The Building Department can help you determine which permits are required for a project.  The information here provides an introduction.
 

Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code states:
 Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the Technical Codes, or cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit for the work.

The most common types of projects for which permits are requested are listed below with submission requirements. Any submission that does not meet these minimum requirements will not be accepted.

All applications submitted MUST have a notarized qualifier signature. A contract or estimate signed by the property owner can be used in lieu of their notarized signature on the application.

For fence and swimming pool permits:  If property is adjacent to a Melbourne-Tillman water canal, a permit is required for temporary access of right of way use. The following link is to the application with the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

Melbourne-Tillman Application

Property Additions or Alterations – Basic Permit Application plus the following: 

• Any two-story addition on existing footers will require an engineer to verify that the existing footer is adequate, or to make recommendations as to what will be required to carry the additional load, signed and sealed.
• A tread and riser detail and handrail/guardrail detail showing compliance with the 2020 Florida Building Code. 
• Two (2) sets of engineered drawings for residential.
• Three (3) sets of engineered drawings for commercial.

Demolition - Demolition Permit Application plus the following: 

• Two (2) sets of construction plans for residential
• Three (3) sets of construction plans for commercial

 Detached Structures (Detached Utility Buildings, Garages) – Basic Permit Application plus the following:

• Must have two (2) copies of the property survey, to scale, showing the location of the proposed construction
• Two (2) sets of construction drawings, to scale, showing the size, type, and method of construction (frame/block), wall section and location of overhead power lines. 
• Two (2) copies of the product approval affidavit listing the components and cladding (doors, windows, roofing, etc.) 
• One (1) set of manufactures installation requirements and Florida Product Approval information or signed and sealed details by a professional engineer who is registered in the State of Florida for each product listed on the affidavit.

Doors/Windows/Shutters – Basic Permit Application plus the following:

• Two (2) completed Product Approval Affidavit Form 
• Two (2) drawings of the location, openings numbered and marked with the size and type of window/door to be installed (see sample drawing here)
• Window and Door Buck Affidavit form must be on-site at the final inspection.

Driveways/Pavers/Patio Concrete Slabs – Basic Permit Application plus the following:

• Must have two (2) copies of the property survey showing the location of the proposed work to include all dimensions, to scale
• Two (2) sets of plans showing location and type of pavement, how deep, size measurements and wire mesh or fiber mesh, and psi of concrete. 
• A CITY USE PERMIT may be required if the driveway goes through the City right-of-way.

Electrical Work/Solar PV – Basic Building Application plus the following:

• Two (2) riser diagrams OR
• Two (2) electrical wire drawings OR
• Two (2) load calculations for adding circuits to an existing panel
• For solar - all of the above plus two (2) sets of plans to include engineer drawings of the attachment points with wind loads and spec sheets for all equipment to be used including racking system

 Fences/Block Walls – Fence Permit Application plus the following:

• Must have two (2) copies of the property survey, to scale, marked showing the proposed fence location. Each section must show linear feet and/or gates.
• Type (chain link, wood, block, etc), total length and height along with number and width of any gates must be in the description field of the application. 
• City of West Melbourne code for fence can be found here.

Gas Line - Gas Line Permit Application plus the following:

• Two (2) copies of the property survey showing
  • distance from home and property line
  • approximate location of gas line

Mechanical Change Out or Duct Work – Mechanical Permit Application plus the following:

• Two (2) AHRI for residential and commercial projects
• Two (2) sets of installation instructions for tie-down for commercial projects
• Drawing of duct layout, if applicable

Mobile Home Setups – New Residential Permit Application plus the following: 

• Must have two (2) copies of a plot plan drawing showing the lot size, the location and size of the mobile home being placed on the lot, and the distance between this mobile home and abutting mobile homes. 
• A letter is required from the Mobile Home Park authorizing placement of the mobile home. 
• A Brevard County impact fee may be required. 
• Indicate tie-down method.
   

Outdoor Sales / Tent Sales - Outdoor Sales Application plus the following:

• Two (2) copies – Site plan showing tent placement
• Two (2) copies – Certificate of Flame Resistance
• Two (2) copies – Floor plan

Plumbing/Water Heater/Solar Pool Heater - Basic Building Application plus the following:

• Two (2) drawings of new water lines
• Two (2) product details for the water heater
• Two (2) sets of plans for the pool heater

Re-roof – Roof Permit Application plus the following:

• Two (2)  product approval affidavits
• A copy of the Nail Affidavit is to be on-site at dry-in, not submitted with the permit application.
• Roof Inspection Requirements

Swimming Pools/Spas (In-ground & Above Ground); Pool Resurface – Swimming Pool Permit Application plus the following:

• Must have two (2) copies (full size, to scale) of the property survey from at least foundation stage, showing the pool/spa location from all lot lines to the water’s edge and distances from any other structure drawn to scale on the survey and location of overhead power lines.
• Two (2) sets of plans showing pool/spa size (length, depth, width), pool/spa specification and equipment list, pump connections, pump horsepower, electrical connections and GFI location, plumbing connections, and pool barrier detail. 
• Two (2) sets of signed and sealed engineered drawings must be on file, showing tank construction and indicating compliance with the 2020 Florida Building Code Chapter 45.

Screen Rooms/Pool Enclosures – Basic Permit Application plus the following:

• Must have two (2) copies of the property survey, to scale, showing the proposed size and location of the structure
• two (2) sets of construction drawings showing method of construction. 
• ALL construction is required to be done by a licensed contractor and the drawings submitted must be signed and sealed by an engineer or architect.

Shed – Basic Building Permit Application plus the following:

• Two (2) surveys marked with the location of the shed with distance from property lines clearly marked
• Two (2) sets of product approvals with installation instructions
   

New Residential Building - for ground up builds only - New Residential Building plus the following: 

• Two (2) sets of plans
• Two (2) sets of energy calculations
• Two (2) sets of engineer drawings
• Two (2) sets of product approvals

 New Commercial Building – for ground up builds only - New Commercial Building plus the following: 

• Three (3) sets of plans
• Three (3) sets of engineer drawings
• Three (3) sets of product approvals

REDUCED COPIES OF SURVEYS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, ALL SURVEYS MUST BE A FULL COPY TO SCALE.

Homeowners who are acting as the owner-builder must also complete the owner-builder disclosure form.

When acting in the capacity of owner-builder, the owner is, in essence, a contractor. Therefore, the same requirements are necessary for construction permits:

• A completed permit application.
• Proof of property ownership. This can be a copy of a "recorded deed", current tax statement from the County Tax Assessor, or print-out from the Brevard County Property Appraisers website.
• A completed Owner-Builder Disclosure form.
• If the construction value exceeds $2,500, a recorded copy of the Notice of Commencement is required to be submitted prior to obtaining the first inspection. It is preferred to be dropped off with the permit application, or at the latest, when picking up the permit. 

Any of the following that is applicable to the type of work being completed:

• Energy calculations are required for new construction and additions only. Forms can be prepared by an air conditioning company or an insulation company.
• When applicable, attach a copy of any variance that will apply to this application/construction, or a copy of Architectural Review Board (A.R.B.) approval.
• Two (2) copies of a survey are required, showing where the addition is located on the property, drawn to the same scale as the survey (reduced copies of surveys will not be accepted, all surveys must be a full copy - to scale).
• Garage doors, windows, doors, shutters, roofing, etc. shall have two (2) completed Product Approval Affidavit Form.
• Two sets of building plans, drawn to scale, on a minimum 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper. Plans are required to be sealed by an engineer or architect, stating compliance with Section 1609 of the 2020 Florida Building Code for 150 MPH wind speed.

The following is required to be shown on the plans:

• Floor plan showing use of space, existing & proposed
• Calculated total living area, garage area and patio areas where applicable
• Wall sections including framing materials and spacing
• Roof framing layout and overhang including material, spacing, and uplift sealed by the truss company or engineer of record.
• Electrical layout showing any new outlets and fixture locations
• Smoke detector locations - required inside and outside of each bedroom. ARC fault protection required in each bedroom.
• Location of GFI outlets as required by the 2011 NEC. 
• New plumbing fixtures and connections to existing system
• Any fixtures that will be gas
• A/C duct layout
• Window schedule showing window sizes and type, existing and proposed. Installation specifications, design pressures, and anchoring method.
• Door schedule showing door sizes and type, existing and proposed.  Installation specifications, design pressures, and anchoring method.
• Strength of concrete
• Attic access location (22" x 30" minimum) if required

Exception: Permits shall not be required for the following work:

• Any portable heating appliance;
• Any portable ventilation equipment;
• Any portable cooling unit;
• Any steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this Code;
• Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe;
• Any portable evaporative cooler;
• Any self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 lb (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
• The installation, replacement, removal or metering of any load management control device.
• Re-tiling work.
• Installation of new cabinetry.

The City of West Melbourne Building Department accepts permit applications via e-mail for any type of permit with digitally signed plans. If the plans are wet signed/sealed the permit application and plans must be dropped off or mailed in to City Hall. 

Instructions for E-Mail Permitting

1. Scan all submittal documents (signed/notarized permit applications, recorded notice of commencement, contract, surveys, etc.) that are required for your permit type into separate PDF files. (NOTE:  ONE (1) PDF OF DIGITALLY SIGNED PLANS IS PREFERRED WITH A MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) PDF'S ACCEPTED)
2. Attach the documents to your e-mail and send to buildingpermits@westmelbourne.gov. Please note that e-mail attachments must be less than 10 MB in size. If files are very large, please use our large file upload system by clicking here.
3. Upon approval of your application you will be emailed with a permit number and the cost of the permit.  You can pay for the permit by by visiting: https://bsaonline.com/OnlinePayment/OnlinePaymentSearch?PaymentApplicationType=7&uid=2531
4. Permits can be issued after payment has been made. We accept all major credit cards. There will a 3% processing fee for using a credit card.  Or, you can physically come into the office to pay for your permit by card, check or cash. 
5. Permits must be picked up and signed for at the front counter of the Building Department within three (3) business days. Permits CANNOT be emailed.