Home renovation & remodeling in Manatee County

Remodeling in Manatee County

Install & Design helps Manatee County homeowners update kitchens and bathrooms, replace roofs and windows, and build outdoor living spaces. We work in Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish. Get an instant planning estimate online, then book a free on-site visit.

Permits in Manatee County

Inside Bradenton city limits? The city handles your permit: If your home is inside Bradenton city limits, your permit goes through the City of Bradenton Building and Permitting Division, not Manatee County. When you apply, the city checks that your contractors are properly licensed. When the work is done, a city building inspector checks that it meets code. Not sure if your address is in the city or the county? Check with the building department before you start. Roof replacements need a permit in Manatee County: Manatee County says roofing and re-roofing need a building permit before work starts. Small repairs of up to 100 square feet in total do not need one. This comes from a county permit guide written after recent hurricanes, so check with the building department for the rules that apply to your project. Roof jobs in Manatee County have required inspections, including the roof deck: Manatee County requires several inspections on residential roof replacements. They include a roof sheathing (re-nailing) inspection, a dry-in and flashing inspection, and a final inspection. If a re-roof never got its sheathing inspection, it can fail the final inspection. In that case the county may make you remove the roof covering so inspectors can check the underlayment and nailing. The Notice of Commencement also has to be uploaded to the county portal and posted at the job site. Window and door work needs a permit in Manatee County: A Manatee County guide called "What Does and Doesn't Require a Permit" lists windows and doors as work that needs a building permit. That includes cutting new openings and closing up existing ones. Check with the building department for your exact project. Bradenton offers faster over-the-counter permits for common home projects: In the City of Bradenton, some residential permits can go through as over-the-counter permits. These include roof, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits, plus window and door permits. You apply online through the city's goPost system. Kitchen or bath work that changes plumbing or wiring may need these trade permits, so ask the city which ones your project needs. In Bradenton, wait for the permit before work starts, and finish with a final inspection: In the City of Bradenton, work usually cannot start just because an application is in. The permit has to be posted at the job site before work begins.

The city may make an exception in an emergency, like replacing an AC or water heater, if the Building Official approves. A certified copy of the Notice of Commencement has to reach the Building Department before the first inspection. Every permit needs a final inspection to close it out.

Good to know in Manatee County

Roof permits need Florida Product Approval: In unincorporated Manatee County, a standard roof permit always needs Florida Product Approval or NOA documents for the roofing products. These show the products are approved for use under the Florida Building Code. Other paperwork, like building plans, may be needed depending on the job. Check with the building department for your project. The 50% rule for homes in flood zones: If your home is in a flood zone, Manatee County adds up the cost of all repairs, remodeling and additions. If that total equals or exceeds 50% of the building's market value before the work starts, the whole home must meet current flood rules for new buildings. This can mean elevating the home, flood vents or flood-resistant materials. It is smart to know your home's value before planning a big remodel. You can challenge the county's market value with an appraisal: If you disagree with the county's estimate of your home's market value for the 50% rule, you can hire a state licensed appraiser. The appraisal must be certified within 12 months of your application. It can only cover the building itself, not docks or other accessory structures. Look up your flood zone before you plan: Manatee County has a free online tool where you search by address or parcel ID. It shows if the property is in a flood zone, the base flood elevation, and flood compliance warnings. A recent property survey may also list your flood zone. Bradenton has its own building department: If your home is inside Bradenton city limits, permits go through the City of Bradenton Building Division, not the county. The city lists residential roof, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, plus window/door and siding, as permits that can be handled over the counter. Homes in unincorporated areas go through Manatee County. Palmetto also runs its own city flood program. If you are not sure which applies to your address, check with the building department.