Orlando homeowners can seek permit exemptions for some projects under $7,500

Orlando homeowners now have a way to request a building-permit exemption for certain residential projects valued at less than $7,500. The option comes from Florida House Bill 803, which took effect July 1, 2026, but the exemption is limited and is not automatic.

The City of Orlando says owners of single-family dwellings, or their contractors, must first confirm that the project meets the law’s requirements. That includes checking that the property is not partially or entirely in a flood-hazard area.

How Orlando’s process works

Applicants must prepare a written contract or other documentation showing the nature and value of the proposed work. They must then submit a written exemption request to the city for review before treating the project as permit-exempt.

Orlando says it reviews exemption requests within five business days and provides a way for applicants to check the status through its permit-lookup system.

That review requirement is important for homeowners and contractors. A project that appears to fall below the dollar threshold should not be treated as exempt until the city has reviewed the request and confirmed that the eligibility requirements are met.

What the exemption does not cover

The state law excludes work on properties located in a flood-hazard area. It also excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical and gas work performed on property containing a single-family dwelling.

Those exclusions mean that a low-cost project may still require permits if it involves one of those building systems or structural work. Routine non-system work may be eligible, but replacing a window or door can fall outside the exemption when the work involves structural changes. Orange County guidance offers that example as nearby implementation context; it should not be treated as a separate City of Orlando ruling.

Homeowners should separate qualifying work from excluded work rather than assuming that the total project price controls every part of the job.

The law also prohibits dividing one construction project into multiple smaller projects to avoid permit requirements. A contract or cost estimate that does not accurately describe the full scope of work could create problems for both the owner and contractor.

Owners still carry responsibility

The exemption removes a building-permit requirement for qualifying work; it does not make the work exempt from applicable building-code standards or other requirements. Florida law says a local government has no legal duty to the owner, contractor or later successors for work performed under this exemption.

For Orlando homeowners, that makes documentation and contractor selection especially important. Keep the written request, contract, cost records and city response. If the project involves a question about structural work, utilities, flood-zone status or the scope of a renovation, confirm the requirements with Orlando Permitting Services or a qualified professional before work begins.

Sources

• City of Orlando: Apply for a Residential Building Permit Exemption
• Florida Chapter 2026-63: Enacted HB 803 statutory text
• Florida Senate: CS/CS/HB 803 bill summary