Updated November 4, 2026
Who issues your roof permit?
Pinellas County has no single permit office. Pinellas County Building Services issues permits for unincorporated areas, such as Palm Harbor and East Lake. The county's page also lists several small cities that use the county for some or all permitting, including Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Safety Harbor, and Oldsmar. Those arrangements can differ by service, so confirm with your city first.
Many other cities run their own building departments, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Seminole, Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach. The county publishes a directory of building departments with phone numbers and links.
If you are unsure which jurisdiction your address falls in, ask your roofer or call the county's Building Services line at (727) 464-3888.
Do you need a permit?
A re-roof needs a permit. Small repairs may be treated differently. For example, Kenneth City's page says repairs covering less than 100 square feet in total may not need a permit, while a re-roof does. Rules differ by city, so ask your building department before assuming a job is exempt.
Kenneth City's page also describes an emergency process for leaks caused by acts of nature: repairs can begin immediately, but the building department must be notified the next business day and the permit applied for within three business days. Other cities may have their own timelines.
Steps in a typical permit process
- Contract and license check. Confirm your contractor's state license before signing. The county says permits are not processed for contractors whose license is inactive.
- Application. Pinellas County takes applications through its online Access Portal. Contractors can use Express permits for simple projects, which the county says are often issued right after payment. Residential permits typically take about 14 days according to the county, but check its review-times dashboard because timing changes.
- Documents. Expect to provide product approvals showing the roofing materials meet Florida code. Other documents may be requested depending on your roof.
- Notice of Commencement. The county says this is required for projects over $2,500, must be recorded with the Clerk of Court, and must be uploaded before the first inspection.
- Fees. Pay through the portal or at the office. The county warns about fake invoices and says it accepts payment only through its portal or office. The county also states that its fee schedule and permit rules change effective July 1, 2026, so verify current fees.
In cities with their own departments, the steps are similar in spirit, but forms and portals differ.
Deck fastening and the secondary water barrier
Florida Statute 553.844 requires that a roof replacement incorporate techniques for strengthening roof-deck attachment and adding a secondary water barrier. Local jurisdictions typically want proof. Pinellas County has a re-roofing affidavit that a contractor submits to report the roof-deck fastening and the secondary water barrier, and Clearwater uses a similar roofing inspection affidavit.
Clearwater's form is a sworn statement by a licensed professional, such as a contractor, engineer, architect, or building inspector, who personally inspected the roof. It calls for photos of each roof plane showing the sheathing and the dry-in or base sheet, with the permit number or address marked on the deck. Ask your roofer how your city handles this, and who will be taking the photos.
This is not paperwork for its own sake. It documents the parts of the roof you will never see again once the covering goes on.
Inspections and scheduling
The permit holder schedules inspections. Pinellas County says requests made before 3:30 p.m. can be scheduled for the next business day, though one of its FAQs mentions a 4 p.m. cutoff, so confirm. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding county holidays.
The exact inspection sequence varies by jurisdiction. Ask your contractor for the list for your city, and do not let anyone cover up work before a required inspection has passed. A final inspection closes the permit. Keep a copy of the final sign-off for your records, and for any later insurance or home-sale questions.
Owner-builder and unpermitted work
The county says Express permits online are for licensed contractors only, and owner-builders can apply in person. Hiring an unlicensed person to work under your owner-builder permit is risky. If you have questions about doing your own work, call the department first.
Skipping a permit can create problems later. Unpermitted work can cause trouble with an insurance claim, a home sale, or a code inspection. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit to save money or time, treat it as a red flag and check their license.
Also keep in mind the state deposit rule: if a contractor takes an initial payment over 10 percent of the contract price on residential work, the contractor generally must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits are issued, unless an exception applies.
Frequently asked questions
Who pulls the roof permit, me or my roofer?
Normally your licensed roofing contractor applies for and pulls the permit. Owner-builders can apply in person in Pinellas County, but should confirm requirements with the department.
How long does a roof permit take in Pinellas County?
The county says Express permits are often issued right after payment and residential permits take about 14 days, but it publishes a review-time dashboard because timing changes. City departments have their own timelines.
What is a Notice of Commencement?
A document recorded with the Clerk of Court before work begins. Pinellas County says it is required for projects over $2,500 and must be uploaded before the first inspection.
Is an emergency leak repair exempt from permits?
Not necessarily. Kenneth City's page, for example, allows emergency repairs to start right away but requires notifying the building department the next business day and applying for a permit within three business days. Ask your own city.