Most Orange County renovations require a permit. Skipping the permit might save a few hundred dollars upfront, but it creates real problems when you sell, refinance, or have an insurance claim. Here's what every Orlando homeowner should know about permits before remodeling.

What Requires a Permit in Orange County

These projects typically require an Orange County or City of Orlando permit.

  • Structural changes: removing walls, adding rooms, changing rooflines
  • Electrical work beyond replacing fixtures: new circuits, panel upgrades, EV chargers
  • Plumbing relocations: moving sinks, toilets, showers, dishwashers
  • New HVAC equipment installations
  • Window and door replacements when sizing changes
  • Sheds over 200 sf, fences over 6 ft, pools, and most exterior additions

What Usually Doesn't Require a Permit

Cosmetic and like-for-like work is generally permit-exempt.

  • Painting (interior and exterior)
  • Replacing flooring with similar flooring
  • Replacing cabinets in the same layout
  • Replacing countertops without changing plumbing
  • Replacing fixtures (faucets, light fixtures, door hardware)
  • Replacing windows of the same size in the same opening

Always confirm with Orange County's permit office (or your contractor) before starting — exemptions vary slightly between unincorporated Orange County, the City of Orlando, and other municipalities.

Typical Permit Costs

Orange County permit fees are based on project scope and value. As a rough guide for 2026:

  • Bathroom remodel with plumbing changes: $200–$500
  • Kitchen remodel with electrical and plumbing: $400–$900
  • Whole-home renovation: $1,000–$3,000+
  • Addition or new construction: $2,000–$10,000+ (plus impact fees)
  • Pool: $500–$1,500

Permit fees are paid to the county. They're separate from any contractor fees for handling the permit application.

How Long Approval Takes

Simple permits (bathroom remodel, water heater replacement, electrical panel upgrade) often turn around in 1–3 business days through Orange County's online system.

Larger permits (additions, new construction, ADUs) require plan review and routinely take 4–12 weeks. Build this into your project timeline before signing a contract.

What Happens If You Skip the Permit

Unpermitted work is a problem in three scenarios.

  • Selling: Title companies and inspectors flag unpermitted work, which can delay or kill a sale
  • Refinancing: Appraisers note unpermitted square footage; lenders may require remediation
  • Insurance claims: Damage to unpermitted work may not be covered

Cleaning up unpermitted work after the fact (called "permit-by-survey" in Orange County) is often more expensive than pulling the permit correctly the first time — sometimes by a factor of 2–5x.

Should You or Your Contractor Pull the Permit

Almost always: your licensed contractor. Contractor-pulled permits put the responsibility for code compliance on the licensed professional. Owner-builder permits put that liability on you — and they signal to future buyers that the work wasn't professionally permitted.

A reputable Orlando contractor includes permit handling in the project scope. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself "to save time," that's a red flag.

Planning an Orlando Renovation?

Renovate Services Co. handles permits, inspections, and code compliance as part of every renovation project. We do the paperwork so you don't have to.

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