Florida Greenlights New Law Easing Permit Requirements for Low-Cost Home Repairs, with Notable Exceptions

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted HB 803, a new law that exempts owners of single-family homes from needing construction permits for projects valued at less than $7,500. This legislation was unanimously approved by both houses of the state legislature.

Under this law, "any local government issuing construction permits must exempt a single-family homeowner or their contractor from obtaining a permit for any work valued below $7,500 on their property."

Effective from July 1, the law also prohibits local governments from inspecting projects covered by this exemption, removing a layer of bureaucracy for homeowners.

Eligible Projects and Limitations

Typical projects that might qualify for this exemption include installing or repairing fences, building small non-structural decks or patios, exterior painting, replacing siding or window screens, and minor landscaping tasks.

However, the exemption has clear boundaries: it does not apply to electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, regardless of the cost.

Furthermore, projects cannot be divided into smaller phases to circumvent the $7,500 threshold.

Contractor and Homeowner Responsibilities

Contractors undertaking these projects must file a written exemption request with the local compliance agency, accompanied by a contract or other documentation showing the work's value and description. Homeowners doing the improvements themselves are not required to notify the authorities.

Additional Provisions and Impact

The law also exempts temporary hurricane or flood protection barriers on single-family properties from permits, provided they comply with local zoning, drainage, and setback regulations, and are installed by licensed contractors.

Additionally, licensed building officials from other states are permitted to work in Florida for up to a year following a state emergency declaration, a measure aimed at speeding up responses to natural disasters like hurricanes.

In terms of costs, HB 803 mandates a minimum 25% reduction in permit fees when private providers conduct plan reviews or inspections, and a 50% reduction when both tasks are completed simultaneously. It also bans local governments from imposing extra administrative or inspection fees related to the use of these private providers.

This reform is especially beneficial for single-family homeowners in South Florida, including the large Cuban-American community in Miami-Dade, who often undertake minor property improvements and faced disproportionate administrative costs and wait times relative to the project value.

This legislation is part of a broader trend toward deregulating the residential construction sector in Florida, driven by the state's housing affordability crisis, with an estimated shortfall exceeding 120,000 units in cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa.

Back in 2025, the legislature passed several laws to expedite construction permits, including HB 683, which set maximum response times for local governments: 20 business days for general permits and five days for single-family homes, with automatic approval if deadlines are not met.

HB 803 was one of five bills signed by DeSantis on Wednesday, May 6, and its unanimous passage in both chambers highlights a broad bipartisan agreement on the need to reduce regulatory barriers for low-cost residential improvements.