Detached garage permits in Florida: a plain-language guide

Florida has one statewide building code, the Florida Building Code, enforced by your city or county building department. A detached garage needs a building permit.

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Do you need a permit?

• Florida law makes it unlawful to construct, erect or alter any building without first obtaining a permit from the local enforcing agency (Florida Statutes §553.79).
• Each building department must post every permit application type online with its list of required drawings and attachments, and accept applications electronically.

Wind and flood

• Plans must meet the wind-load requirements of the Florida Building Code for your location; Miami-Dade and Broward are a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone with stricter rules.
• If your lot is in a flood zone, the garage may have extra elevation or flood-vent requirements.

Owner-builders

• Florida lets property owners act as their own contractor for their own property in some cases, with a signed owner-builder disclosure statement (Florida Statutes §489.103). Your building department explains the details.

What to do

• Open your county or city building department's website and find the "accessory structure" or "detached garage" permit application and checklist.
• Expect to provide a site plan and building plans; many Florida departments also ask for wind-load design data or product approvals for doors and windows.

All popular sizes

Garage Planner opens straight at any of these sizes (any width 12–36 ft by depth 20–40 ft, in 2 ft steps):

12x20 · 12x24 · 14x22 · 16x24 · 20x20 · 20x24 · 22x24 · 24x24 · 24x30 · 26x32 · 28x28 · 30x30 · 30x40 · 32x28 · 36x40

With a gambrel loft: 16x24 loft · 20x24 loft · 22x24 loft · 24x24 loft · 24x30 loft · 26x32 loft · 28x28 loft · 30x30 loft · 30x40 loft

Sources

• Florida Statutes §553.79 (permits)
• Florida Statutes §489.103 (owner-builder exemption)
• Florida Building Commission / Florida Building Code

Checked November 7, 2026.