In Broward County, you need a demolition permit before tearing down any structure, including sheds, under Florida Building Code – Existing Building, Section 105.1. The process also involves utility disconnect approvals, a licensed contractor, possible tree removal, erosion control permits, and proper disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) debris at approved facilities. Pre-1980 structures also require an asbestos inspection before work can begin.
Do You Need a Permit To Demolish a Building in Broward County?
Yes. Florida Building Code – Existing Building, Section 105.1 requires a permit before any structure is constructed, altered, removed, or demolished, and Broward County enforces this through its Building Division. This applies to homes, commercial buildings, and accessory structures alike.
If you demolish without a permit, the property owner can be fined and may be required to pay for an engineer’s review of the work after the fact, or pay to have it redone under permit.
Do You Need a Permit To Demolish a Shed in Broward County?
Yes. The permit requirement under Section 105.1 covers sheds and other accessory structures, not just primary buildings. Many homeowners assume small structures are exempt, but in Broward County, demolishing a shed still requires a permit before work begins.
Contact your city’s building department (each municipality within Broward County handles its own permit intake) to confirm the specific application requirements for demolishing an accessory structure.
Who Can Perform Demolition Work in Broward County?
Demolition work must be performed by a state- or county-licensed contractor with active insurance. Before hiring anyone, verify their license number through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or Broward County’s contractor licensing records.
A licensed contractor will also pull the demolition permit and coordinate the inspections required throughout the process.
What Hazardous Material Inspections Are Required Before Demolition?
Structures built before 1980 require an asbestos inspection before demolition can begin, in line with EPA NESHAP (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) requirements.
If asbestos-containing materials are found, they must be removed by licensed abatement professionals before general demolition starts.
Lead-based paint and other hazardous materials encountered during demolition must also be handled and disposed of in accordance with EPA and Florida Department of Environmental Protection guidelines, and not placed in regular debris loads.
Do Utilities Need To Be Disconnected Before Demolition?
Yes. Before demolition begins, all utilities, including natural gas, propane, electric, phone, and cable, must be disconnected, and disconnect letters or permits from each utility company must be submitted with the permit package.
Water and sewer disconnection requires a standalone permit from a licensed plumbing contractor, and the work must pass final inspection before the main demolition permit can be approved.
What Site Safety Requirements Apply To Demolition Sites?
Broward County demolition sites must maintain perimeter fencing, control debris so it doesn’t spread to neighboring properties, and manage dust in line with Florida Administrative Code 62-296.320(4)(c), which requires reasonable precautions like water application to prevent unconfined particulate emissions.
For a full breakdown of dust-control methods and requirements, see our guide to dust-control techniques for demolition.
What Environmental Protections Apply During Demolition?
Two environmental approvals commonly come up during demolition. First, a Tree Removal Permit is required under Broward County Code of Ordinances Section 27-404 before removing, relocating, or damaging any protected tree, generally defined as one with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or more measured at 4.5 feet above ground.
Second, an Erosion and Sedimentation Control agreement is required for the property, with additional requirements for a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and a notice to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for properties over 1 acre.
How Is Construction And Demolition Debris Disposed Of In Broward County?
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris, including concrete, bricks, lumber, and roofing materials, must go to approved disposal or recycling facilities rather than being collected with regular trash.
Broward County operates a landfill at 7101 SW 205th Avenue that accepts C&D debris for a fee, and lumber and woody material can be dropped off separately on Saturdays at the West Park facility on Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Broward County also runs recycling and waste-reduction programs that encourage recovering reusable material, such as crushed concrete for road base, before disposal.
Hazardous materials like asbestos, lead-based paint, and chemical solvents cannot go into regular C&D loads and must follow separate EPA and FDEP disposal rules.
What Happens During The Final Inspection After Demolition?
Once demolition is complete, a building inspector verifies that the site has been cleared, utilities have been properly disconnected and capped, and any required environmental conditions, such as ground cover on undisturbed soil, have been met.
The demolition permit isn’t closed out until this final inspection passes, so any outstanding utility or erosion control items need to be resolved beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a permit for demolition in Florida?
Yes. Florida Building Code – Existing Building, Section 105.1, requires a permit before demolishing any structure anywhere in the state, and Broward County enforces this requirement at the county and municipal levels.
What happens if you demolish without a permit in Florida?
If work is done without a permit, the property owner may be fined and required to pay for a professional engineer’s review of the completed work, or to have the work dismantled, redone, or brought into compliance under a proper permit.
When is a demolition permit required?
A demolition permit is required before any demolition work begins whenever a structure, including a home, commercial building, or accessory structure like a shed, is to be removed or torn down.
Do I need a permit to demolish a shed in Broward County?
Yes. Accessory structures, such as sheds, are subject to the same Section 105.1 permit requirements as larger buildings. Check with your city’s building department within Broward County for the specific shed demolition application process.
What are the rules for demolishing a house in Broward County?
Demolishing a house in Broward County requires a permit pulled by a licensed contractor, utility disconnect approvals (including a separate water/sewer disconnect permit), an asbestos inspection if the home was built before 1980, applicable tree removal and erosion control permits, proper disposal of debris at approved C&D facilities, and a final building inspection before the permit closes out.
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