Contractor Registration and Permits in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale's Building Services division, part of the Development Services Department (DSD), handles permits, inspections and property records inside city limits. Everything runs through one online portal, LauderBuild. That includes contractor registration, which the city says it does not accept by email or mail. For county-wide context, see the Broward County page.

Contractor registration on LauderBuild

Contractors and licensed professionals register, update and verify their license and insurance documents online at LauderBuild. Uploads required with the application:

The city also lets non-licensed contractors register and pull permits for certain project types and minor construction work. This tracks state law. Under F.S. 489.117(4), local governments cannot require a license for job scopes outside the state contractor categories, such as painting, flooring, cabinetry and handyman work.

LauderBuild calls permits, applications, licenses and business tax applications "records." Searches need exact matches, so search broadly (street number and street name only) if a record does not show up.

Permits under the 2026 rule changes

DSD processes permit applications digitally. The city has announced changes to permit processing, payment and fees to comply with Florida House Bill 803, effective July 1, 2026, and keeps a separate HB 803 updates page. Before you price permit fees or timelines into a bid, check that page. DSD customer service is 954-828-6520.

Wind code: HVHZ

Broward and Miami-Dade counties make up the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. On Fort Lauderdale jobs, roofing, windows, doors and shutters need product approvals valid for the HVHZ. Roofing permits use the HVHZ uniform roofing permit application.

Business tax receipts: two receipts and a new zoning step

• City BTR. Required for most businesses operating in Fort Lauderdale and renewed every year.
• Certificate of Use first. Effective October 1, 2026, you need zoning approval through a Certificate of Use (CU) before you apply for a city BTR.
• Broward County receipt. The city says its BTR is separate from the Broward County Local Business Tax Receipt and that most businesses need both. The Broward Tax Collector advises checking with the municipality before applying for the county receipt.

FAQ

Can I email my insurance certificates to update my contractor record? No. The city accepts registrations and updates only through LauderBuild.

Does a Broward County Certificate of Competency work for registration? The city's list accepts a state license or a county Certificate of Competency. Local competency cards are much more limited since the 2021 preemption law, though. New contractors should get a state license.

Does the new CU requirement apply to renewals? The city announced it for applying for a BTR effective October 1, 2026. Ask the Business Tax office how it applies to your account.

Next step

Fort Lauderdale registration starts with a state license, such as general contractor, roofing or HVAC. Each requires the state Business and Finance exam. Prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.