Get a Permit

Step 1.Submit your permit application

Construction and renovation projects require different types of permits.

Go to our Permitting Forms page to fill out the correct application. Please allow two business days for processing after your application has been submitted.

Complete an Application

Step 2.Submit plans

The City of Orlando accepts plans digitally for review. After your application is processed, the digital applicant will receive an email with a link to access the digital plan review system, ProjectDox. Follow the upload requirements.

* For Commercial Projects only: After your application is processed, you will receive an email with an invoice to pay a non-refundable 25% plan review deposit fee. After this fee is paid, the link to access ProjectDox will be emailed to the digital applicant.  

Submit Plans

Step 3.Submit a Recorded Notice of Commencement

If your project value exceeds $5,000 you will need to file a Notice of Commencement with the Orange County Comptroller's Office prior to starting any work. Once the Notice of Commencement is filed, you need to post a certified copy at the job site and provide a copy to the City of Orlando.

Submit Your Recorded Notice of Commencement

Step 4.Check plan status

At any point in the project, you can check your permit status, plan review completion dates, related permits, etc., via our Permit Lookup tool. 

Plan review times vary based on the plan review type (commercial vs. residential) and scope of work (repairs, new construction, roofs, additions, etc.)

Look up Permit

Step 5.Make a payment

We will email you payment instructions after all reviews are completed and approved; and updated contractor information is associated with your permit. You can view any fees that are due and pay them using our Permit Lookup tool.

Pay Fees

Step 6.Download permit and plans

After you pay your fees, we will email you to let you know your plans are available for download. Login to ProjectDox and download your plans from the Approved folder. You must print them to scale and post on your job site to begin construction.

Download Plans

Step 7.Schedule an inspection

Different permits need inspections at different points in the project. If your permit is open for six months without an inspection, it will expire.

Schedule an Inspection

Step 8.Check your permit status

Once you complete and pass your inspections the permit will be final. If you don’t close out your permit, this could cause issues later when trying to sell your property. Use our Permit Lookup tool to check the status of your permit and ensure that the status is final.

Check Permit Status

Step 9.Submit changes after a permit is issued

If you need to submit any changes to the approved plans, make corrections noted by an inspector or upload documents to clear document holds, you must email digitalpermits@orlando.gov and we will open the digital portal for you.

Step 10.Get your Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion

To receive a copy of your Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion, email digitalpermits@orlando.gov. Include your permit number in the subject line.