Direct answer
It depends on what you are building. In the departments covered here, a roofed patio cover and a new screen enclosure each need a building permit with wind-load documentation, such as a product approval or engineered drawings. Enclosing a porch with walls or windows to make a Florida room is treated as an addition or alteration in Palm Beach County’s permit system, and it can bring energy code and other reviews if the room is air-conditioned. “Florida room” is not a defined code term, so describe the work exactly when you ask the building department.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about permitting and code-enforcement processes. It is not legal advice, not a substitute for advice from a Florida-licensed attorney, and not a guarantee of any result, timeline, or fee. Permit Busters, LLC is not a law firm and does not appear as your legal representative. Building and code rules vary by county and municipality and can change. Confirm current requirements, forms, and fees with the building or code office that has jurisdiction over the property, and consult a Florida attorney and, where construction work is required, a Florida-licensed contractor.
Este artículo es información general sobre procesos de permisos y cumplimiento del código. No es asesoramiento legal, no sustituye el consejo de un abogado con licencia en Florida y no garantiza un resultado, un plazo ni un costo. Permit Busters, LLC no es un bufete de abogados y no comparece como su representante legal. Las normas de construcción y de código varían según el condado y el municipio y pueden cambiar. Confirme los requisitos, formularios y tarifas vigentes con la oficina de construcción o de código que tenga jurisdicción sobre la propiedad, y consulte a un abogado de Florida y, cuando se requiera obra, a un contratista con licencia en Florida.
Three projects that sound alike
- Patio cover or terrace: a roofed shade structure attached to the house. Miami-Dade describes an aluminum terrace or patio cover as a backyard shade structure attached to the home, typically supported by posts or columns, with a solid aluminum or metal roof.
- Screen enclosure or screen room: an aluminum frame with screen walls, often around a patio or pool.
- Florida room or sunroom: a porch or patio closed in with walls, windows, or glass, sometimes air-conditioned and used as living space.
What the codes say about “Florida room”
The Building Officials Association of Florida, in a 2016 informal interpretation, said “Florida Room” is not a defined term and could mean different things. It pointed to the sunroom design section of the Florida Building Code, Residential, and said screen enclosures and Category I, II, and III sunrooms are not considered habitable spaces because they are not conditioned. It said sunrooms rise to Category IV and V when conditioning is added, and that converting non-conditioned space to conditioned space brings in the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation. BOAF says its interpretations are informal, non-binding, and subject to acceptance and approval by the local building official. This one was written under the 2014 edition of the Florida Building Code; the current edition is the 8th Edition (2023), so ask your building official how the current code applies to your project.
Miami-Dade (unincorporated)
Miami-Dade says a building permit is required to install aluminum terraces and patio covers. It asks for a building permit application with the square footage, the current Notice of Acceptance for the material (Florida Building Commission product approvals are acceptable), detail drawings signed and sealed by an architect or engineer, and a survey or site plan showing the terrace on the current layout of the property. The County’s home renovation brochure lists screen enclosures among the additions that need permits.
The County’s exemption list for single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and condo units does include “enclosure of existing covered patios/balconies/porches with screening,” but that list has a limit: the County says the total cost of all listed exempt work in any 12-month period cannot exceed $5,000. Ask the County before relying on it.
Palm Beach County (unincorporated)
Palm Beach County PZB’s permit-type list, dated April 27, 2011, and still posted by PZB, places a screen structure and a porch among its Type 2(A) residential permits, and places “Enclosing Carport, Garage, or Porch (Infill Walls)” under Type 3(A), additions and alterations to an existing residence. Its Type 2(A) application sufficiency checklist, an older form dated 2005, asks for wind design information, engineered construction drawings, and complete floor plans for a screen enclosure, with bedrooms that have emergency egress requirements identified. On that checklist, the applicant also acknowledges that permits involving habitable areas, meaning enclosed living space and including window wall systems, may be subject to an increased assessment of County impact fees. Ask PZB for its current requirements and whether County impact fees apply to your project.
Broward cities
Broward cities use their own checklists. Pembroke Pines’ screen and balcony enclosure checklist asks for the Broward County Uniform Building Permit Application, a windows and doors package, an HOA Affidavit of Awareness, a condo approval letter if applicable, a signed and sealed survey, signed and sealed drawings or product approvals, and a floor plan. It lists building, zoning, and engineering review, plus electrical, mechanical, and plumbing review if applicable. Parkland’s screen enclosure checklist asks for signed and sealed plans and shop drawings approved by the designer of record. Margate lists porch enclosures, patios, and screen enclosures among the work that requires permits.
If signed and sealed plans are required, they must be prepared by a Florida-licensed engineer or architect. Permit Busters, LLC can help coordinate that step.
Questions to settle before you apply
- Will the space have a solid roof, screen walls, or glass and walls?
- Will it be air-conditioned or used as living space?
- Does the work cover a bedroom window or door that serves as an emergency exit?
- Is the property in a condo or HOA that must approve the work first? That approval is the owner’s responsibility.
If an old porch was already enclosed without a permit, see How to Legalize Unpermitted Work in South Florida.
Get help with a patio or Florida room permit
Permit Busters, LLC can help you describe the scope correctly, coordinate the drawings and product approvals, and track the permit through review. See residential permits. Approval always rests with the city or county. Call (954) 616-5823, email info@permitbusters.com, or book an appointment. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Permit Busters, LLC is based in Lauderhill, FL 33351.
FAQ
Do I need a permit for an aluminum patio cover in Miami-Dade?
Yes. Miami-Dade County says a building permit is required to install aluminum terraces and patio covers. It asks for the product’s Notice of Acceptance or a Florida product approval, signed and sealed drawings, and a current survey or site plan.
Is a Florida room the same as a screen enclosure?
Not necessarily. A 2016 informal interpretation from the Building Officials Association of Florida says “Florida Room” is not a defined term. It says screen enclosures and unconditioned sunrooms are not habitable space, while conditioned sunrooms fall into higher categories. Ask your building department how it classifies your project.
Does enclosing a porch count as an addition?
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, PZB’s permit-type list places enclosing a carport, garage, or porch with infill walls under Type 3(A), additions and alterations to an existing residence. Other departments may classify it differently, so describe the work exactly when you apply.
Do I need a permit to screen in an existing covered patio?
It depends on the department. Miami-Dade’s exemption list includes enclosing existing covered patios, balconies, or porches with screening, but only while the total cost of all listed exempt work stays at or under $5,000 in 12 months. Other departments may require a permit.
Does air-conditioning a Florida room change the permit?
It can. A 2016 BOAF informal interpretation says converting non-conditioned space to conditioned space brings in the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation. Adding air-conditioning is mechanical work, which usually needs its own permit; Miami-Dade’s home renovation brochure, for example, lists new mechanical air conditioning work among the work that needs a permit. Ask your building department what it requires.