Before demolition starts in Florida, you need a permit, a licensed contractor, utility disconnects, and a hazmat inspection in that order. Skipping or reversing these steps leads to stop-work orders, fines, and costs that far exceed what proper preparation would have required.
Step 1: Define the Scope of Your Demolition Project
Before contacting a contractor or building department, be clear on exactly what is coming down. Full structure demolition, partial interior demo, and selective deconstruction each trigger different permit requirements, different equipment, and different timelines in Florida.
Your scope determines everything that follows. A kitchen gut and a full teardown are both “demolition” but require completely different pre-project checklists. Understanding the difference between interior and exterior demolition helps you accurately define the scope before any contractor visits.
Step 2: Hire a Licensed Demolition Contractor in Florida
In Florida, demolition contractors must hold a valid state license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Verify any contractor’s license at myfloridalicense.com before signing anything.
Beyond the license, confirm the contractor carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage specifically for demolition work. An unlicensed contractor who causes structural damage to a neighboring property leaves you, the property owner, liable. Florida Demolition Experts holds License #86-4496-D-X, verifiable through DBPR.
Step 3: Obtain the Required Permits Before Any Work Begins
Florida Building Code Section 105.1 requires a demolition permit for any structure, regardless of size. In Broward County, permits are issued through the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division. Processing typically takes 5 to 15 business days for standard residential projects.
Your permit application will require a site plan, proof of utility disconnects, and asbestos survey results if the structure was built before 1981.
Work cannot legally begin until the permit is approved and posted on site. For the full breakdown of what Broward County demolition permits require and how C&D debris rules apply, review that before submitting your application.
Step 4: Schedule All Utility Disconnects
Every utility serving the structure must be disconnected and confirmed off before demolition begins: electric, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications. Each utility provider handles its own disconnect and charges separately.
In South Florida, utility disconnect scheduling can take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the provider and time of year. This step needs to be initiated as soon as the permit is approved, not the day before demolition is scheduled.
Your contractor should provide a utility coordination checklist as part of the pre-project process. The full pre-demolition preparation guide for Florida homeowners covers the complete utility disconnect sequence and what to confirm before the crew arrives.
Step 5: Conduct a Hazardous Materials Inspection
For any structure built before 1981, federal NESHAP regulations under 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M require that a licensed asbestos inspector survey it before demolition begins. Asbestos was used in floor tiles, drywall joint compound, pipe insulation, and textured ceilings in Florida homes of that era.
If asbestos is found, licensed abatement must be completed before demolition proceeds, not during it. Lead paint in pre-1978 homes is a separate requirement under the EPA’s RRP Rule. Mold behind walls is common in South Florida’s humid climate and must be remediated under containment before demo disturbs it.
Step 6: Prepare the Site Before the Crew Arrives
Site preparation prevents delays on demo day and protects neighboring properties. Most Broward County permits require temporary fencing along all site boundaries, which must be in place before work begins.
If equipment must access the site from a public street, a temporary lane closure or right-of-way permit from the local municipality or FDOT is required in advance. In HOA-governed communities, written approval from the association must be obtained and on file before any exterior work starts.
Notify adjacent property owners in writing at least five business days before demolition begins. Most Broward County municipalities expect this even when it is not explicitly required.
Step 7: Execute Demolition Safely and in the Right Sequence
Demolition sequencing matters: interior demolition before exterior demolition, upper floors before lower floors, non-load-bearing elements before structural elements. The order prevents accidental destabilization of the structure during the process.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart T requires a pre-demolition engineering survey by a competent person before work begins on any structure.
On tight South Florida lots with shared CBS block walls or post-tension slabs near the property boundary, that survey identifies shoring requirements and equipment constraints before the crew is ever on site.
The full set of dust control methods required on Florida demolition sites covers what licensed contractors must do to stay in compliance.
Step 8: Manage Debris Removal and Recycling
All construction and demolition debris in Florida must be disposed of at a licensed C&D facility under Florida Administrative Code 62-701. It cannot go in a residential dumpster or standard waste stream. Broward County’s C&D landfill is located at 7101 SW 205th Avenue in Pembroke Pines.
Before disposal, materials should be separated. Concrete, clean wood, and metal can be diverted to recycling facilities, reducing disposal costs.
Salvageable fixtures, doors, and windows can be donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and the donation may qualify for a tax deduction.
Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead, and mold-contaminated debris, must be manifested and disposed of separately in accordance with licensed abatement protocols.
Step 9: Complete the Final Inspection and Site Clearance
The demolition permit in Florida requires a final inspection sign-off before it can be closed. The inspector confirms that the structure has been fully removed or selectively demolished per the permit scope, that the site is cleared of debris, and that no open excavations or hazards remain.
After the final inspection, the site must be graded to direct stormwater away from neighboring properties in accordance with local drainage codes.
In FEMA flood zones, post-demolition fill and grading must comply with local floodplain management ordinances before a new building permit can be issued.
In areas where tree removal is required, Broward County Tree Ordinance 27-404 may require a separate tree removal permit sign-off as part of the final site clearance.
For a full overview of everything you need to know before and after a demolition project in Florida, see that guide, which covers the complete pre- and post-demo process.
FAQ’s
Do I need a permit for demolition in Florida as a homeowner?
Yes. Florida Building Code Section 105.1 requires a demolition permit for any structure. In Broward County, the permit is issued through the county Permitting Division and takes 5 to 15 business days to process. Work cannot begin until the permit is posted on site.
What is the first thing to do before demolition starts?
Define the exact scope of work, then hire a licensed contractor and apply for the permit. Utility disconnects, and the hazmat inspection follows permit approval. Starting in the wrong order, especially beginning work before permits are issued, results in stop-work orders and fines.
Is asbestos testing required before demolition in Florida?
Yes, for any structure built before 1981. Federal NESHAP regulations require a licensed inspector to survey before any demolition begins. If asbestos is confirmed, licensed abatement must be completed before the crew starts demo.
How long does the full demolition process take in Florida?
From permit application to final inspection, a standard residential demolition in Broward County takes 3 to 6 weeks total. Permit processing takes 5 to 15 business days, utility disconnects take 1 to 3 weeks, and physical demolition takes 2 to 5 days, depending on the structure’s size and materials.
Who is responsible for debris disposal after demolition in Florida?
The property owner or licensed contractor is responsible. All C&D debris must go to a licensed facility under FAC 62-701. Confirm debris disposal is included in your contractor’s quote before signing some contractors quote disposal separately or not at all.
Choose Florida Demolition Experts With Confidence
If you are planning a demolition project, do not leave it to chance. Florida Demolition Experts provide licensed, insured, and fully compliant demolition services tailored to homeowners across the state. From permits and inspections to safe demolition and complete site cleanup, their team handles every step with professionalism and care.
Contact Florida Demolition Experts today to schedule a consultation and get a clear, stress-free plan for your demolition project. Your property deserves expert hands from start to finish.
