Taylor County is on Florida's Big Bend coast; Perry is the incorporated city the county's pages refer to. Permits and contractor licensing for the county are handled by Taylor County Building and Planning, which enforces the Florida Building Code, inspects building, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work, and issues zoning and building permits. The county uses an online permitting system hosted by iWorQ.
Certified vs registered, in the county's own words
Taylor County's licensing page defines the two state license types and adds local detail you will not find on the DBPR site:
| Term | What Taylor County says |
|---|---|
| Certified contractor | Holds a state certificate and may contract in any jurisdiction in Florida without meeting that jurisdiction's competency requirements. You become certified by passing the state exam or through the registered contractor "grandfather" method. |
| Registered contractor | Obtains a license in a home county or city by meeting local requirements, must register with the state, and must obtain a separate competency card in each county or municipality where the contractor works. |
That last point is the practical cost of a registered license in rural North Florida: each county is a separate card. A certified license avoids it, which is also the point of F.S. 489.117.
What a state certified contractor needs here
The county is specific about where your office is:
- Home office in the incorporated area of Taylor County (the City of Perry): you must obtain an occupational license (business tax receipt) as directed on the county page.
- Home office outside the incorporated area, and no branch office in Taylor County: show a copy of your state certification and proof of insurance to the Building Department to obtain a building permit.
The county's Forms and Permits page includes a Contractor License Application and a Specialty Contractor License Application for those pursuing local licensing, along with the usual Notice of Commencement and owner disclosure statements.
Local business tax receipt
The Taylor County Tax Collector says a local business tax receipt is required by Taylor County for the privilege of engaging in a business, profession or occupation, including one-person and home-based businesses. Some businesses that perform several functions may need more than one receipt.
- Businesses outside Perry city limits: contact the Tax Collector's office (850-838-3580; main office at 108 N. Jefferson St., with offices at the Courthouse 2nd Floor).
- Businesses inside Perry city limits: contact the City of Perry (850-584-2721).
- The tax is paid when the business opens and then annually between July 1 and September 30; the receipt is valid through September of the following year. New receipts can be issued any time.
- Before a receipt is issued, the business must meet all county, state and federal regulatory conditions that apply.
Building permits
For a new residential permit, the county's packet asks for two complete sets of paper plans drawn to scale (24 x 36), with a site plan, foundation and footing plans, floor plan showing bearing walls, wall sections, roof framing or truss layout, and electrical, plumbing and HVAC plans, among other items.
State license pages
The county's definitions list mirrors the state categories: see general contractor, building contractor, residential contractor, roofing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical. Every CILB category requires the Business and Finance exam.
FAQ
I am state certified and based in Tallahassee. What do I show to get a Taylor County permit? A copy of your state certification and proof of insurance, per the county's licensing page, since your home office is outside the county.
Does a registered contractor's card from another county work here? The county says a registered contractor must obtain a separate competency card in each county or municipality.
Who issues business tax receipts inside Perry? The City of Perry. Outside city limits, the Taylor County Tax Collector.
Next step
A certified license spares you a separate card in every Big Bend county. Start with Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.