Fort Lauderdale Permit Search: Find Records, Status & Inspection Results
Important jurisdiction check: LauderBuild is for records handled by the City of Fort Lauderdale. A Fort Lauderdale mailing address does not automatically prove that the City issued the permit. Properties outside City jurisdiction may use Broward County or another municipality.
How to Search a Fort Lauderdale Building Permit
You do not need to begin with a third-party permit database. The City’s own LauderBuild portal provides public access to permit records and is the best place to confirm an official status.
-
Open the City’s permit search.
Go directly to the LauderBuild Permit Search. -
Use the permit number when available.
Enter the complete record number, including letters and dashes. A permit number is usually the quickest way to avoid matching several properties. -
If you do not know the number, search the address.
Start with only the street number and street name. Do not fill every field on the first attempt. -
Open the matching record.
Check the address and project description carefully so you do not confuse two permits at the same property. -
Review the record status and details.
Look at the permit type, current status, project description, related professionals, property information and other available record data. -
Open “Record Info.”
Use this menu for deeper information such as Processing Status, Related Records, Attachments and Inspections.
Permit Number, Address and Older Record Search Tips
Fort Lauderdale’s search screen has a few details that can save a lot of time, especially when researching an older property.
| Situation | What to enter | Useful tip |
|---|---|---|
| You know the current permit number | Complete record number | Include all letters and dashes, such as the format shown by the City: BLD-ROOF-0000001. |
| You only know the address | Street number + street name | Begin with fewer fields. Add direction, unit or ZIP only if needed. |
| Permit predates October 4, 2019 | Older permit number with PM- prefix |
The City instructs users to add the prefix for older permit records. |
| Exact permit number returns nothing | Partial number using % |
A search such as %19030028 can locate records when the complete prefix is uncertain. |
| Street spelling may vary | Street number + partial street name | LauderBuild accepts % as a wildcard in supported fields. |
| You have property identification | Parcel number | Use the parcel field rather than forcing the identifier into an address box. |
What Information Can You Find in a Fort Lauderdale Permit Record?
The public record is more useful than a simple “open” or “closed” label. Depending on the permit and record type, LauderBuild can show information that helps a homeowner, buyer, contractor or property professional understand what happened on the project.
| Record area | What it can tell you |
|---|---|
| Main record details | Record number, permit type, current status, expiration information, work location and project description. |
| Contacts / licensed professionals | Available applicant, contractor or design-professional information associated with the record. |
| Application information | Project details such as declared job value and other permit-specific information. |
| Processing Status | The sequence of review or permit-processing tasks and available comments or details. |
| Related Records | Other connected records, such as electrical, plumbing or other permits related to the same project. |
| Attachments | Documents or files that are publicly available for that particular record. |
| Inspections | Upcoming or completed inspection activity, status and available result details. |
| Payments / fees | Assessed fee information and outstanding balances when displayed by the portal. |
If you are checking a property before purchase or renovation, review Related Records rather than looking at only one permit. A remodel may have a main building permit plus separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical records.
How to Check Fort Lauderdale Permit Status Correctly
The status shown at the top of a permit is useful, but it may not explain what is holding up the project. For a deeper check, open the record and review the City’s processing workflow.
- Search the complete permit number in LauderBuild.
- Open the correct record.
- Select the arrow beside Record Info.
- Choose Processing Status.
- Expand the individual review steps, arrows and plus signs.
- Read the detail under each step for comments, dates and available review information.
Why this matters
A permit can appear active while one review discipline is waiting on a correction, supporting document or another related action. Reading only the top-level status can therefore miss the actual next step.
If you are the applicant, make a short list of every open issue before uploading anything. Resolving one comment while missing two others can create another review cycle.
How to Find Plan-Review Comments and Correction Requests
Fort Lauderdale processes new permit applications digitally. For permits using the LauderBuild Plan Room, applicants connected to the record can see more detailed plan-review information.
- Sign in to your LauderBuild account.
- Use Global Search and enter the complete record number, including letters and dashes.
- Open the permit record.
- Select the Plan Room tab when it is available for the record.
- Review the Plan Room Summary.
- Check the Issues, Conditions and Notes areas for details that require attention.
For a simple public status check, you normally do not need to sign in. Account access becomes more important when you need applicant-specific functions, uploads, corrections or other record management tools.
Fort Lauderdale Building Inspections: View, Schedule and Check Results
Inspection information is accessed from the permit itself. Do not create a second permit just because you need an inspection.
How to view inspection information
- Open the official LauderBuild permit search.
- Find the permit by record number or address.
- Open the matching record.
- Choose Record Info → Inspections.
- Review upcoming and completed inspection activity.
- Open the inspection details to see the actual result and any available comments.
How to schedule an inspection online
- Open the applicable permit record.
- Select Record Info.
- Select Inspections.
- Choose Schedule an Inspection.
- Select the required inspection type and continue.
- Select an available date.
- Select All Day when prompted by the City’s scheduling workflow.
- Verify the inspection location and contact information.
- Select Continue and Finish.
- Return to the inspection area and confirm the request appears on the record.
The City states that inspections are scheduled based on availability and that an exact inspection time cannot be guaranteed. If you need to discuss a more specific arrival window, contact the assigned inspector.
How to Find Older Fort Lauderdale Permit Plans and Property Records
LauderBuild is the first place to search, but it is not the only City source. Fort Lauderdale’s Property Records Office maintains digital and microfilm records of building permits and plans for properties within the City.
This is especially useful when you are researching an older house, trying to locate original building plans, checking work that predates the current portal or preparing for a renovation.
-
Confirm the property is actually in Fort Lauderdale.
The City recommends confirming the property address or folio before requesting records. You can also use the City’s Property Reporter GIS. -
Search LauderBuild first.
Note every permit number and approximate date you can identify. -
Prepare a focused records request.
Include the property address, relevant permit numbers, approximate years and the specific document you need. -
Email Property Records.
Send digital requests to PropertyRecords@fortlauderdale.gov. -
Use in-person microfilm service when needed.
The Property Records Office states that microfilm can be viewed and copied between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The City asks customers to allow up to 48 hours for a response to records requests received by phone or email. Some requests may require an in-person visit.
Current City property-record fees
| Record service | Published charge |
|---|---|
| Property-record research | $20 per hour or $5 per 15-minute increment |
| 8.5 × 11 copy | $0.15 per page |
| 8 × 14 copy | $0.50 per page |
| 11 × 17 copy | $1.00 per page |
| 24 × 36 plan copy | $3.00 per page |
| 36 × 48 plan copy | $4.00 per page |
| Certified / true copy | $1.00 per page |
| Microfilm / microfiche | $2.00 per page |
Building-plan pricing may depend on plan size. Certain protected or exempt records can require additional authorization before release.
Why You May Not Find a Permit — and What to Try Next
A “no results” screen does not prove that no permit exists. Before assuming the work was unpermitted, work through these checks.
| Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|
| Too many search fields | Remove ZIP, unit, direction and other optional information. Search only street number and street name. |
| Older permit number | For a permit created before October 4, 2019, try the City’s required PM- prefix. |
| Number format is uncertain | Try a partial record search using the % wildcard. |
| Property is not inside Fort Lauderdale | Verify jurisdiction before searching another system. |
| Older documents were not fully available online | Contact Fort Lauderdale Property Records for digital or microfilm research. |
| You are looking for a connected trade permit | Open the main permit and check Related Records for electrical, plumbing, mechanical or other linked permits. |
Fort Lauderdale City vs. Broward County
This is one of the most common sources of confusion. The City only processes permit applications for addresses within its jurisdiction. If the property is in an unincorporated area or another jurisdiction, the permit may be kept somewhere else.
If you determine that Broward County rather than the City is responsible, see our Broward Building Department guide for County permit search and inspection instructions.
A 2026 Permit Rule That Can Affect Your Record Search
Florida House Bill 803 changed part of Fort Lauderdale’s permitting process effective July 1, 2026. The City explains that certain cosmetic, non-structural work valued under $7,500 on qualifying single-family properties may be exempt from the normal building-permit requirement.
The exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas or structural work, and the City states that properties partially or entirely within a flood hazard area do not qualify. Commercial, condominium, apartment and multifamily projects are also outside this specific exemption.
This matters during a permit-history search because the absence of a normal building permit does not always tell the complete story for qualifying 2026 work. Check the available property records and ask for the approved exemption documentation when relevant.
Fort Lauderdale Permit Search and Records Contacts
| Need | Official contact or resource |
|---|---|
| Permit search / status | LauderBuild Permit Search |
| LauderBuild instructions | City LauderBuild page |
| Inspection assistance | 954-828-6520, option 1 |
| Development Services general help | 954-828-8000 |
| Property-record requests | PropertyRecords@fortlauderdale.gov |
| Development Services office | 700 NW 19th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 |
| Development Services hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Property Records | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; microfilm viewing/copying 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
Best Way to Research a Property Before You Buy or Remodel
If you are checking more than one active permit, use a property-history approach rather than stopping at the first search result.
- Confirm the property is inside Fort Lauderdale City jurisdiction.
- Search the address broadly in LauderBuild.
- Open each relevant building permit.
- Check Related Records for trade permits.
- Review Processing Status rather than relying only on the top-level label.
- Open Inspections and read the actual result details.
- Look for final inspection or close-out information relevant to the project.
- If older plans are missing, request records from the City’s Property Records Office.
For a buyer, an “open” permit deserves more investigation, but it should not be interpreted without reading the inspection history and detailed processing information. For an owner, unresolved permit activity is easier to discuss with City staff when you already have the exact record number, address and outstanding step in front of you.
Fort Lauderdale Building Permit Search FAQs
1. How do I search for a Fort Lauderdale building permit?
Open the official LauderBuild Permit Search and enter the complete permit number. If you do not know the number, search by street number and street name. Public permit searches can be performed without creating an account.
2. Can I search Fort Lauderdale permits by address?
Yes. LauderBuild supports address searches. Start with only the street number and street name because the City recommends a broad search when exact results are not appearing.
3. How do I find an old Fort Lauderdale permit from before 2019?
For a permit created before October 4, 2019, the City’s permit search instructs users to prefix the record number with PM-. If the online record is incomplete, contact the Property Records Office for digital or microfilm records.
4. How do I check the status of a Fort Lauderdale permit?
Search the record in LauderBuild, open it and review the current status. For more detail, select Record Info and then Processing Status. Expand the individual review steps to see available comments and activity.
5. Does a green checkmark in LauderBuild mean my permit review passed?
No. Fort Lauderdale’s published LauderBuild instructions say a green checkmark means the task is completed. It does not by itself mean the task was accepted, approved or passed. Expand the item to read the detailed result.
6. How do I check Fort Lauderdale building inspection results?
Open the permit in LauderBuild and select Record Info → Inspections. Review completed inspections and open the individual details to see the available result and comments.
7. How do I schedule a Fort Lauderdale inspection?
Open the permit record, select Record Info → Inspections → Schedule an Inspection, choose the inspection type, select an available date and All Day option, verify the location and contact, then finish the request.
8. Why can’t I find a permit for my Fort Lauderdale address?
The search may be too specific, the record number may use an older format, the property may be outside City jurisdiction, or an older record may require Property Records research. Remove unnecessary address fields and verify jurisdiction before assuming no permit exists.
9. Where can I request old Fort Lauderdale building plans?
The City of Fort Lauderdale Property Records Office maintains digital and microfilm records of building permits and plans. Digital requests can be sent to PropertyRecords@fortlauderdale.gov. Some records may require in-person service or additional authorization.
10. Is every Fort Lauderdale-area property searched through the City LauderBuild system?
No. LauderBuild applies to City of Fort Lauderdale records. Properties outside City jurisdiction may be permitted by Broward County or another municipality, so confirm the jurisdiction before relying on a City search.
Use the Permit Record, Not Just the Search Result
A Fort Lauderdale building permit search is most useful when you open the full record. Start with LauderBuild, keep the search simple, then review Processing Status, Related Records and Inspections. For older or incomplete files, use the City’s Property Records Office rather than assuming the online search contains the property’s entire history.
If your next step is an inspection, correction, document upload or permit payment, move from this research to the official City system using the permit number you already verified. That reduces wrong-record mistakes and makes communication with City staff much easier.