Manatee County to Reduce Building Permit Fees

The reduction in fees, approved by the Manatee County Commission last week, is the result of a strong rebound in the local economy.

“This set of lowered permit fees is the latest in a long line of customer improvements we’ve made at the Manatee County Building and Development Services Department over the past few years,” said Director John Barnott. “The new fees will lower the cost of doing business here while adequately covering staff expenses in the Department.” 

Barrett said the permits are now fully covering expenses of the Building and Development Services Department. The fees can only be used to fund the Building Division and cannot supplement other parts of the county budget. 

A state-mandated 3 percent Florida Building Code Surcharge fee still applies to all permit fees.

Changes that go into effect tomorrow include: 

• All sheds and residential fences in unincorporated areas must be permitted through the division. The new policy replaces an older policy that only required building permits for sheds over 120-square feet or taller than 8-feet. 
• The Building division will now require a state-issued garage door installation license before approving new garage door installations.