Permits are the part of a remodel homeowners can’t see, and the part that most often decides when work can actually start. In Palm Beach County, how long a permit takes depends on three things: who issues it, what kind of work it covers, and how complete the application is the first time.
Florida law now sets firm review deadlines for many residential permits, and the rules changed again on July 1, 2026. This guide explains the current timelines, how they apply to kitchens, bathrooms, additions and condos, and how to keep your permit from becoming the bottleneck.
Palm Beach County has dozens of municipalities, and most run their own building departments. If your home is inside Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach or another city, that city issues your permit. If you are in an unincorporated area, the county’s Planning, Zoning and Building Department does. Each one has its own portal, forms and inspection scheduling, but all of them follow the same state review deadlines.
Florida Statute 553.792 requires local governments to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a complete permit application within set timeframes (Fla. Stat. 553.792). HB 803, which took effect July 1, 2026, added a faster track for smaller single-family jobs (City of Miami summary).
| Permit type | Review deadline | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Existing single-family home, work under $15,000 | 5 business days | Structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, roofing and similar permits |
| Single-family home under 7,500 sq ft | 30 business days | Building and trade permits for the home |
| Homes 7,500 sq ft or larger, multifamily up to 50 units | 60 business days | Larger homes and many condo buildings |
| Corrections after a comment notice | You have 10 business days to respond; the department then has 10 business days | Applications that receive review comments |
Two details matter. First, the clock runs from a complete and sufficient application, so missing documents mean the clock never starts. Second, applicants can waive the deadlines in writing, and some departments ask for that waiver when a project needs more back-and-forth.
These ranges reflect common experience across Palm Beach County jurisdictions. Your project may move faster or slower depending on the department’s workload and whether reviewers send comments.
| Project | Typical permits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel, same layout | Building, electrical, plumbing | Often a few days to a few weeks; smaller jobs may qualify for the 5-day track |
| Bathroom remodel or tub-to-shower conversion | Plumbing, electrical, sometimes building | Often a few days to a few weeks |
| Condo kitchen or bath | Building and trade permits plus association approval | Association review commonly adds several weeks before the permit is filed |
| Wall removal or open-concept remodel | Building with structural drawings, trade permits | Several weeks, since engineered drawings are reviewed |
| Home addition | Building with signed and sealed plans, zoning review, trades | Often one to three months, plus survey and design time |
Boca Raton, for example, does not offer paid expedited plan review (City of Boca Raton FAQ), so a complete submission and quick responses to comments are what keep things moving.
Not sure what permits your project needs?
North2South Renovations handles permits, inspections and condo or HOA approvals for every project we build.
Scope and drawings
The contractor defines the work and prepares drawings. Structural changes and additions need signed and sealed plans from an engineer or architect.
Association approval (if applicable)
Condos and many HOA communities review the work. Condo approval letters are often part of the permit application.
Application and intake
The application, drawings, product approvals and fees are submitted through the city or county portal and checked for completeness.
Plan review
Reviewers check the plans against the Florida Building Code. If they have comments, the applicant revises and resubmits.
Permit issued and Notice of Commencement
The permit is issued. For contracts over $5,000, a recorded Notice of Commencement must be posted before the first inspection.
Inspections
Rough, in-progress and final inspections are scheduled as the work reaches each stage.
Final inspection and close-out
The final inspection closes the permit, which protects you when you sell or insure the home.
North2South Renovations is a state-certified building contractor (License #CBC1269429). We prepare the applications, coordinate drawings with architects and engineers when needed, respond to plan review comments, schedule inspections and handle condo and HOA approvals across Palm Beach County. Learn more about our permits and HOA/condo approvals service, or see how permits fit into a kitchen remodel checklist and a bathroom remodel timeline.
It depends on the project and the jurisdiction. Florida law requires a decision within 30 business days on a complete application for a single-family home under 7,500 square feet, and within 5 business days for work under $15,000 on an existing single-family home. Simple remodel permits often come back faster.
Usually yes. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas and structural work all need permits. Florida’s $7,500 exemption only covers small single-family jobs that don’t include those trades.
No. The 5-business-day track that took effect July 1, 2026 applies to existing single-family dwellings with work valued under $15,000.
Florida law includes consequences for missing review deadlines, such as fee reductions or, in some cases, permits deemed approved. Applicants can also waive the deadlines in writing, so ask your contractor how your department handles it.
Your licensed contractor normally pulls the permit and is responsible for the inspections. Owner-builder permits are possible for some single-family work, but the owner then takes on the contractor’s legal responsibilities.