Daytona Beach's Permits and Licensing Department handles building permits and contractor records inside city limits. City Hall is at 301 S. Ridgewood Avenue, and Permits and Licensing hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The building permit application lists the Permit and Licensing Division at (386) 671-8140. The city is in Volusia County.
One portal: iMS
The city runs permits and licenses on Intuitive Municipal Services (iMS). Contractors who registered with the city before the switch link their existing contractor registration to an iMS account. The city posts a training video for this. New contractors register in iMS before applying.
Start with zoning
The department's advice: "Always check before building." Start with zoning to confirm the project is feasible and allowed. Bring a current survey (and a copy) to the office. It should show every existing structure.
What a commercial permit needs
The city's 2024 commercial submittal checklist asks for:
| Item | When |
|---|---|
| Online permit application | Always |
| Recorded Notice of Commencement | Always on the checklist |
| Volusia County utility application or septic tank permit | If applicable |
| Disclosure statement | Owner-builder applicants only |
| Tenant affidavit | If applicable |
| Permit authorization of license holder | Not required for online submittals by the contractor |
| Recorded warranty deed | If ownership differs from the Property Appraiser record |
| Signed and sealed Elevation Certificate | If in the 100-year flood zone or non-FIRM area |
| City Technical Review Team (TRT) approval letter | If applicable |
The building permit application names the codes in force (the current Florida Building Code and NEC) and asks for the contractor's license number and a single contact email.
For new structures and additions, the city lists the plan details it expects. These include elevation views from every side, footing or monolithic slab details (size, steel placement, concrete strength), and wall layouts with downrods, openings, lintels, headers and smoke alarms.
Business tax: city only
To do business in Daytona Beach you need a city-issued business tax receipt, even if the business is run from home. Apply online or in person at City Hall, first floor, room 127B (386-671-8280). Regulated businesses attach their state license or registration. The city's start-up checklist says to confirm the location is in city limits through the Volusia County Property Appraiser, and to register with SunBiz and get an EIN.
Volusia County no longer issues a business tax receipt. The county repealed its BTR ordinance effective January 1, 2024. No county receipt is required for businesses located in Volusia County.
FAQ
I registered with the city years ago. Do I register again in iMS? The city gives instructions for linking an existing contractor registration to your iMS account.
Do I need a Volusia County BTR? No. The county repealed it effective January 1, 2024.
Does my qualifier need to sign a permit authorization? Not for online submittals made by the contractor, per the city's commercial checklist.
License first
Contractor registration in iMS requires a state license. See general contractor, roofing and pool. Every CILB construction license requires the Business and Finance exam. Prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- City of Daytona Beach: Permits and Licensing
- City of Daytona Beach: iMS Instructional Videos (linking contractor registration)
- City of Daytona Beach: Building Permit Application
- City of Daytona Beach: Commercial Building Permit Submittal Checklist (06/26/24)
- City of Daytona Beach: Business Licensing
- City of Daytona Beach: Starting a New Business
- Volusia County: Business Tax FAQs (county BTR repealed January 1, 2024)