Screening in a porch in Florida often requires obtaining a building permit from your local county or city building department. However, there are some exceptions that may allow you to enclose your porch without a permit. Here is what you need to know about Florida porch screening permits.
When a Permit is Required
In general, you will need a permit in Florida if:
- You are fully enclosing the porch by installing screened walls on all sides
- You are installing a roof or covering over an existing open porch
- The porch screening project expands the footprint or foundation of the existing porch
- You are converting the porch into another room or living space, like a sunroom or bedroom
Screening in an existing open porch is considered an structural alteration, which requires a permit under the Florida Building Code. Fully enclosing a porch affects the livable square footage, structural loads, emergency egress, and other important factors that building officials review through the permit process.
When a Permit is Not Required
Installing porch screening in Florida does not always require a permit. Common examples where you may be exempt from needing a permit include:
- Installing removable “sun screen” mesh curtains on an existing porch
- Adding screen panels to the upper half of existing porch railings
- Screening in one or two sides of a porch, while leaving the rest of the porch open
These types of partial porch screens are usually considered minor projects that do not need structural review or a permit. But check with your local building department first before assuming you can enclose a porch without a permit.
Permit Costs
If you do need a Florida porch screening permit, the cost typically ranges from $50 to $500 depending on the details of your specific project. Some factors that affect permit fees include:
- Size of the porch enclosure
- Valuation cost of the screening materials and labor
- Whether electrical or plumbing work is involved
- Extra fees for plan review, inspections, or other services
Many Florida counties and cities charge a base permit fee plus an additional amount per square foot for larger porch screening projects. Expect to pay around $100-200 for a basic screened porch permit.
Permit Application Requirements
To apply for a porch screening permit in Florida, you will typically need to submit:
- Completed permit application form
- Construction plans showing porch layout, framing, screening materials, etc.
- Site plan showing the home and porch location
- Contractor information (if using a licensed contractor)
- Property owner approval
The building department will review your plans to make sure the project complies with zoning rules and the Florida Building Code requirements for structure, egress, electricity, and other safety factors. Structural engineering may be required for larger screened porch designs.
Inspections
If issued a porch screening permit, your project will need to pass inspections at different stages of construction. Common inspections may include:
- Footing inspection -Before concrete slab or foundation is poured
- Framing inspection – After structural framework is complete
- Final inspection – Once porch screen installation is finished
The inspector will check that your porch screening complies with the approved plans, meets code requirements, and is structurally sound. Make sure to call for inspections at the right times during the project.
Consider Hiring a Contractor
Unless you are very handy, porch screening projects often require hiring a building contractor, especially if structural changes are involved. Florida law requires state licensing for contractors who work on major structural projects costing $1,000 or more in labor and materials. Benefits of hiring a licensed Florida screened porch contractor include:
- Knowledge of Florida building codes and permit requirements
- Experience with structural calculations and porch framing
- Qualified to pull necessary permits
- Access to licensed subcontractors for electrical, plumbing, etc.
Be sure to verify your porch screening contractor’s license and check reviews before hiring. Get at least 3 written estimates to compare costs.
DIY Porch Screening
For simpler porch screening projects, a motivated DIY homeowner can potentially do the work themselves without hiring a contractor. However, you must still pull any required building permits and pass inspections. Tips for DIY porch screening include:
- Check building codes – Know the requirements before starting
- Use quality framing – Meet structural needs and anchoring requirements
- Mind window and door placement – For safety and emergency egress
- Watch for electrical and plumbing – Beware of hidden wires or pipes
- Hire help if needed – Some aspects may require professional skills
With proper planning, permits, and skills, screening in your porch as a DIY project can help save on contractor costs. Just be realistic about your abilities.
Conclusion
Protecting your Florida porch from bugs and weather while expanding your home’s livable space can be a great project. But most permanent porch screening enclosures require a building permit, unless you are just adding partial or removable screens. Be sure to check with your local building department about permit requirements and plan properly for your porch screening project.