Building permits and zoning in Fort Lauderdale

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Permitting Services, Zoning and Planning and Zoning Board pages.

Building permits, zoning and development review in Fort Lauderdale are all handled by the city’s Development Services Department, at 700 NW 19th Ave. Its building division checks work against the Florida Building Code, reviews plans and does inspections. Every new application is filed online through LauderBuild, the city’s permit portal.

Who to call

• Development Services, general: 954-828-8000, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 700 NW 19th Ave.
• Permit Solutions Team (help with a stuck permit, fees, inspections): 954-828-3160, PermitSolutions@fortlauderdale.gov
• Zoning questions and Board of Adjustment: 954-828-6520, Zoning@fortlauderdale.gov; walk-in hours for simple questions 8 to 10 a.m. weekdays
• Planning: Planning@fortlauderdale.gov
• Apply online: LauderBuild

Applying for a permit

Anyone can use LauderBuild to look up a permit’s status or pay fees and fines. To apply, you need a free LauderBuild account. Registered users can:

• Apply for building, right-of-way (engineering) and planning permits
• Upload plans and answer reviewers’ comments in the LauderBuild Plan Room
• Schedule inspections and track permits
• Register rental or vacant property
• Apply for and renew business tax receipts

Plans have to be uploaded from a desktop computer; the city says mobile devices are not supported for submissions. Small “Walk-Thru” permits can be filed on LauderBuild at any time and are processed the next business day between 8 and 9:30 a.m.

The department says it aims to finish every initial permit review within 30 days. Fees are posted on the DSD fee schedules page, and forms on the DSD Documents and Forms page. Appointments with staff are booked through DSD Appointment Scheduling.

New in 2026: the $7,500 exemption

A state law, House Bill 803, took effect July 1, 2026. Under the city’s HB 803 page:

• Some cosmetic, nonstructural work on a single-family home valued under $7,500 may not need a building permit: interior painting, flooring, cabinets and minor drywall repairs, for example.
• It does not cover commercial property, condos, apartments or other multifamily buildings, homes in flood hazard areas, window replacements, air conditioning units, or any electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas or structural work.
• It is not automatic. Submit the Residential Permit Exemption Request form (PDF) with a contractor’s estimate through LauderBuild and wait for written approval before work starts.
• Single-family permits now expire one year after they are issued, or when the next Florida Building Code takes effect, whichever is later.

Zoning

To find your zoning, enter your address in the city’s Property Reporter map and choose “Expand All.” What each district allows is in the Unified Land Development Regulations. A few answers from the city’s zoning FAQ:

• Fences in city-zoned areas must sit at least 3 feet back from every street-side property line.
• Nothing but a mooring device can be attached to a seawall.
• A pool can go in a front yard if it is at least 5 feet from every property line.
• Interior signs need a permit and signed, sealed drawings from a Florida-licensed engineer.

Boards and meeting dates

The rest of the 2026 Board of Adjustment calendar:

Board of Adjustment applications are due by 5 p.m. on the deadline, about a month before the meeting. Planning and Zoning Board applications are due by noon on the first Friday of the month before the meeting, with pre-application sign-offs. Both boards require public notice signs 15 days before a meeting and a sign affidavit five days before. Full calendars: Planning and Zoning Board 2026 dates (PDF) and Board of Adjustment 2026 dates (PDF). Agendas and minutes are on the City Clerk’s boards page. Comments for the Planning and Zoning Board go to PlanningAndZoningBoard@fortlauderdale.gov and become part of the public record.

What this means for you

• Start on LauderBuild; there is no paper filing for new permits.
• Small cosmetic jobs on a house may skip the permit, but only after the city approves the exemption form.
• A variance on the Nov. 10 Board of Adjustment agenda needs a complete application by Friday, Oct. 9.

Related: who to call at City Hall and moving to Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a building permit in Fort Lauderdale?

Apply online through LauderBuild, the city’s Accela portal at aca3.accela.com/FTL, after registering for a free account. The Development Services Department reviews plans and inspects the work.

Do I need a permit for small home projects in Fort Lauderdale?

Since July 1, 2026, some cosmetic work on a single-family home valued under $7,500, such as interior painting or flooring, can be exempt. It is not automatic: you must file the exemption form and get written approval first.

How do I find the zoning for my property in Fort Lauderdale?

Enter your address in the city’s Property Reporter GIS map and select Expand All. The zoning office answers questions at 954-828-6520 or Zoning@fortlauderdale.gov.

When does the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board meet?

The Planning and Zoning Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. Applications are due by noon on the first Friday of the month before.

When does the Fort Lauderdale Board of Adjustment meet?

The Board of Adjustment usually meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Police Department community room, 1300 W. Broward Blvd. The remaining 2026 meetings are Oct. 14, Nov. 10 and Dec. 9.