Davie Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Davie Building Permits, Inspections & Official Services

If you are planning a roof replacement, new windows, an addition, electrical work, an air-conditioning change-out, a pool, a fence, remodeling, or new construction in Davie, the Town of Davie Building Division is normally where the building-permit process begins.

What the Davie Building Division Handles

The Building Division reviews construction for compliance with the Florida Building Code and applicable local requirements. Its work is divided among structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and supporting permit staff.

Depending on the project, you may need one master permit plus separate trade permits.

If your property is not actually within the Town of Davie permitting jurisdiction, do not submit simply because the postal address says Davie. Our Broward building department guide explains how municipal and county jurisdiction can differ.

How to Apply for a Davie Building Permit in 2026

The easiest way to avoid delays is to prepare your documents before opening the portal. A missing addendum, incorrect PDF name, expired contractor credential, or incomplete plan set can stop an otherwise simple project.

1. Confirm the project and permit type.
   Write down exactly what is being built or changed. Identify whether structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, landscaping, engineering, fire, or zoning review may be involved.
2. Check the current project checklist.
   Open the Town’s official Building Forms page. Use the form and checklist that matches your project instead of reusing an old permit package.
3. Prepare the basic application documents.
   Complete the permit application and required addendum. Include accurate owner, property, contractor, job-description and job-value information. Signatures and notarization must be clear where required.
4. Start the request in OAS.
   Go to the official Online Application Submittal portal and choose the appropriate Building Permit or service request. The Town states that OAS became the required submission system for Building Department service requests on January 12, 2026.
5. Watch for the ProjectDox invitation.
   After the request is created, look for an email inviting you into the ProjectDox project. Check the spam or junk folder if it does not appear.
6. Upload every required file correctly.
   Use the project’s checklist and place applications, drawings and supporting documents in the proper folders. Follow the Town’s file-naming rules carefully.
7. Monitor plan review and respond to comments.
   If a reviewer requests corrections, update the affected documents and resubmit them through the existing project. Do not start a second application simply because comments were issued.
8. Wait for the confirmed amount due.
   Do not rely on an estimated balance shown in eSuite. The Town specifically tells applicants to wait for an email confirming the amount due before payment.
9. Pay and obtain the issued permit package.
   After payment is processed, retrieve the approved permit, permit card, receipt and approved documents as instructed. The permit portal advises allowing processing time after payment before the final documents are placed in the approved ProjectDox folder.

Documents to Prepare Before You Submit

Not every permit needs every document below, but preparing the applicable items in advance can save a return trip through plan review.

• Current building or trade permit application.
• Town of Davie addendum for applicable master or standalone permits.
• Property address and folio information.
• Detailed description and realistic value of the work.
• Current survey or site plan when setbacks, drainage, footprint, pool, fence, addition, equipment location or exterior work is involved.
• Construction drawings required for the scope.
• Structural engineering documents when applicable.
• Electrical, mechanical and plumbing plans when those trades are affected.
• Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA information for applicable regulated products.
• Energy documentation when required.
• Contractor license or Broward County Certificate of Competency.
• Current general liability documentation.
• Workers’ compensation certificate or qualifying exemption documentation.
• Business Tax Receipt.
• Notice of Commencement when required.
• Development and Environmental Review approval when applicable.
• Owner-Builder Disclosure Statement when using the statutory owner-builder exemption.

Davie’s required-documents instructions also recommend including a signed contract as evidence of job value when the work exceeds $5,000. For common areas in commercial buildings or condominiums, confirm the correct building identifier and folio number with property management before submitting.

ProjectDox Upload Rules That Commonly Cause Delays

ProjectDox is more particular about files than ordinary email. A plan can be technically correct and still be returned because the file was prepared incorrectly.

• Each drawing sheet should be uploaded as a separate file.
• The file name should match the drawing sheet number or name.
• Do not put the owner’s name, property address, date or permit number in a drawing filename unless the Town specifically instructs otherwise.
• Drawings should be landscape orientation.
• Drawings are expected as vector PDFs drawn to scale.
• Permit applications belong in the permit-application folder.
• Supporting material belongs in the appropriate document folder.
• Upload individual supporting documents as separate files where instructed.
• Do not encrypt, lock or password-protect files.
• NOA documents should be uploaded separately.
• For corrected or revised files, use the same filename as the original file being replaced.
• Avoid adding “rev1,” “rev2,” or similar version names unless specifically directed.

Davie Building Permit Fees in 2026

There is no single flat price for a Davie permit. Permit and plan-review charges depend on construction value, project type, number of disciplines, revisions, inspections, and applicable surcharges.

The fee schedule currently linked by the Town and reviewed for this guide is marked as modified effective October 1, 2025. It remains the Town’s published fee document as of this October 2026 review. Selected charges include:

Do not use this table as a final quote. State, county, technology, fire, plan-review and other charges can affect the total. More importantly, Davie warns that the balance displayed in eSuite can change during review.

Wait until the Building Division sends the confirmed invoice or balance-due email before paying. You can review the current official Building Division page before submitting payment.

How Payment Works

Once fees are finalized, the applicant on file receives payment instructions from the Town. Published payment options include online card payment through the provided payment link, telephone card payment, checks, and other options identified by the Town’s permit portal.

For mailed or dropped-off checks, the Building Division lists 8800 SW 36th Street, Davie, FL 33328 and instructs applicants to include the permit number.

Do not send money simply because an amount appears in eSuite. Wait for the confirmation from the Building Division.

How Long Does a Davie Permit Take?

There is no guaranteed approval time. The Town’s published FAQ says review time varies with project complexity and workload and that it generally attempts to review permit applications within 30 working days.

A simple A/C replacement is naturally different from a new commercial building with structural, fire, zoning, engineering and multiple trade reviews. The fastest way to help your own application is to submit a complete package and respond to review comments without changing filenames or leaving earlier comments unresolved.

How Long Is a Davie Permit Valid?

Davie’s published Building Division guidance states that an application has time limits before issuance and that an issued permit can expire if work does not begin or inspections stop for too long.

The Town currently explains that:

• An application can become invalid if it remains unissued beyond the applicable application period.
• Once issued, work should begin within the applicable 180-day period.
• A permit can expire when work is abandoned or required inspection activity stops for the period defined by the applicable code.
• Expired-permit renewal or extension requests are available through the Building Division.

If your permit is close to expiration, act before the expiration date. Renewal charges can be substantially higher after a permit has already expired.

How to Schedule a Davie Building Inspection

After the permit is issued and the work has reached an inspection stage, Davie provides three main scheduling methods.

Option 1: Automated phone line

Call 954-797-1128 or 954-797-1129. You need the phone access code and the inspection code from the inspection sheet in your permit package.

The Town notes that these codes are on the inspection sheet, not simply on the permit card.

Option 2: OAS

Open the OAS portal, choose the inspection-request service, and enter the requested permit and inspection information carefully. Incomplete requests can be declined.

Option 3: eSuite

Contractors with the appropriate account can use Davie eSuite to request inspections and view results.

What Time Will the Inspector Arrive?

Davie’s published inspection information says inspections are generally performed during the business-day inspection period. On the morning of the inspection, check eSuite after approximately 8:00 a.m. for the approximate timeframe.

If you need to speak with the inspector about that day’s visit, the Town advises calling 954-797-1111 during the early-morning inspector contact window.

Do not assume an exact appointment time unless the Division has specifically confirmed one.

Prepare the Job Site Before the Inspector Arrives

• Make sure the work being inspected is complete and accessible.
• Keep the permit card and required approved documents available.
• Do not cover framing, wiring, plumbing or other regulated work before the required inspection.
• Make sure gates, rooms, equipment and work areas can be accessed safely.
• Address previous correction comments before requesting reinspection.
• Confirm required Notice of Commencement documentation is on file when applicable.

Roof inspections: Davie specifically asks property owners and roofing contractors to have an OSHA-approved ladder properly set up and secured to the roof on inspection day so the inspector can safely access the work.

Canceling an Inspection

Davie’s current inspection notice states that an inspection cannot normally be canceled after 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day without possible additional permit charges. If a cancellation is necessary, contact the Building Division as early as possible.

How to Search Davie Permits and Inspection Results

You do not need an account simply to perform a general public permit search.

1. Open the Town of Davie eSuite permit portal.
2. Go to the public information search.
3. Search by service address, permit number or other available fields.
4. When using a permit number, enter the complete number.
5. Open the matching permit to review available permit and inspection information.

ProjectDox and eSuite serve different purposes. ProjectDox is primarily the plan-review workspace; eSuite is the public permit/status and inspection system. Mixing up the two portals is a common source of frustration.

Corrections and Revisions

If a plan reviewer issues comments, read all comments before uploading replacements. Davie’s ProjectDox instructions say corrected files should generally keep the same filename as the original document they replace.

For an actual revision after a permit has already been created or issued, use the revision/service request through OAS and upload the applicable revision form, plans and supporting documents into the project created for that request.

Changes to the design may trigger another review and additional fees. Do not construct from a changed design before the revision is approved when approval is required.

Walk-Through Permits in Davie

Davie offers a limited walk-through process for qualifying single-discipline permits. The regularly published period is Wednesday morning, generally 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. Temporary schedule changes can occur, so check the official Building page before visiting.

The Town’s current walk-through list includes qualifying work such as:

• Residential reroof permits.
• Garage doors.
• Shutters.
• Windows and doors.
• Electrical service changes.
• Miscellaneous added outlets.
• Like-for-like water heaters.
• Repipe work under the online walk-through instructions.
• A/C change-outs.

Walk-through does not mean “no documentation.” The application must still be complete, contractor credentials must be current, and the project must fit the eligible single-discipline category.

Owner-Builder Permits

Florida law allows an owner-builder exemption in limited situations, but it comes with real responsibility. An owner-builder is not simply borrowing a permit for an unlicensed contractor.

Davie provides an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement explaining that the owner becomes the responsible party of record and must comply with the restrictions of Florida law, including direct supervision requirements.

If you intend to use the exemption:

1. Read the current owner-builder disclosure before hiring anyone.
2. Make sure the project qualifies for the statutory exemption.
3. Complete the required disclosure.
4. If submitting the application in person, the Town requires the owner-builder to appear personally.
5. Do not allow an unlicensed person to act as the actual contractor while using your name as the permit holder.

Notice of Commencement in Davie

For applicable Florida construction projects, a Notice of Commencement must be recorded and the required information provided before inspections proceed.

Florida’s 2026 construction-lien law requires the permitting authority to obtain the applicable Notice of Commencement information before the first inspection when the direct contract exceeds $5,000. The statute provides a separate exception threshold for qualifying repair or replacement of an existing heating or air-conditioning system below $15,000.

Davie’s current addendum and project checklists use the same practical thresholds.

1. Complete the current Notice of Commencement form.
2. Record it with the appropriate Broward County recording office.
3. Keep the required recorded copy or recording information.
4. Provide it according to your permit instructions before the first required inspection.
5. Post the required documentation at the job site.

Planning, Zoning and County Approvals

A building permit confirms building-code compliance; it does not automatically resolve every zoning, drainage, environmental, fire, landscape or development issue.

For setbacks, property use, site planning, variances, development approvals or zoning questions, contact the Town of Davie Planning & Zoning Division at 954-797-1103. The office is in Building C at the same 8800 SW 36th Street municipal complex.

Some projects inside Davie can also require Broward County approvals. Our Broward County Building Department guide explains county-level permitting, environmental approvals, inspections and jurisdiction issues in more detail.

High-Velocity Hurricane Zone Requirements

Davie is in Broward County, which is part of Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. That matters especially for:

• Roof systems.
• Windows and exterior doors.
• Garage doors.
• Shutters.
• Exterior wall components.
• Structural connections.
• Sheds and accessory structures.
• Product approvals and installation details.

Do not assume that a product is acceptable merely because it is sold in Florida. The product approval, model, design pressure, installation method, substrate and fastening details must match the actual project conditions.

Other South Florida municipalities also operate their own HVHZ permitting procedures. For comparison, our Bal Harbour Building Department guide covers a separate municipal permitting workflow in the region.

Contractor Registration and Updates

Contractors must keep their credentials current with Davie. The Town’s contractor information lists the following common documents:

• State license or Broward County Certificate of Competency.
• General liability insurance.
• Workers’ compensation certificate or qualifying exemption.
• Business Tax Receipt.

Contractor registration and credential updates are submitted through OAS. Save each updated credential as a separate PDF when instructed.

Expired licensing or insurance information can stop permit issuance or prevent an inspection from being scheduled, so check credentials before submitting a time-sensitive project.

Certificate of Occupancy and Certificate of Completion

Passing one inspection does not necessarily mean the project is legally complete.

New construction and certain occupancy-related projects can require a Certificate of Occupancy, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, or related final approval. Other permitted work may close through a Certificate of Completion or final inspection process.

Before requesting final closure, make sure:

• All required trade inspections have passed.
• Outstanding review conditions are cleared.
• Required zoning, landscape, engineering or fire approvals are complete.
• Final documents are uploaded when required.
• All permit fees are paid.

Building Safety Inspection Program

Davie also participates in Broward County’s Building Safety Inspection framework for qualifying existing buildings. This is different from the inspections performed during an ordinary remodel or new-construction permit.

If a property receives a Building Safety Inspection notice, follow the instructions on that notice and use the Town’s current Building Safety Inspection forms. Do not assume that an old final building inspection satisfies the periodic safety-inspection requirement.

Common Davie Permit Problems and What to Do

Which Florida Building Code Applies in Late 2026?

As of this October 2026 review, the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) remains the effective statewide edition. Florida’s planned 9th Edition (2026) is scheduled to become effective on December 31, 2026.

This matters for projects submitted near the end of the year. A project filed after the new code takes effect may face different technical requirements. Broward-specific administrative and HVHZ provisions can also apply.

Official Davie Building Resources

• Building Division: Official Davie Building Division
• Apply or request services: Online Application Submittal (OAS)
• Permit search and inspections: Davie eSuite
• Forms: Building Forms
• Inspection instructions: Davie Inspections
• Planning and zoning: Planning & Zoning Division
• Online services guidance: Online Self Service

Davie Building Department FAQs