Inside Orlando city limits, permits and business taxes both run through the city's Permitting Services Division at City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue (407.246.2121, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Addresses outside city limits are permitted by Orange County instead. See the Orange County page for those.
Registering as a contractor
The city says contractors who get permits in Orlando must be registered with Permitting Services. What you file depends on your license type:
| Item | State-certified | State-registered | Limited specialty (not state regulated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business tax receipt from the Florida city or county where the business is located | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DBPR state certification | Yes | State registration | Not applicable |
| Workers' comp proof or exemption, addressed to City of Orlando, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando FL 32801 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Surety bond | No | At least $5,000 | At least $1,000 |
The residential permitting checklist lists the same items and adds a competency card where applicable. The registration form is on the city's General Permitting Forms page, next to the Change a Contractor form.
Filing a permit
The city's 2026 building permit application goes to digitalpermits@orlando.gov, with "New Permit" in the subject line. Have these ready before you start:
- Job site address or parcel ID, and a digital applicant / primary contact with email
- Property owner and contractor company details
- Architect or engineer, bonding company, fee simple titleholder, and mortgage lender, where they apply
- A description of the work, including detached structures
- An authorization letter
Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, gas and others) are separate from the building permit. The owner-builder declaration has to be filled out in person at City Hall, and the city publishes forms for private providers and Notices of Commencement.
Business tax: city, then county
You must pay a tax to run any business within Orlando city limits. All businesses also need a Certificate of Use along with the BTR. The exceptions include individual state-regulated professionals inside a professional office, and mobile businesses. Fees depend on factors such as square footage and number of workers. Every year, businesses must confirm or update their business tax declaration with the city.
Orange County's Tax Collector lists Orlando among the cities that require a municipal BTR, and says the municipal BTR must be obtained before applying for the Orange County BTR.
FAQ
I'm state-certified. Do I need a bond to register? Orlando's bond requirement applies to state-registered contractors ($5,000 minimum) and limited specialty contractors ($1,000 minimum), not to state-certified contractors.
My business is in Kissimmee. Whose BTR do I show? The BTR from the Florida city or county where your business is located.
Can I sign the owner-builder form online? No. The city requires it to be completed in person at City Hall.
License first
Orlando registration starts with a state license, for example general contractor, residential or HVAC. Each requires the state Business and Finance exam. Our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep covers it from start to finish.
Sources
- City of Orlando: Register a Contractor
- City of Orlando: Residential Permitting Requirements
- City of Orlando: Permitting Services Division
- City of Orlando: General Permitting Forms
- City of Orlando: Building Permit Application 2026
- City of Orlando: Get a Business Tax Receipt
- Orange County Tax Collector: Obtain a New Business Tax Receipt