Free tool · Tampa Bay counties

Permit Lookup

Pick your county and project type — we list every agency involved, with links and realistic review timelines. Nothing missed.

Permits you'll need

4 agencies

Typical review window: 6–24 weeks

Hillsborough County Building ServicesTypical review: 4–10 weeks
Hillsborough EPC (Environmental Protection Commission)Typical review: 4–12 weeks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)Typical review: 6–20 weeks
Required for any structure over sovereign submerged lands. Small private single-family docks often qualify for exemptions.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jacksonville District)Typical review: 4–24 weeks
Federal review for structures in navigable waters. Nationwide permits speed things up dramatically vs. Individual permits.

What most people miss

Small private single-family docks often qualify for an FDEP exemption but still need county sign-off.
Docks over 500 sq ft or in seagrass beds trigger longer FDEP + ACOE review.

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Most licensed builders pull all permits as part of their scope. Ask us to match you.

How permits stack

Why Tampa Bay dock permits take so long

Three-layer stack

Every dock touches county (Building + Environmental), state (FDEP), and often federal (Army Corps). Each has its own clock and none can be skipped.

Seagrass and wildlife slow it down

Seagrass beds, manatee zones, and bird nesting areas trigger extra biological review and can add 8–16 weeks before construction can start.

Repair vs. rebuild rules

In-kind repair (same size, same materials) usually only needs a county permit. Add a foot of length and you're back to the full stack.

Get a builder to handle it →

Disclaimer: This lookup is a starting point, not legal advice. Every project is different — confirm with your county building department before you commit to a timeline.