Yes, you likely need a permit before you can proceed with your plans to build a pole barn in Florida. While a pole barn offers many benefits – from lodging large animals to housing your own personal workshop – acquiring the permission to build one can be quite tedious.

While sometimes a building permit isn’t needed if the building is less than 14 feet in height, pole barns usually range from 24 to 32 feet in height, meaning you’ll most likely have to acquire a permit before you can start planning. This isn’t made any easier by the fact that each county has its own requirements, with some mandating a zoning permit on top of the necessary building permit.

At Bestway Portable Buildings Inc., we have experience navigating the bureaucracy surrounding Florida’s building laws and can help answer any questions you may have.

Steps to Get Your Florida Building Permit

Determine the Location

It’s best to review your county’s setback requirements early in the process before making any definitive plans. Setback requirements are the minimum distance a building’s front, rear and sides must be from roads, property lines and other buildings. These regulations are intended to keep properties within even distance of each other and avoid overcrowding, but in practice, they can be a headache for property owners.

Depending on whether you’re in a flood-prone area or not, you might also have to elevate your pole barn at least one foot off the ground to minimize possible property damage and comply with other additional floodplain specifications.

Double-Check Your County’s Size and Height Requirements

Part of your permit application will include undergoing a land survey, in which an official will be able to outline the Florida Building Code (FBC) restrictions you must obey while building, including size and height stipulations. Each county will have its own limitations on your pole barn’s dimensions to ensure it doesn’t obstruct your neighbors’ view or interfere with their property.

At Bestway Portable Buildings Inc., we’re familiar with the state’s varying building codes and will construct your pole barn on-site efficiently with those restrictions in mind.

Factor in Possible Electrical and Plumbing Elements

If you’re considering adding outlets or a septic tank to your pole barn, which may be the case if you intend to use it as a home office or workshop, then you’ll need additional permits to get approved for electrical and plumbing installation. We have access to a reliable network of electricians and plumbers who are knowledgeable on the FBC and the National Electrical Code (NEC)’s requirements and will help you obtain the necessary permits in a timely fashion.

File Your Florida Permit Application

Your permit application must thoroughly outline the design, location, estimated costs and intended use of your pole barn. It should include your site plans, blueprints and which contractors are involved. The cost of obtaining your building permit will vary depending on the scope and size of your proposed pole barn, which county you live in and their fees.

You should visit the Bay County permits website or the Panama City permits website to learn more about the process for having your pole barn project approved. Your local permitting office will have information on how much a building permit will cost you specifically.

Our team will take the stress out of the process, as we have the experience and resources necessary to help you file your application and get approval quicker. One of the advantages of pole barn construction is that it has a relatively short building timeline. Compared to other construction projects, it won’t take too long after approval for you to enjoy your new space.

We Have More Than 30 Years of Experience Building Pole Barns in the Panama City Area

At Bestway Portable Buildings Inc., our licensed contractors will help you build a pole barn within your budget that fulfills all your needs in as little as one to three weeks. Call (850) 747-8974 today or use our form to get a free quote on your building plan online and start designing your ideal pole barn.