Palm Bay's Building Department is at 110 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907 (321-953-8924, permitinfo@palmbayfl.gov). It has permitting jurisdiction only for property in the City of Palm Bay. The city notes that if you also pull permits in another Brevard County municipality, you contact that city for its own requirements. Registration doesn't carry over.
Registering in iMS
State-licensed contractors who plan to pull permits in Palm Bay register online in the city's iMS portal. Click Register in the Contractors tile. The city's instructions list the supporting documents to attach, starting with:
- A copy of your Florida contractor license or county competency card
- A copy of your certificate of general liability insurance
The sheet lists further documents after these two. Download the current version from the city before you start so your first upload is complete.
The Building Department also publishes forms for changes during a job: a Contractor Change Form, a Subcontractor Change for Existing Building Permits, and a Subcontractor Permit Authorization.
Permit checklists
Palm Bay posts a checklist for each permit type. Two examples:
| Permit | Selected required items |
|---|---|
| Demolition | Plot plan, proof of Palm Bay and FPL service termination, disconnect affidavit or letter from a certified electrician, notarized owner authorization, proof of ownership, recorded Notice of Commencement if over $5,000 |
| Accessory dwelling unit | Digitally signed and sealed foundation plan, truss layout and truss package, full plan set, plumbing riser and electrical riser diagrams, panel schedule and load summary, glazing U-factor and SHGC |
Everything is submitted electronically. Land Development and Utilities have their own requirements, and the checklists list their phone numbers.
Permit penalties
The FAQ cites the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023): a permit is required before construction, alterations, repairs and relocations. Starting work without a permit can bring a penalty of up to four times the total permit fees, as determined by the Building Official.
Business tax
The city's BTR runs through the same iMS portal (City Hall Annex, 2nd floor, 120 Malabar Road; 321-952-3419). The city's start-a-business page says businesses must license with the state and with local government at both the municipal and county levels. The Brevard County Tax Collector issues the county receipt.
FAQ
Does my Palm Bay registration let me pull permits in Melbourne? No. Each Brevard municipality has its own requirements.
What happens if I start before the permit is issued? The Building Official can assess a penalty of up to four times the permit fees.
Is a Notice of Commencement needed for a demolition? Yes, a recorded NOC if the value is over $5,000, per the city checklist.
About the state exam
The state Business and Finance exam is a 120-question, open-book test. You need 70% to pass. Pearson VUE's exam performance reports show 11,266 graded attempts statewide in 2025 and a 56% pass rate for first-time takers.
License first
iMS registration starts with a state license (or a county card). Every CILB construction license requires the Business and Finance exam. See residential and general contractor, and prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- City of Palm Bay: Florida Contractor License Registration instructions
- City of Palm Bay: Building Permits FAQs
- City of Palm Bay: Demolition Permit Submittal
- City of Palm Bay: Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit
- City of Palm Bay: Contractor and Sub-contractor Forms
- City of Palm Bay: Business Tax Receipts
- City of Palm Bay: Start a Business
- Brevard County Tax Collector: Business Tax Receipt information
- DBPR Candidate Information Booklet, Construction (July 2024)
- DBPR Examinations at a Glance (June 2024)