Florida’s new 2026 permit exemption may sound like a green light for smaller remodeling projects. However, kitchen and bathroom renovations frequently involve plumbing, electrical, structural, mechanical, or gas work—the exact categories the new exemption does not cover.
Knowing where your project falls before demolition begins can help you avoid submitting to the wrong building department, overlooking required plans, or discovering inspection requirements after work is underway.
This guide explains when Florida kitchen and bathroom remodels commonly require permits, what changed in 2026, and what Tampa Bay homeowners should expect from the permitting process.
Quick Answer
Florida kitchen and bathroom remodels generally require permits when they alter structural components or electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas systems. Cosmetic work may be exempt, but the complete project scope and local permitting authority determine what is required. Florida’s new under-$7,500 exemption is limited and does not apply to regulated trade work or properties in a flood-hazard area.
Quick Takeaways
- Permit requirements depend on the work being performed—not simply whether the room is called a kitchen or bathroom.
- Structural changes and most electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas alterations require permit review.
- Cosmetic improvements may be exempt when walls and regulated building systems remain unchanged.
- Florida’s 2026 exemption for certain work under $7,500 requires a written request and contains major exclusions.
- The correct city or county building department should be confirmed using the property address.
Do Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels Require Permits in Florida?
Some remodels require permits, while others may be considered cosmetic work. The deciding factor is the complete scope of the renovation.
Image: Avery Construction comparing Florida kitchen and bathroom remodeling work that commonly requires permits with cosmetic work that may be exempt.
Work That Commonly Requires a Permit
A kitchen or bathroom remodel is more likely to require one or more permits when it includes:
- Removing or modifying walls or structural framing
- Changing the size or location of doors or windows
- Moving sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, drains, or water lines
- Adding electrical circuits, outlets, switches, or lighting
- Modifying an electrical panel
- Adding or changing gas piping or appliance connections
- Altering ventilation, exhaust, or other mechanical components
One renovation may require several reviews. For example, a kitchen project that modifies a wall, relocates plumbing, and adds electrical circuits could involve building, plumbing, and electrical permits. Pinellas County lists kitchen and bathroom remodels along with separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permit types.
Work That May NOT Require a Permit
Work may be exempt when it is limited to finishes and does not affect structural components or regulated systems. Depending on the jurisdiction, examples may include:
- Painting or wallpapering
- Installing certain flooring or decorative tile
- Replacing cabinets or countertops without changing walls or utilities
- Replacing certain fixtures without relocating or modifying their connections
- Adding shelving or other nonstructural finishes
Hillsborough County and the City of Clearwater identify several cosmetic improvements that typically do not require permits. Local confirmation is still important because a cosmetic-looking project may include concealed electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas changes.
What Changed in Florida Permit Law for 2026?
Image: Avery Construction graphic explaining Florida’s limited 2026 permit exemption for certain work under $7,500.
Florida Chapter 2026-63, effective July 1, 2026, requires local governments to exempt certain work valued below $7,500 on property containing a single-family dwelling.
The exemption does not apply when:
- The property is partially or entirely within a flood-hazard area
- The work includes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work
- A project is divided into smaller parts to avoid permit requirements
The property owner or contractor must submit a written exemption request to the local enforcement agency with a contract or other documentation showing the nature and value of the work.
This is not an automatic exemption for every project under $7,500. Because many kitchen and bathroom remodels affect plumbing, electrical systems, ventilation, walls, or gas connections, they may still require permits regardless of the project’s value.
Which Building Department Handles the Permit?
Florida establishes statewide building standards, but local enforcement agencies administer permits. Depending on the property, the correct authority may be a county building department or an incorporated city with its own permitting system.
A Pinellas County mailing address does not necessarily mean Pinellas County government issues the permit. The county’s building FAQ directs homeowners to verify jurisdiction using the property address and provides contacts for municipal building departments.
Confirming the correct jurisdiction first helps ensure that the application, required documents, fees, and inspection requests are submitted through the proper system.
What Does the Florida Remodel Permit Process Usually Include?
Exact requirements vary by jurisdiction and project scope, but most kitchen and bathroom permits follow the same general path.
1. Confirm the Required Permit Types
After identifying the correct building department, confirm which building and trade permits apply. Do not assume one general remodeling permit automatically includes every electrical, plumbing, mechanical, structural, or gas component.
2. Prepare the Application and Plans
The building department may require a project description, existing and proposed floor plans, construction drawings, trade plans, product information, contractor details, flood-zone documents, or owner-builder disclosures.
For example, Hillsborough County’s residential-alteration guidance requires a floor plan showing the existing and proposed scope when structural work is not being completed. Structural changes may require plans prepared and sealed by a qualified Florida design professional.
3. Submit the Application and Complete Plan Review
Submitting an application does not mean the permit has been issued. The building department may request missing documents, return correction comments, require revised plans, collect fees, and then approve the permit. Pinellas County instructs applicants to monitor their permit record for review comments, correction requests, and approval notices.
Work requiring a permit should not begin until the permit has been approved and issued.
4. Complete the Required Inspections
Inspections may occur before walls are closed or after specific structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas work is completed. The approved plans and inspection sequence should remain available throughout construction.
5. Complete Final Inspection and Closeout
Construction ending does not automatically close a permit. Confirm that required inspections passed, outstanding corrections were resolved, final documents were submitted, and the permit received its proper completion status.
Who Is Responsible for Obtaining the Permit?
When a licensed contractor is hired, the contractor commonly obtains the permits associated with the contracted work. Permit responsibilities should be clarified before construction, including who submits the application, responds to plan-review comments, schedules inspections, and confirms final closeout.
Florida homeowners may qualify to act as owner-builders, but that option carries legal and supervisory responsibilities. Pinellas County explains that an owner-builder must provide direct onsite supervision and comply with applicable disclosure, workers’ compensation, tax, and licensing requirements. Certain electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work still requires appropriately licensed contractors.
The permit should accurately identify the responsible parties. Homeowners should be cautious if someone asks them to obtain an owner-builder permit while another person is actually controlling or supervising the work.
Why Permit Planning Matters Before Remodeling Begins
Permit planning affects more than paperwork. It helps the remodeling team coordinate plan review, construction sequencing, inspections, and closeout before those requirements interrupt active work.
Addressing permits early can:
- Support safe, code-compliant structural and building-system work
- Produce a more realistic schedule and budget
- Reduce the risk of covering work before a required inspection
- Create a clear record of approved plans, inspections, and project completion
The goal is not to predict every request a building department may make. It is to begin with enough accurate project information to confirm the proper path before construction starts.
How Avery Construction Helps Tampa Bay Homeowners Plan
Avery Construction provides kitchen remodeling and renovation and bathroom renovation services throughout Tampa Bay.
Avery’s design and planning process helps homeowners define layout changes, fixture locations, material selections, and the overall renovation scope before construction. Avery also offers full-color 3D design and project-management support, helping homeowners see the proposed space and understand how project decisions connect.
Clarifying those details early provides a better foundation for determining whether the renovation affects walls, plumbing, electrical systems, ventilation, gas connections, or other permit-related work. The applicable city or county building authority makes the final permit determination for the property and approved scope.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in Florida?
A permit is commonly required when the remodel includes structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas work. Cosmetic improvements may be exempt when walls and regulated systems remain unchanged, but the local building authority makes the final determination.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets in Florida?
Simple cabinet replacement may not require a permit when the layout, walls, utilities, and structural components remain unchanged. Permit review may be required when the new cabinet layout affects plumbing, electrical, gas, ventilation, or structural work.
Does replacing a bathtub or shower require a permit?
Requirements depend on the work involved. Replacing finishes or certain fixtures may be treated as cosmetic, while relocating drains, water lines, valves, electrical components, ventilation, or walls commonly requires permit review.
Is every Florida remodeling project under $7,500 permit-exempt in 2026?
No. The exemption excludes flood-hazard properties and electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work. It also requires a written exemption request with documentation describing the work and its value.
Does HOA approval replace a building permit?
No. HOA or condominium approval and government permitting are separate processes. A project may require association approval, a building permit, both, or neither depending on the property, governing documents, and proposed work.
Ready to Start Planning Your Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel?
The best time to identify permit-related questions is while the layout, fixtures, materials, and project scope are still being planned—not after construction begins.
Avery Construction can help you explore your kitchen or bathroom remodeling options, visualize the proposed design, and build a clearer plan for the next step.
