What changed

Chapter 2026-63, enacted through House Bill 803, requires local governments to exempt qualifying work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling from the building-permit requirement. The law took effect July 1, 2026.

Winter Park’s Building & Permitting Services department says an owner or the owner’s contractor must submit the work through the city’s permitting self-service portal and select the option requesting an exemption from building-permit requirements. The city also requires a copy of the contract or other documentation verifying the work’s scope and value.

Who may qualify

The exemption is limited to qualifying work on a single-family dwelling. The value threshold is strict: the work must be valued at less than $7,500, not $7,500 or less.

A low price alone does not establish eligibility. The request and supporting documentation must show the nature, scope and value of the work.

Projects that remain excluded

Under Chapter 2026-63, the exemption does not apply to work on property that is partially or entirely in a flood hazard area as defined by the Florida Building Code. It also excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical and gas work performed on property containing a single-family dwelling.

The law also prohibits dividing one construction project into multiple projects to evade the exemption’s requirements. Separating related work on paper does not create eligibility if the purpose is to avoid the threshold or other limits.

What homeowners should do

Before starting a small home project in Winter Park, residents and contractors should:

• Confirm that the property is a single-family dwelling and determine whether it is in a flood hazard area.
• Review the work for electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas components.
• Keep a contract, estimate or other documentation showing the project’s nature, scope and total value.
• Submit the exemption request through Winter Park’s permitting self-service portal before beginning work.
• Ask Building & Permitting Services whether zoning, historic-preservation, tree, drainage, setback or other city requirements also apply.

The exemption removes only the building-permit requirement for work that meets the law’s conditions. It is not a blanket exemption for home repairs or remodeling, and it does not by itself establish that inspections, contractor licensing, code compliance or other local requirements are waived.

Winter Park Building & Permitting Services lists 407-599-3237 for department questions. Residents and contractors should use the department’s guidance and permitting portal to verify eligibility for a specific project before work begins.

Sources

• Building & Permitting Services – City of Winter Park
• Chapter 2026-63, Laws of Florida
• Florida Senate House Bill 803 record

The program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, not by the Town of Liberty. Randolph County is included in the statewide rollout, and residents must apply through the state program and meet its eligibility and project requirements.

Two rebate paths can total up to $30,000

Energy Saver North Carolina has two main rebate pathways:

• HOMES: Up to $16,000 for whole-home efficiency improvements, such as insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling upgrades, and other work that reduces a home’s overall energy use.
• HEAR: Up to $14,000 for qualifying electrification and appliance upgrades, including heat pump water heaters, electric stoves, electrical panels, wiring, and related equipment.

The $30,000 figure is a maximum combined amount. It is not a guaranteed payment, and the actual rebate depends on household income, the project type, the home’s needs, eligible costs, and the program’s limits. Rebates also cannot exceed the actual cost of eligible work.

Who may qualify

North Carolina’s guidance says single-family homeowners, multifamily building owners and tenants may participate. Renters need permission from the property owner before eligible work can be completed.

Households generally must have income below 150% of area median income. Households below 80% of area median income may qualify for rebates covering up to 100% of eligible project costs, subject to program caps. Households between 80% and 150% of area median income may qualify for partial rebates covering up to 50% of eligible costs.

Income eligibility is based on household and program rules, so residents should confirm their status through the current state application process rather than assume they qualify based on a rough income estimate.

What applicants should do before starting work

Residents should review the current Energy Saver requirements before signing a contract, buying equipment or beginning construction. The state requires eligible installations to be completed by an approved or registered contractor. Self-installed projects do not qualify.

For HOMES projects, applicants may need to complete a home energy assessment before selecting improvements. HEAR applicants can use the program’s contractor and equipment guidance to identify qualifying upgrades. The state also says rebate eligibility and project requirements should be confirmed before work begins.

For Liberty residents, the Town’s notice is best understood as a referral to a state-administered opportunity, not proof that a particular household or property has been approved. Residents should verify current income rules, eligible equipment, contractor approval, application steps and available funding through Energy Saver North Carolina before committing money to a project.

Sources

• Town of Liberty energy-efficiency rebate notice
• N.C. DEQ Energy Saver North Carolina program guidance
• WUNC report on North Carolina energy rebates

Background: what HB 803 changes in Margate

CS/CS/HB 803 (effective July 1, 2026) creates two building-permit exemptions for eligible single-family residential work. Margate also lists specific exceptions/exclusions and conditions where a permit is still required.

Exemption #1: minor residential work under $7,500 (but key exclusions apply)

For single-family dwellings, the City says exemptions apply to work valued at less than $7,500—but the exemption does not cover certain types of work, even if the overall value is under the threshold.

A permit is still required for these work types (regardless of cost):

• Electrical work
• Plumbing work
• Mechanical work
• Gas work
• Structural work (the City lists examples including railings/guards, pool barrier/fences, windows and doors, siding and soffits, roofing, and elevated decks)
• Any work in a flood hazard area as defined by the Florida Building Code

The City also says no project phasing is permitted: a construction project can’t be divided into smaller projects just to stay under the $7,500 threshold. The exemption applies only to complete, single projects valued under $7,500.

How to request Exemption #1 in Margate

Margate says the property owner or contractor must submit a written exemption request to the Building Department that includes:

• a copy of the written contract, or
• other documentation showing the nature and value of the work.

Margate also notes a $75 processing fee per exemption.

Exemption #2: temporary hurricane/flood protection barriers (voluntary option)

The second exemption applies to the voluntary installation of temporary hurricane and flood protection walls or barriers—but only if multiple conditions are met.

Important location limit: Margate says this exemption applies only to properties NOT located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If your property is within a designated SFHA, the City says permit requirements remain in effect.

All five conditions must be satisfied:

1. The wall or barrier is non-load-bearing and non-habitable.
2. It’s installed on a single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or townhouse.
3. It’s constructed to mitigate or prevent storm surge or floodwaters from entering a structure or property.
4. It’s installed by a contractor licensed under Part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.
5. It complies with applicable local zoning, drainage, easement, and setback requirements.

Margate also states that if any condition isn’t met, a permit is required.

How to request Exemption #2 in Margate

The City says you must submit a written exemption request with a copy of the written contract or other documentation showing the nature of the work, and include the $75 processing fee per exemption.

What still requires Margate permits (even with HB 803)

Even with these state exemptions, Margate’s baseline permit rules still apply to work that isn’t covered by an exemption or that otherwise falls within the City’s permitting framework. The City’s Permit Requirements page lists examples that commonly require permits, including hurricane shutters, reroofing, installation of electrical systems, and window replacement.

If you’re unsure whether a permit is required for your specific project, Margate says to contact the Chief Inspector before starting.

Inspections and stop-work risk: why you should confirm before work starts

Margate’s inspection guidance emphasizes that required inspections must be made in order and prior to concealment, and that all permits require a final inspection. The City also says that when projects become unsafe during construction or when work is started without a permit, a STOP WORK ORDER will be issued and the work must stop.

Quick checklist before work begins in Margate

• For Exemption #1: confirm your job is a qualifying single-family project and the work value is less than $7,500 (and not split/phased to qualify).
• Check the exclusions: does your scope include electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, structural work (as defined by the City), or involve a flood hazard area under the Florida Building Code?
• For Exemption #2: confirm your property is NOT in an SFHA, and can you meet all five City conditions for temporary non-load-bearing, non-habitable barriers?
• Request the exemption in writing first: include the required contract copy or documentation showing the nature and value of the work.
• Plan for the fee: remember Margate states there’s a $75 processing fee per exemption.
• When in doubt, ask: contact Margate’s Building Department/Chief Inspector before any work begins to reduce the risk of compliance problems.

Bottom line: HB 803 can narrow the situations where you may avoid a building permit in Margate—but only if your project fits the City’s defined eligibility rules and you follow Margate’s exemption request process before starting.

Sources

• City of Margate: Building Permit Exemptions for Residential Properties (HB 803)
• Seminole County (FL): New State Law Affecting Permits (HB 803 context)

Quick context: what HB 803 changes in Cape Coral

The City of Cape Coral says HB 803 takes effect statewide on July 1, 2026, and changes permit requirements for certain small residential projects. But the city’s guidance emphasizes that the exemption is limited—especially because so much of Cape Coral falls inside FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas.

The $7,500 exemption isn’t a blanket “no permit” rule

Florida Senate bill summary language describes HB 803 as a local permitting change that requires an exemption review process rather than self-certification. Cape Coral’s materials similarly frame it as an exemption from building-permit requirements only for qualifying work—with eligibility based on more than the project’s total price.

Cape Coral also stresses that requesting the exemption is still part of the process before work proceeds. In other words: an exemption request isn’t the same thing as permission to build.

Eligibility basics you have to check first

Under Cape Coral’s HB 803 explainer, the permit exemption applies only if all of these conditions are met:

• The project is on a single-family home.
• The property is entirely outside the SFHA.
• The total contract value is under $7,500.
• The work does not involve electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural components.
• The project is not artificially “split” into multiple contracts/phases to stay under $7,500.

Flood-hazard warning: SFHA properties are not eligible

Cape Coral says more than 60% of the city is in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The city also says HB 803’s exemption does not apply to projects located in those flood-hazard areas. If any portion of a property lies within the SFHA, Cape Coral says normal permitting rules continue to apply.

To check, the city directs residents and licensed contractors to use Forerunner to look up the address and determine whether it’s inside a FEMA-mapped SFHA.

How Cape Coral says the process works day-to-day

Cape Coral frames HB 803 as a workflow—request first, review second, then proceed only if approved.

• Submit an exemption request: applicants must submit through the city’s online permitting system using the application type that matches the proposed scope of work, and select the appropriate HB 803 exemption option so staff can evaluate the request against the criteria.
• Provide supporting documentation: Cape Coral’s Notice to Industry clarification says the owner (or the owner’s licensed contractor) must submit a written request through the CSS portal for the relevant permit type, along with documentation such as a copy of the contract or other proof of the nature and value of the work.
• Wait for approval: Cape Coral says submission of an exemption request does not authorize construction. Work may not begin until the exemption request has been reviewed and approved by the city.
• If it doesn’t qualify: if the proposed work doesn’t meet HB 803 exemption criteria, Cape Coral says the application continues through the standard permit review process for the selected application type.

Practical checklist for residents and contractors

• Check flood status first: use Forerunner to see whether any portion of your property is in the SFHA.
• Match the work scope: confirm your project does not involve electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural components.
• Plan for paperwork before starting: Cape Coral says HB 803 requires a written exemption request with documentation before work begins, even when a permit isn’t required.
• Don’t “phase” to evade: the city says the project can’t be artificially split into multiple contracts/phases just to remain under the threshold.
• Confirm with the Building Division: Cape Coral says eligibility depends on both location and type of work, and encourages residents and contractors to contact the Building Division before starting any project.

Bottom line

Starting July 1, 2026, some Cape Coral homeowners may be able to move certain minor projects through HB 803’s under-$7,500 exemption pathway—but only if eligibility rules are met. For many homes, especially those inside FEMA-mapped SFHAs, Cape Coral says the exemption won’t apply, and residents should plan on the standard building permit and inspection route.

Key sources

• City of Cape Coral — HB 803 Permit Rules Effective July 1 (resident-facing notice)
• Florida Senate — CS/CS/HB 803 bill summary (statewide permit exemption structure)

At the same time, Florida’s CS/CS/HB 803 (effective July 1, 2026) updates statewide rules that can affect when certain small residential projects must go through local building permit processes. Here’s what to do now—and what to confirm for your specific job.

Quick answer: what changes July 1, 2026

Cape Coral’s changes are mainly about how you apply:

• Owner-builders: The city says owner-builders will be expected to submit permit applications through the city’s online portal starting July 1.
• Licensed contractors: Licensed contractors have been using the online system since 2024, and the permitting services page continues to require online submittal.
• Permit counter intake: The city says new permit applications are not accepted at the permit counter, and walk-in availability is reduced.

What to do online now (EnerGov / city portal checklist)

If you’re planning any work that might require a permit, start preparing before the July 1 switch:

• Confirm your scope: Decide exactly what work you’re doing. HB 803 exemptions are tied to specific project/trade types and conditions.
• Gather your documents: The online process is designed for uploading plans and supporting materials.
• Submit through EnerGov (correct lane): Beginning July 1, owner-builders are expected to submit through the city’s online portal. Contractors are required to apply online.
• Track your progress: Use the EnerGov customer self-service tools to check application and inspection status.
• If you need help, use the city’s support options: The permitting services page says you can schedule a 30-minute appointment through the Virtual Line or use a public computer station at City Hall.

Walk-in counter expectations during the transition

• No new applications at the counter: The city says new permit applications are not accepted at the permit counter.
• Counter hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

HB 803 basics: when small residential projects may qualify for exemptions (statewide)

Florida’s HB 803 requires local governments to exempt certain categories of work from local building permitting requirements—except in flood hazard areas. The Florida Senate bill summary highlights (among other things) these common exemption themes:

• Single-family residential work valued at $7,500 or less: Excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work.
• Temporary residential hurricane and flood wall installations: Covered when they meet specified standards.

Important: An exemption from local building permit requirements doesn’t automatically mean “no requirements” for every part of your project. Eligibility depends on the exact scope and trade work—so verify whether your project qualifies under the bill’s conditions.

Before you start work: confirm you’re using the right process

• Check whether you need a Cape Coral permit application or whether HB 803 could apply to your situation.
• Confirm other approvals/review steps: Even where an exemption may reduce or remove local building permit requirements, other rules and standards may still apply.

What to watch next

Cape Coral staff reviewed HB 803 during the June 3, 2026 City Council meeting, and the city says a communications plan is being developed to educate the public on the upcoming changes. As July 1 approaches, keep an eye on the city’s permitting guidance and use the city’s EnerGov support options if you get stuck submitting online.

Key sources

• City of Cape Coral announcement: “City Transitioning to Online-First Permitting July 1”
• Florida Senate Bill Summary: 2026 CS/CS/HB 803
• Cape Coral Breeze: “City gears up for permitting changes” (June 9, 2026)