Building Services

Important Notice

Effective May 1, 2023

  • All Building Permit Applications and Planning Applications must be submitted electronically through the CityView Portal using an active registered portal account
  • Applications submitted in paper format prior to May 1st will be allowed to continue in paper format

  • Revisions to permits issued in the paper (hard-copy format) will be required to be submitted electronically

  • All document submittals for issued permits must be uploaded electronically to the permit record

  • Engineered drawings must contain a digital seal, through a third-party vendor, that can be validated upon submittal

  • The Contractor/Owner-Builder will be responsible to print out permit cards and approved plans and have available at the job site

  • We are currently accepting electronic permits through CityView Portal

  • To request training, please contact Evelyn Fraley.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW


Building Department offices are located on the second floor of the Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida, 33036. The Building Department's duties are to enforce the local and state codes regarding the construction and maintenance of the buildings and structures in an impartial manner in order to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Islamorada, Village of Islands. Building Department services include:

  • Intake of Building Permits,
  • Building and Trade Plan Review, 
  • Issuance of Building Permits,
  • Maintain Permit Records as required by State law,
  • Inspections during Construction,
  • Permit Extensions,
  • Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy,
  • Contractor Registrations,
  • Floodplain Management, and providing Flood Protection Resources
  • FEMA Inspections,

The Building Department strives to communicate and educate contractors, developers, citizens, and design professionals on Florida Building Code related issues and procedures in place to preserve the quality of life for our community.

WHEN A PERMIT IS REQUIRED


A Building Permit is required for most types of construction work within the Village. Determine which types of projects do not require a Building Permit by viewing our Permit Requirements (PDF). If your project is not listed, a Building Permit is required.

Effective July 1, 2023 - pursuant to the Live Local Act (SB 102): If an applicant believes it is entitled to expedited processing of an application for a building permit or development order, the applicant shall advise the Village upon submission of the application of the statutory basis entitling it to expedited processing.  The Village shall give applications for building permits or development orders that are entitled to expedited processing first priority and applicants may expect that such applications will be reviewed and processed quicker than other applications.

HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION


Construction hours are between 7:30 a.m. and sundown every day of the week.

INSPECTIONS


All inspections must be requested through the CityView Portal. The following information is provided to assist customers new to the CityView Portal.

Schedule an inspection through our CityView Portal.

Initial Registration is required. Once registered and your account is Activated, simply Sign-In to Portal to request your inspection type(s) and date. Instructions for how to register for the portal, request inspections, and more can be found on our FAQ page.

NOTE:  In accordance with Chapter 713, Florida State Statutes, for improvements in the amount of $2,500 & over, (except only for repair or replacement of an existing heating or air conditioning system in the amount of $15,000 & over), a Notice of Commencement (NOC) shall be recorded at the County Clerk’s office. Please ensure a copy of filed Notice of Commencement has been provided to the Building Services Department prior to requesting the first inspection. NOCs that have been recorded can be uploaded to the permit record through CityView Portal to the permit record after the permit has been issued.  Please allow staff at least 1-2 business days to process the receipt of the recorded NOC. Failure to provide a Notice of Commencement will result in cancellation of requested inspection.

Inspections submitted after 7:00 a.m. will be performed for the next business day. If an inspection is submitted prior to 7:00 a.m. it will be performed on the same business day. If an inspection cannot be scheduled as requested, an email will be sent to the primary contractor of record or owner-builder on the permit.

CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION


State-certified and registered contractors with valid Monroe County Certificate of Competency that wish to conduct work in Islamorada, Village of Islands, must register with the Village by submitting all applicable documentation listed on the Contractor Registration Checklist. Contractors must first create a CityView Portal Account for the Business. Go to CityView Portal and use the "Portal Help" link to follow the instruction sheet "Contractor License Registration (Required to work in the Village)". REMEMBER: Use a BUSINESS Email address, not a personal Email address. This will be the email address the Village will use for all correspondence with you. Once you create your contractor registration account, you will need to set up and activate the Business Portal User Account. It is the responsibility of the contractor to upload renewed registration items and pay annual fees to maintain the contractor registration in an active status at all times.

When contracting for home repairs or improvements it's important to proceed with caution.  Hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in other consequences including additional damage to your property.  A licensed contractor has the necessary education, skills, and expertise to perform the work, and has also acquired the insurance protections his license requires. 

To verify a contractor’s State license or file a complaint against a State licensed contractor, call 1-850-487-1395 or visit the DBPR website. You may contact the Monroe County Licensing Coordinator at 305-289-2583 to inquire if a contractor is properly licensed with the County or if you want to obtain a Certificate of Competency with Monroe County.

FORMS OF PAYMENT


Payments are accepted by the Finance Department.

  • By Mail. Checks and money orders made payable to “Islamorada, Village of Islands” can be mailed to: Finance Department at 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. Please note the building permit number on the memo line of the check.
  • In-person. In-person payments by check, money order, cash, debit card, and credit card are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on the third floor of the Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters.
  • Online. Online payments by check ("ACH"), debit card, or credit card may be made through the CityView portal.