Building Permits
Any owner or authorized agent, who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any required impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit.
Should a contractor begin work without the proper permitting, a double permit fee shall apply and a stop work order issued until the permitting has been made current. If you are uncertain whether a permit is required for work, please contact Orchid's Building Department for assistance.
Online Building Permit Processing
The Town of Orchid has partnered with MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) to offer online processing of building permit applications. This is the same company used by Indian River County and City of Sebastian. If you already have a profile with MGO for another jurisdiction, you’ll be able to use it for the Town of Orchid and vice versa.
New permits must be submitted through the MGO portal. Make sure to select Town of Orchid as the jurisdiction. As with any new system, there are bound to be some unexpected issues that will need to be ironed out post-launch. Please contact the Building Department or MGO directly about any part of the system that doesn’t seem to work as it should. We appreciate your patience.
For permits already in progress prior to the transition to digital applications, the Town will continue to process them outside of the system for inspections and revisions.
In the new portal you can submit application documents, process your permit fee, download approved materials and manage your inspections. Select the permit type and the sytem will guide you through the requirements.
Permit Types
The permit application types in the MGO portal are listed in alphabetical order. They are provided here in a different order for an easy overview of the options. Please see the below sections on requirements for more detail.
- New Construction
- Addition
- Renovation/Remodel
- Demolition
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Gas
- Mechanical
- Generator
- Pool (new and existing)
- Impervious Surfaces (including driveways)
- Roof (repair and reroof)
- Window and Door (including garage doors)
- Shutters/Awnings
- Retaining/Site Wall
- Dock/Dune Crossover/Observation Platform/Kayak Launch
- Irrigation (commercial only)
- Construction Trailer
Building Permit Application Requirements
The MGO Portal will provide a step-by-step process for filing the necessary building permit application information and documentation. Applications are reviewed twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays by the contracted Building Official. Please be advised that additional information or clarification may be required depending on the project. For permits pertaining to commercial or multifamily buildings, plans must be approved by Indian River County Fire Safety prior to submittal to Orchid.
General submittals:
- Online application form - simply fill in the fields
- Upload a detailed scope of work including information specific to materials or equipment to be installed
- Upload drawings/plans/schematics depicting location, elevation, size, setbacks, etc.
- If provided by an engineer or architect, these must be digitally signed
- If there are multiple pages in a plan set, please upload these together in a single file (disparate documents may be uploaded as separate files)
- Notarized subcontractor applications, if applicable
- Upload, if applicable, Product Approvals or Notice of Acceptance with relevant expiration dates. If multiple products are listed, please identify with a check mark the product(s) that will be installed. Upload Product Approval Affidavit form - available in MGO portal. For multifamily and commercial buildings this form must be completed and signed by a design professional.
- Permit fee: cash, check, money order at Town Hall or credit card or ACH in MGO portal
A Notice of Commencement is required to be recorded with the Indian River County Clerk of Court prior to the first inspection on projects with a total cost of $2,500 and up. This regards the aggregate on the whole project; not just this permit. For HVAC permits the threshold is $15,000. Please upload a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement to the Orchid Building Department prior to scheduling the first inspection.
Please note that the Town must have your up-to-date license and insurance certificate to issue a building permit. You can upload documentation to your MGO profile. The Town requests that your Certificate of Insurance has the Town of Orchid as certificate holder.
Additional requirements specific to type of work
Please note that some information must be provided at the time the building permit application is submitted, while other items may be required at a different stage of the project. Not all listed items may be necessary on all projects, please contact the Building Department if you have questions specific to your project.
New construction and additions:
- Upload the Planning and Zoning Form - available in the MGO Portal
- Upload engineer's certification regarding wind load
- Upload energy calculations
- Upload Compaction Engineering Report
- Upload density report
- Upload form board survey and termite treatment certificate prior to scheduling footing/foundation/slab inspection
- Upload Elevation Certificate - available from FEMA - for "Building Under Construction"
- Upload insulation certificate
- Upload Blower Door Test Certificate - check whether the Testing Agency has provided the Town with a Blower Door and Duct Leakage Approved Testing Agency Affidavit
- Upload final termite treatment certificate
- Upload final survey
- Upload final Elevation Certificate
Renovation/Remodel and Demolition:
- Upload Asbestos Notification Statement - available in the MGO Portal
Electrical:
- Upload the Electric Service Change Affidavit - available in the MGO Portal - if applicable, prior to scheduling your appointment with Florida Power and Light.
Gas:
- Upload engineering detail for underground tank
- For above ground tanks, submit a photo showing the elevation of the house.
- Upload form for Required Information for Gas Permit Application - available in the MGO Portal and below
- Upload drawing/schematic that depicts site placement of tank and/or lines with defined distances to property lines and home.
Mechanical:
- Provide location information for air handler
- Upload Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (A.H.R.I.) documents
- Upload Affidavit for In-Attic Equipment - available in the MGO Portal - if applicable, prior to scheduling the final inspection
New Pads/Slabs for Exterior Equipment:
- Upload drawing/schematic that depicts site placement of slab/pad with defined distances to property lines and home.
- An elevation certificate may be required to be uploaded prior to scheduling the final inspection.
New pools, spas and hot tubs:
- Upload Pool Notice of Requirements form - available in the MGO Portal
Roof:
- For roof repairs, upload a schematic, drawing or photo showing the area of repair clearly circled and be prepared to fill in information regarding square footage of total roof and area of repair
- Nailing and Sheathing Affidavit and required photographic evidence as described on the affidavit:
- The photos must be submitted prior to the dry-in and flashing inspection. This in-person inspection is a requirement! Do not pass beyond the point of dry-in and flashing without obtaining an approved inspection by the Building Official.
- The completed affidavit must be uploaded prior to scheduling the final inspection.
Windows and Doors:
- For installation of windows and/or doors in an existing building, upload a basic floor plan or window schedule on which every opening is identified by a number which corresponds to the numbers on the photographs that will accompany the Affidavit for Window/Door Bucks for Existing Buildings - available in the MGO portal - which must be uploaded in advance of the Window/Door Buck inspection.
The Building Official may require further documentation depending on your specific project. Feel free to contact the Building Department with any questions.
Notice
In addition to the requirements of a building permit issued by the Town of Orchid, there may be additional restrictions applicable to a project property that may be found in the public records of Indian River County, and there may be additional permits required from other governmental entities such as water management districts, state agencies, or federal agencies. An issued building permit from the Town of Orchid does not absolve the applicant from obtaining any other required permits or approvals.
Construction Debris
In the Town of Orchid, Waste Pro has an exclusive franchise to collect and transport for disposal solid waste and construction and demolition debris subject to the continuing right of the Town to regulate the Town's rights-of-way, easements and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Please contact the company directly to make the necessary arrangements for your project.
Before Digging: Call to Find Out About Any Underground Utilities
It's a legal requirement to check with the free Sunshine 811 service about any underground utilities to avoid safety hazards and prevent damage. Dial 811 or 800-432-4770. You will need to communicate the address, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you're completing and the area of the property where you plan to dig.
Expedited Processing Pursuant to State Law
Pursuant to Section 553.792 Florida Statutes, the Town of Orchid’s Building Department will expedite the processing of building permits, including plan review, of any applications required by law to be expedited. At the time of application, to ensure expedited processing, the applicant must advise the Town’s Building Department that the application regards a type that must be expedited by law. The applicant must cite the statutory reference under which an expedited processing timeline is required.
Such applications shall be marked “EXPEDITED” by the Building Department and be given priority over other building permit applications in regard to plan review, permit issuance and inspection.
If a state of emergency for Indian River County is declared by the Governor of Florida due to a natural disaster, building permit applications submitted to Orchid's Building Department following that natural disaster shall be expedited if such applications regard projects necessitated by impacts of that natural disaster and do not require technical review, including roof repairs, reroofing, electrical repairs, service changes, or the replacement of one window or one door.
