Florida Permit Desk

Polk County (FL) Permits: Search and Common Jobs

Last verified against official sources: · County guide

Independent guide, not a government site. Confirm every requirement with the building office for your address before starting work. Items marked Unverified could not be confirmed on an official page.
Office (unincorporated Polk County)Polk County Building Division
Address330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830 (also Northeast Government Center, 200 Government Center Blvd., Lake Alfred)
Phone863-534-6080 · buildingdivision@polkfl.gov
HoursMonday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Online permit searchAccela → Search Applications (address or parcel number without dashes)

Short answer: Polk County has 17 cities, towns and villages.[10] Most run their own building departments. The Polk County Building Division issues permits for the unincorporated county through its Accela portal.[1][6] A few small cities work through the County: Polk City processes its permits in the County's Accela system, Highland Park sends approved applications to the County, and Dundee uses the County's building official, inspectors and plan reviewers.[32][26][12] Check which side of a city line your property is on before you search or apply.

Who issues permits for your address

  • Unincorporated Polk County: Polk County Building Division, with offices in Bartow and Lake Alfred.[2][4]
  • Inside a city or town: see the table below. The Property Appraiser keeps a directory of permit agencies for every city and the County.[11]

You need the property's Parcel ID to apply. The County says you can get it from the Polk County Property Appraiser's website.[1][17] How to tell from the parcel record whether a property is inside city limits isn't explained there. Unverified (We found no official Polk page explaining how to read city limits from a parcel record. Ask the County or the city if you aren't sure.)

How to search permits by address

Unincorporated county: use the County's Accela portal.[6]

  1. Click Search Applications under Building.
  2. In General Search, enter the street number in both the From and To fields plus the street name, or enter the parcel number without dashes.
  3. For permits started in the old Hansen system, put a percent sign in front of the permit number (%######).[7]

The County says Accela holds permits from 2010 to today, and the County's historical permit search covers permits "dating back 15 years."[5] Use the Building Historical Permit Lookup for older records.[8] The Accela user guide dates from 2019, so some screens may look different.[7] Exactly how far back the historical lookup goes isn't stated clearly. Unverified (The County's 2023 page says "15 years"; we found no current statement of the earliest year online. For anything older, ask the Building Division.)

Inside a city: use that city's portal. For example, Lakeland uses iMS, Winter Haven uses Accela for new applications and its eSuite portal for permit history from 2025 and older, and Lake Alfred and Mulberry use their own Accela sites.[30][33][27][31]

Common jobs

The County's permitting page lists what does and doesn't need a permit. Examples:[1]

Needs a permit (unincorporated county):

  • All re-roofing, including mobile homes and park trailers.
  • Replacing windows, doors and garage doors, and installing permanent shutters or security bars.
  • A/C change-outs, electrical service changes, adding outlets or circuits, water heater change-outs and re-pipes.
  • Siding and soffit.
  • Pre-manufactured sheds and storage buildings, decks, carports with rigid roofs, in-ground pools and spas, and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep.
  • Masonry walls, fences with masonry pilasters, and solid fences over 8 feet high.[1]

No permit (unincorporated county):

  • Minor roof repairs under 25 percent, as determined by the Building Official or Plans Examiner Supervisor.
  • Chain link fences of any height, and stockade fences up to 8 feet high.
  • Minor electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs with no extensions or changes.
  • Replacing screening with like material, and small reach-in storage closets (up to 50 sq ft, 5 ft high, no electrical or plumbing).[1]

Questions: call the Bartow office at 863-534-6080 and ask for a plans examiner.[1] For roof, window and door permits, the County's inspection requirements include a completed, notarized roof affidavit or window and door affidavit.[9]

Work under $7,500 (HB 803)

Since 1 July 2026, state law exempts some single-family work under $7,500 from a building permit, but not electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work, and not in a flood hazard area. The owner or contractor must ask in writing first.[13] Dundee lists a Building Permit Exemption Request form.[21] Unverified (We found no Polk County Building Division page or form for the under-$7,500 exemption. Ask the Building Division at 863-534-6080 before starting work.)

County list vs. state law. The County's "Work Requiring a Construction Permit" list includes all re-roofing, window and door replacement, and siding and soffit, with no mention of the under-$7,500 exemption.[1] State law since 1 July 2026 says a local government must exempt qualifying non-structural single-family work under $7,500 on written request.[13] Ask the County which applies to your job.

Applying and owner-builder permits

  1. Apply online in Accela with the owner's name, property address and Parcel ID, directions (and gate code), a description of the work, and the total value.[1]
  2. Upload or deliver plans and pay applicable fees; plans are reviewed and approved.
  3. Upload the documents needed before issuance (construction waste/setback form, contractor and subcontractor information).
  4. After the permit is issued, a recorded Notice of Commencement or other documents may be needed before inspections.[1] State law requires it when the direct contract is over $5,000 (existing A/C repair or replacement under $15,000 excluded).[15]
  • Owner-builders: the County lists an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, Owner Builder Flood Hazard Notice and Owner Builder Pre-Power Request among its forms.[1] If you own a mobile home or park trailer on a rented lot, you can't permit additions as an owner-builder without notarized consent from the landowner.[1] State law limits the exemption to your own use: selling or leasing within 1 year of completion is presumed to violate it.[14] See our owner-builder guide.
  • Inspections: schedule by text at 833-856-0117 (text SCHEDULE, or RESULTS to check results).[9]
  • Check any contractor's state license on DBPR.[16]

Fees

Building permit fees are set by Construction Fees Resolution 17-025 (effective 3 July 2017) and are due when the permit is issued. New homes also pay impact fees, which the County lists on its permitting page by zone and date.[1]

Contacts (Polk County)

What Contact
Building Division, Bartow 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830 · 863-534-6080 · buildingdivision@polkfl.gov[3][4]
Building Division, Lake Alfred Northeast Government Center, 200 Government Center Blvd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850[4]
Hours Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m.[3]
Land Development 863-534-6449[3]
Inspections by text 833-856-0117[9]

The County closed both Building Division offices on five Fridays (11 Sept.–9 Oct. 2026); regular Friday hours resumed 16 October.[4]

Municipalities in Polk County (17)

City or town Who handles building permits Phone / contact
Auburndale City Construction Services, 108 East Park St.; online permitting platform[18] 863-965-5530 · permit@auburndalefl.com[18]
Bartow City Building Department, 195 S. Broadway Ave.; online application[19] 863-534-0157[19]
Davenport City Building and Planning Department, 201 W. Magnolia St.[20] 863-419-3300[20]
Dundee Town Development Services, 124 Dundee Road; applications by email. Polk County provides building official, inspection and plan review services under a 2025 interlocal agreement[21][12] 863-438-8330 · permits@townofdundee.com[21]
Eagle Lake City Building Department, 75 N. 7th St.; online permitting and inspection portal[22] 863-229-5032[22]
Fort Meade City Building & Permitting, 8 W. Broadway; online permit portal[23] 863-285-1174 / 863-285-1162[23]
Frostproof City Building Department, City Hall, 111 W. First St.; applications by email or fax[24] 863-635-7854 · clerk@cityoffrostproof.com; inspections 863-635-7851[24]
Haines City City Building Division, 620 E. Main St.[25] 863-421-3600 · permitting@hainescityfl.gov[25]
Highland Park Village reviews and approves applications first, then they go to Polk County[26] 863-455-6518[26]
Hillcrest Heights Listed by the Property Appraiser as using the County's permit lookup[11] 863-638-2732 (Town)[11]
Lake Alfred City Community Development, 155 N. Lake Shore Way; Accela portal[27] 863-291-5748 · permits@mylakealfred.com[27]
Lake Hamilton Town permitting department; building and zoning review; online portal[28] 863-439-1910[28]
Lake Wales City Building Division, 201 W. Central Ave.; contractor portal[29] 863-676-5115 ext. 9201 · Permitting@LakeWalesFL.gov[29]
Lakeland City Building Inspection Division; iMS portal[30] 863-834-6012[30]
Mulberry City Building Department, 400 N. Church Ave.; Accela[31] 863-425-1125 ext. 420[31]
Polk City City Building, 123 Broadway Blvd. SE; permits processed in Polk County's Accela system[32] 863-984-1375 ext. 231[32]
Winter Haven City Building Division, 490 Third St. NW; Accela for new applications[33] 863-291-5695[33]

Hillcrest Heights: Unverified (We found no Town or County page confirming who issues Hillcrest Heights building permits. The Property Appraiser's directory points to the County's permit lookup. Call the Town or the County.)

Directory vs. city websites. The Property Appraiser's directory says Davenport, Eagle Lake and Fort Meade use the County's permit lookup.[11] Eagle Lake's and Fort Meade's own pages now send you to their own online portals, and Davenport's page lists its own building staff.[22][23][20] Use the city's own page first.

Common questions

How do I look up permits on a Polk County property?

For unincorporated Polk County, use the County's Accela portal: choose Search Applications, then enter the street number and street name, or the parcel number without dashes.[6][7] The County says Accela holds permits from 2010 to today, and its historical permit lookup covers older records.[5][8] Inside a city, use that city's system.

Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Polk County?

The County's list says all re-roofing needs a permit, including mobile homes. Minor roof repairs under 25 percent, as determined by the Building Official or Plans Examiner Supervisor, don't.[1] Since July 2026, state law also lets some non-structural single-family work under $7,500 be exempt on written request.[13]

Does Polk County issue permits inside Lakeland or Winter Haven?

No. Lakeland and Winter Haven run their own building offices and portals.[30][33] Polk County's Building Division covers unincorporated areas, and a few small cities process permits through the County's system.[32][26][11]

Can I schedule a Polk County inspection by text?

Yes. Text SCHEDULE to 833-856-0117 and follow the prompts for permit number, inspection code, date and a.m. or p.m. Text RESULTS to check results.[9]

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 22 October 2026.

  1. Polk County: Building Permitting (what needs a permit, steps, fees, forms)
  2. Polk County: Building Division services and offices
  3. Polk County: Building Plan Review (contact and office hours)
  4. Polk County news: Temporary Friday closures for Building Division offices (Aug. 31, 2026)
  5. Polk County: Polk County Building Permits (Nov. 30, 2023)
  6. Polk County Accela portal: Search for Records (Building)
  7. Polk County: Building Accela User Guide (PDF, 2019)
  8. Polk County: Building Historical Permit Lookup
  9. Polk County: Building Inspections (text scheduling, photo requirements)
  10. Polk County: Elected Officials and Cities (17 municipalities)
  11. Polk County Property Appraiser: Permit Agencies in Polk County
  12. Polk County BoCC agenda item 25-0769: Town of Dundee interlocal agreement (May 6, 2025)
  13. Florida Statutes § 553.79 (2026), Permits; applications; issuance; inspections
  14. Florida Statutes § 489.103 (2026), Exemptions (owner-builder)
  15. Florida Statutes § 713.135 (2026), Notice of commencement and applicability of lien
  16. Florida DBPR: License search
  17. Polk County Property Appraiser
  18. City of Auburndale: Construction Services
  19. City of Bartow: Building Department
  20. City of Davenport: Building and Planning
  21. Town of Dundee: Building Department (Development Services)
  22. City of Eagle Lake: Building
  23. City of Fort Meade: Building & Permitting
  24. City of Frostproof: Building Department
  25. City of Haines City: Building Division
  26. Village of Highland Park: Utilities and services (building permits)
  27. City of Lake Alfred: Building Permits
  28. Town of Lake Hamilton: Community Development Department
  29. City of Lake Wales: Building Division
  30. City of Lakeland: Building Inspection
  31. City of Mulberry: Building Department
  32. City of Polk City: Building
  33. City of Winter Haven: Building Permits & Licenses