The City of Pensacola's Building Inspections office issues permits only for property inside city limits. The city tells applicants to confirm jurisdiction first on the Escambia County Property Appraiser site. Mail goes to P.O. Box 12910, Pensacola, FL 32521-0053, phone 850-436-5600, email inspections@cityofpensacola.com. For unincorporated areas, see the Escambia County page.
Contractor file submittal
Pensacola registers contractors with a Contractor File Submittal. If you email it, the city says to send the complete packet in one email. Separate emails are deleted.
| Item | State certified | State registered |
|---|---|---|
| Workers' comp and general liability certificates, addressed to The City of Pensacola, P.O. Box 12910, Pensacola, FL 32521-0053 | Yes | Yes |
| State license | Yes | Yes |
| County competency | No | Yes |
| Business Tax Receipt | Only if your office is in city limits | Only if your office is in city limits |
| Letter of Authorization (if used) | $25 fee for new or updated LOAs | $25 fee |
| License holder's driver license or ID | Yes | Yes |
The list has a third column for specialty-licensed contractors too.
MGO for permits and plans
All permit applications with plan review go through My Government Online (MGO Connect). Paper plans have not been accepted since April 1, 2020. Required documents, including Notices of Commencement, are uploaded into the application. The only paper exception is owner-builder forms.
Residential new dwellings, additions, pools and accessory structures need zoning and site approval before the building permit application is submitted. Filing out of order slows the permit.
The 2026 permit exemption
Pensacola's FAQ applies the new state exemption. Effective July 1, 2026, non-structural work on a single-family dwelling valued under $7,500 is exempt from permitting, but you still apply for it. Submit a Building Permit Exemption Application through MGO Connect with the exemption form, a detailed scope of work and the signed contract. A $40 administrative fee is due once the exemption is processed.
Business tax: city and Escambia
The city requires a BTR to engage in or manage any business within city limits. That applies to anyone with a permanent business location or branch office in the city, under Chapter 7 of the city code. The city recommends getting the city BTR first, before the Escambia County BTR, especially for home-based businesses. BTRs are not refundable.
The Escambia County Tax Collector adds a contractor rule: a state-certified contractor with a BTR from its home county in Florida can do business across the state without an Escambia County BTR. The county notes that the City of Pensacola may still require a BTR to obtain permits.
FAQ
I'm certified and based in Mobile, Alabama. Do I need a Pensacola BTR? The city's list asks for a BTR only if your office is in city limits. Florida's contractor BTR exemption assumes you have a Florida home-county receipt, so ask the city about out-of-state offices.
Can I mail paper plans? No. Plans go through MGO Connect.
Does a $5,000 interior remodel need a permit? Since July 1, 2026, non-structural single-family work under $7,500 can be exempt. You still apply for the exemption ($40).
Licensing first
Pensacola registration needs a state license. Each CILB construction license, including roofing, residential and general contractor, requires the Business and Finance exam. Prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- City of Pensacola: Contractor File Submittal List
- City of Pensacola: Contractor File Submittal (earlier version with contact)
- City of Pensacola: Inspections (plan review via MGO)
- City of Pensacola: Permit FAQs
- City of Pensacola: Applications, Documents and Forms
- City of Pensacola: Business Tax Receipts
- City of Pensacola: BTR FAQ
- Escambia County Tax Collector: BTR from another county