Tallahassee's Building Inspection Division (Growth Management) issues permits inside city limits through the city's Customer Permit Portal. Phone 850-891-7001 (option 2, then option 1 for permit-type questions). The city and Leon County share a permit information portal with a contractor licensing matrix, because the requirements depend on which jurisdiction the job is in.
Filing your license with the city
The city's "Contractor License Registration and Requirements for filing" form asks for:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Firm name as licensed, qualifier name, address, email | On the form |
| State of Florida contractor's license | Copy |
| Insurance | Certificate of general liability insurance, workers' comp insurance, or a workers' comp certificate of exemption |
| Certificate holder | City of Tallahassee, Building Inspection, 300 South Adams Street, Box B-28, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 |
| Out-of-state workers' comp | Certificate must list Florida as a covered state |
| Employee leasing or third-party coverage | Roster of covered employees, including the license qualifier |
Designated agents. The qualifier can authorize an agent to obtain issued permits. The city needs an original notarized Contractor Authorization form, delivered by mail or by hand, or emailed to permits@talgov.com directly from the license holder's email.
The city's registration page also has forms for private providers and journeyman applicants, an appliance sticker program application, and a natural gas installer business qualification.
When a permit is required
The city's FAQ sets these thresholds:
- Building: new construction, additions, alterations or repairs with labor and materials over $7,500, or any structural work (installing, removing or repairing walls or partitions). Replacing windows or doors counts as structural.
- Roofing: any repair or installation over 100 square feet.
- Electrical: new circuits added or extended, or a service change.
- Plumbing: new piping, re-piping or fixtures, including backflow devices.
- Mechanical: heating or A/C equipment extended, relocated or changed out, including ductwork. Window A/C units don't need a permit.
Business tax and local competency
Tallahassee issues city business tax certificates. Under Land Development Code Section 3-214, applicants in certain trade categories must show a certificate of competency at a set level. Plumbing requires master plumber, electrical requires master electrician, and alarm and specialty electrical categories are covered as well. If you hold a state license in one of those trades, bring it when you apply. Leon County's own business tax rules were not checked for this page. Confirm them with the county before you open an office outside city limits.
FAQ
Can my office manager email the authorization form? Only if it comes directly from the license holder's email. The original notarized form can also be mailed or hand-delivered.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Tallahassee? Yes. The city treats window and door replacement as structural.
Who is the certificate holder on my insurance? City of Tallahassee, Building Inspection, 300 South Adams Street, Box B-28, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Get licensed
Filing with the city requires a state license, and every CILB construction license requires the Business and Finance exam. See residential, roofing and plumbing, and prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- City of Tallahassee: Contractor License Registration and Requirements for filing
- City of Tallahassee: Registration and Information
- Tallahassee-Leon County permit portal: Contractor Licensing matrix
- City of Tallahassee: Building Inspection
- City of Tallahassee: When do I need a permit? (FAQ)
- Tallahassee Land Development Code Sec. 3-214, business tax certificates