Short Answer
Every roof replacement or repair in Orlando needs a permit. A licensed roofing contractor applies (or you sign an Owner/Builder Declaration in person), you record a Notice of Commencement if the job is over $5,000, and the work passes a dry-in inspection (code 125) and a final.
Key Takeaways
- Every residential re-roof in the City of Orlando needs a building permit.
- A licensed roofing contractor applies, or the homeowner signs an Owner/Builder Declaration.
- A Notice of Commencement is required for jobs over $5,000.
- Orlando requires a dry-in or in-progress inspection (code 125) and a final.
- The final requires an affidavit verifying roof-deck nailing and the secondary water barrier.
Quick Facts
| Orlando roofing permits (12 months) | 3,008; median 1 days to issue |
|---|---|
| Orlando solar panel permits (12 months) | 176; median 14 days to issue |
| Notice of Commencement | Required for work over $5,000 |
| City response | Contact within 3 business days of applying |
| Required inspections | Dry-in/in-progress (code 125) and final |
From our city pages and each city's open permit data (refreshed October 30, 2026).
Paperwork
- Contractor or owner-builder: a licensed roofing contractor applies, or a homeowner doing their own work signs an Owner/Builder Declaration.
- Notice of Commencement: required when the job is over $5,000.
Every Project Type in Orlando
These summaries come from the same official sources as our city pages and were last checked October 30, 2026. Permit counts are the city's own open-data records for the last 12 months.
Roofing: Yes
Replacing or repairing a roof on a home in Orlando needs a building permit. The City requires a dry-in/in-progress inspection and an affidavit at final verifying deck nailing and the secondary water barrier.
- Building permit required for residential re-roofs.
- Dry-in inspection (code 125) plus final with affidavit.
- Notice of Commencement if the work exceeds $5,000.
- Orlando issued 3,008 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 1 days from application to issue.
Source: City of Orlando: Apply for a Residential Roof Permit
HVAC: Yes
Installing or replacing a permanently installed air-conditioning or heating system in Orlando needs a Mechanical (MEC) permit. Portable and plug-in units do not.
- Mechanical (MEC) permit for permanent AC/heating systems.
- Contractors must be registered with Permitting Services.
- Owner-builders sign a declaration in person.
- Orlando issued 3,765 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 1 days from application to issue.
Source: City of Orlando: Mechanical (MEC) Permit Forms · Full details: Orlando HVAC Permits
Solar Panel: Yes
Orlando reviews residential solar with a Solar Plan Review Checklist, and the electrical work is permitted as 'New Solar' on the Electrical Permit Application.
- Electrical permit ('New Solar').
- Solar Plan Review Checklist applies.
- Contractors must hold a Florida license and be registered with the City.
- Orlando issued 176 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 14 days from application to issue.
Source: City of Orlando: Permitting Checklists · Full details: Orlando Solar Panel Permits
Fence: Sometimes
Orlando requires a fence permit if the fence is over 6 feet, masonry or reinforced, a pool barrier, on a corner lot or alley lot, near an easement, has vehicle or powered gates, or is in a floodplain. Other fences still must meet City Code.
- Permit if over 6 ft, masonry/concrete, or a pool barrier.
- Permit on corner lots, alley lots or near easements.
- Historic districts need a Certificate of Appropriateness; vinyl is not allowed there.
- Orlando issued 525 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 22 days from application to issue.
Source: City of Orlando: Apply for a Fence Permit · Full details: Orlando Fence Permits
| Project | Permit needed? | Permits (12 mo) | Median days to issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| roofing | Yes | 3,008 | 1 |
| HVAC | Yes | 3,765 | 1 |
| solar panel | Yes | 176 | 14 |
| fence | Sometimes | 525 | 22 |
Step-by-Step: What to Do
- Hire a licensed roofing contractor, or sign the Owner/Builder Declaration in person.
- Apply through the city's permit portal.
- Expect the city to contact you within 3 business days; pay the fee.
- Record the Notice of Commencement if the job is over $5,000.
- Pass the dry-in inspection before covering the underlayment, then the final.
Inspections
Orlando requires a dry-in/in-progress inspection (inspection code 125) once the underlayment is on, and a final inspection with an affidavit verifying roof-deck nailing and the secondary water barrier.
Orlando Permit Pages
See Orlando Roofing Permits for live counts, and Orlando Building Permits for other projects.
Step-by-Step Orlando Roof Permit Timeline
- Hire or decide to owner-build. A licensed roofing contractor applies, or you sign the Owner/Builder Declaration.
- Apply for the permit using the city's roof permit page and permitting checklists.
- Record the Notice of Commencement if the job is over $5,000, before the first inspection.
- Tear-off and dry-in. Once underlayment is on, request the dry-in/in-progress inspection (code 125).
- Finish and final. Request the final inspection and submit the affidavit on deck nailing and the secondary water barrier.
Why the Notice of Commencement Matters
In Florida a Notice of Commencement is a recorded document that identifies the property, owner and contractor for a construction project. Orlando requires one for roof jobs over $5,000. It helps protect owners and others with an interest in the property in matters involving payment of contractors and suppliers. Ask your contractor or a Florida attorney how it applies to your job, and keep a copy with the permit.
Owner-Builder Responsibilities
Signing the Owner/Builder Declaration means you, not a contractor, are responsible for the work meeting code and passing inspections. You are also responsible for anyone you hire to help. If you are not confident about deck nailing patterns and secondary water barriers, hiring a licensed roofer is usually the better choice. For timelines in other cities, see How Long Does a Building Permit Take? Real Timelines from 12 Cities, and for what inspectors check, Building Permit Inspections: What Inspectors Check and When.
Orlando Roof Permit Checklist
- Contractor license number, or a signed Owner/Builder Declaration.
- Notice of Commencement if the job is over $5,000.
- Product and installation details your checklist requires.
- Dry-in inspection booked once underlayment is installed.
- Final inspection affidavit on deck nailing and secondary water barrier.
Florida Roofing Considerations
Florida's climate shapes roof permitting. Wind resistance, secondary water barriers and roof-deck attachment are all inspection points, which is why Orlando's final affidavit asks specifically about deck nailing and the secondary water barrier. Product approvals for wind and water performance also matter, so ask your roofer which approved products they will install and keep the documentation. Insurers in Florida often ask for proof of permitted roof work, so a closed permit can matter for coverage as well as resale. To check the record after the job, see How to Look Up Building Permits for a House.
After You Pay: What Orlando Sends
Once fees are paid, the city emails the permit, the inspection sign-off sheet and an affidavit. Keep the sign-off sheet on site for inspectors. Orlando reinstated the dry-in inspection (code 125) on January 1, 2020; if it is skipped, the final can be disapproved and part or all of the roof covering may have to be removed so the underlayment can be seen.
Who Issues Permits in Orlando
Residential permits in Orlando are issued by the City of Orlando Permitting Services. Its website has the current application portal, fee schedule and inspection scheduling. Issued permits are published as open data in Orlando Permit Applications, which is the source of the permit counts and recent permits shown on our Orlando pages. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the department before you start work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I re-roof my own house in Orlando?
Orlando allows homeowners to act as owner-builders by signing an Owner/Builder Declaration; a permit and inspections are still required.
Do I need a Notice of Commencement for a roof in Orlando?
Yes, when the job is over $5,000.
What inspections does an Orlando roof permit need?
A dry-in or in-progress inspection (code 125) once underlayment is on, and a final inspection with an affidavit on deck nailing and the secondary water barrier.
What happens if I miss the dry-in inspection in Orlando?
The city says the roof may be disapproved at final inspection, and part or all of the covering may have to be removed for inspection.
How quickly does Orlando respond to a roof permit application?
The city says it contacts applicants within 3 business days. Our data shows a median of 1 day from application to issue.
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- City of Orlando: Apply for a Residential Roof Permit (linked above) (orlando.gov)
- City of Orlando: Permitting Checklists (linked above) (orlando.gov)