Administrative overview · FIPS 12057
Hillsborough County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Hillsborough County Development Services
For a project in or near Hillsborough County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
813-272-5600
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Fred B. Karl County Center, 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Development Services Tech Center, Tampa, FL 33602
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; HillsGovHub is normally available online 24/7 except maintenance or outages.
Review expectation
N/A; the County states that each project is unique and publishes no dependable general building-permit review timeline. HillsGovHub provides application status, and qualifying competitive-site or affordable-housing projects may receive expedited review.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Hillsborough County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Hillsborough County Development Services is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 813-272-5600.
How long might review take?
N/A; the County states that each project is unique and publishes no dependable general building-permit review timeline. HillsGovHub provides application status, and qualifying competitive-site or affordable-housing projects may receive expedited review.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule, reschedule or cancel inspections through HillsGovHub; the County also provides step-by-step and virtual-inspection guidance. Submit an in-person inspection request by 11:59 PM for the following business day. Most inspections are in person, although eligible work may be inspected virtually. Email Permitting@HCFL.gov or call 813-272-5600 for help or contact the assigned inspector. A failed inspection may incur a $125 reinspection fee.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, including Building, Residential, Existing Building, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Accessibility requirements, plus the 2020 National Electrical Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Hillsborough County Construction Code administrative and flood-damage-control provisions, and applicable Land Development Code requirements. The 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code takes effect statewide December 31, 2026. Typical exemptions include painting, tile, carpet and other floor coverings, wallpaper, shelving, cabinetry, furnishings, decorations, fascia, soffit, gutters/downspouts and routine nonstructural maintenance; preliminary test borings and soil sampling; Port Authority-approved docks; PVC, wood or chain-link privacy fencing subject to zoning; residential sheds and greenhouses under 150 square feet; limited owner or low-cost residential low-voltage work; portable heating, ventilation and cooling equipment and minor like-for-like parts; limited plumbing leak/stoppage repair and water-closet removal/reinstallation; and septic-tank cleaning. Under the July 2026 HB 803 process, qualifying nonstructural single-family work under $7,500 may be exempt only after an exemption application and value documentation are submitted in HillsGovHub; it excludes flood-hazard properties and electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work. Other codes and agency approvals still apply.