officer will present cases which have not been brought into compliance. The Board may find a property owner in violation and assess penalties as allowed by law. These penalties can include a daily fine and a lien.

You need to perform whatever corrective action is necessary. Contact the code enforcement officer at (321) 868-1220 if you have any questions. As soon as the violation is corrected, you must notify the code enforcement officer so the case can be closed. Once closed we will forward you an official Notice of Compliance.

Property owners are ultimately responsible for all repairs and upkeep to their properties.

Yes. The property owner is responsible.

Yes. Call the Building Department at (321) 868-1220.

To make a request for a temporary parking authorization, please contact Code Enforcement Officer Brian Palmer at b.palmer@cityofcapecanaveral.org or (321) 868-1220 to begin the process. You will be asked to supply all pertinent information to Mr. Palmer including your contact information, site address, requested parking locations, requested dates and the number of cars.

You will need a permit. Call the Building Department at (321) 868-1220.

• One electronic sign can be incorporated into either a monument sign or pylon sign. It cannot be a portable or standalone sign and must be mounted in a permanent cabinet.
• The size of the electronic portion is limited to a maximum of 32 square feet. But the overall sign can be 120 square feet. The electronic sign must be fully incorporated within the outer perimeter of the sign.
• It is limited to display of alphanumeric characters only. Moving graphic displays of non-alphanumeric characters (such as simulations of fireworks, bouncing hearts, lighthouses, human bodies, and cartoon characters) are not allowed.
• The display time for each message shall be a minimum of four seconds.

• The sign must be set to a specific brightness level and electronically respond to changing light conditions (e.g., change from day to night or to darkness related to weather).

Please visit Section 94-76. - Temporary on-premises signs of the City Code of Ordinances.

• They cannot block cash register areas and general public safety concerns must be met

• They must be at or below 15 feet from pedestrian grade

• They must not exceed 25% of the total window glass unless they are part of a window display in the Economic Opportunity Overlay District (EOOD).

• In the EOOD, window signs are allowed within a display area (3ft x 15ft) without limitation, except such signs affixed or attached to the window within the display area cannot exceed 25% of the total window glass area fronting the display area. So, for a business located within the EOOD, interior window signs would be permitted within a window display area without limitation other than they could not affix the window signs to the glass to cover more than 25% of the total glass area fronting the display area. Window signs would be prohibited above 15 feet. The public safety prohibition would also apply.

That is true. Pole signs are those signs that are defined as “having exposed metal supports”. They need to be covered with a pole cover by September 16, 2016. This has the effect of converting them to a pylon sign. A permit is required. Call the Building Department at (321) 868-1220.

No. The intent of the Florida Building Code is to have unified standards state-wide, without local amendments.