Permit Requirements 

The building permit counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm.

Effective August 31, 2022, the Safety Harbor permit and inspection fees will be changing.  A link to the new fee schedule is below:

Permit Inspection and Impact Fees Effective August 31, 2022

Contact Information

Please e-mail us at:

ebpermits@cityofsafetyharbor.com for permit related questions

Please call us at (727) 724-1515 if you have any questions.

Permits Reviewed by Pinellas County

Effective May 1, 2021, the City of Safety Harbor building and inspection activities are subject to an Interlocal Agreement with Pinellas County. Pinellas County will issue many permit types. Most permits will start out by being submitted to the Safety Harbor Building Department, but the following permit applications will be submitted solely to Pinellas County using Pinellas County's forms and procedures:

1. Electric (on private property only)
2. Plumbing (on private property only)
3. Window/Doors/Garage Doors
4. Roofs
5. Mechanical and A/C changeouts
6. Gas permits for natural gas without new service

Below is contact information for Pinellas County Building Services

Address: 440 Court Street, Clearwater
Phone: (727) 464-3888
Website: http://www.pinellascounty.org/build/default.htm

Below is a link to instructions and a permit review by type list.

Safety Harbor Permitting Brochure

Online Permits

We are accepting online permit applications for driveways, sheds up to 100 sq. ft., fence and walls (non-masonry and without columns), irrigation permits for existing homes, pavers and parking lots, and tree removal applications.

Click here to apply.

Select “Apply for a Permit”
• You will need to register under “Currently not signed in” at the top right of the screen before scheduling the first inspection.
• You will need to obtain a PIN by emailing or calling the Building Division.
• Once you are registered and have a PIN, you will be able to apply for an on line permit.

If you are applying for all other permits such as new commercial construction, new residential construction, and tree permits, additions, or any other project that requires full-size plans, you must apply in person at City Hall, 750 Main Street, Safety Harbor.

Permits for New Residential or New Commercial Construction and Additions

Prior to submitting a permit application for commercial renovation, new commercial, or commercial addition permits, a pre-application call is required to review future steps and business tax requirements. Please email planningdepartment@cityofsafetyharbor.com to schedule this call. This can be accommodated by phone or on-line.

We require a completeness review of new residential (new and additions) and new commercial (new, additions, and renovations) construction permits and residential or commercial addition permits. During this time, staff will confirm that all documents on the checklist are included, and the correct number of copies are provided. To schedule a time, please call 727-724-1515.

Inspections

City staff conducts inspections to ensure compliance with the Land Development Code, City Code, and Fire Code. Pinellas County conducts inspections to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code. Inspection scheduling procedures by permit type are below:  

Inspections for permits issued before May 1, 2021

• E-mail inspection requests to inspections@cityofsafetyharbor.com by 3 pm on the last business day the city is open before the requested inspection date. Please note that the city is not open on holidays and requests would be needed the business day before a holiday to schedule an inspection on a day after a holiday.  

• Indicate any needed information such as gate codes, phone numbers, or special instructions to access the property.

• Please note that Pinellas County will accept requests for morning or afternoon inspections. They will do their best to meet these requests.  

• You can call Pinellas County on the day of your inspection at 727-464-3888 and request more information about general time frames.  

County Only Inspections for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building permits issued after May 1, 2021

• Contact Pinellas County to schedule the inspection.

City Review Only Permit Inspections 

• E-mail inspection requests to inspections@cityofsafetyharbor.com at least seven days before the requested inspection date. Please note that the city is not open on holidays. City inspections do not require presence of the homeowner or contractor, unless the area to be inspected is normally inaccessible.  

• Indicate any needed information such as gate codes, phone numbers, or special instructions to access the property.

City-County Review Inspections 

• Inspections for Florida Building Code are scheduled and performed through Pinellas County Building Services. The City inspects for compliance with City codes prior to final Florida Building Code inspections. 

• E-mail City inspection requests to inspections@cityofsafetyharbor.com at least seven days before the requested inspection date. Please note that the city is not open on holidays. City inspections do not require presence of the homeowner or contractor, unless the area to be inspected is normally inaccessible. 

• Indicate any needed information such as gate codes, phone numbers, or special instructions to access the property.

• Once City staff has approved City inspections, please schedule final Florida Building Code inspections with Pinellas County for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building inspections.

Certificates of Occupancy/Certificate of Completion Final Inspections for permits issued after May 1, 2021 

• Temporary COs/CCs will not be issued. 

• Once all work is complete, please email CO/CC inspection requests to inspections@cityofsafetyharbor.com. Please note that CO inspections can take a few weeks to complete. Please note that the city is not open on holidays. City inspections do not require presence of the homeowner or contractor, unless the area to be inspected is normally inaccessible. 

• Once city staff has approved the city inspections, please schedule a CO/CC inspection with Pinellas County.  Once all inspections are final, Pinellas County will issue the CO/CC.  

Inspection Results and Permit Information for Contractors

Contractors can click here, log in and select “view my activity” to view inspection results or review completed inspections.

Permit Information Searches

Permit information can be searched by clicking here, selecting building department search, and typing an address.

Expired and Open Permits

As of May 2021, the City of Safety Harbor has entered into an interlocal agreement with Pinellas County to serve as our Building Official. Therefore, to close an open expired permit with Safety Harbor, you must reactivate the permit with Pinellas County – by submitting a new permit application with the County, along with this form and any additional historical documentation provided by the City (please call 727-724-1515 or email ebpermits@cityofsafetyharbor.com to request historical documents). See Pinellas County Building Services website here https://www.pinellascounty.org/build/ for hours and location. The County will make the final determination of what additional action or inspection is required (if any) to close the permit.

Once County staff approves the closure of the permit, submit the signed "Expired/Open Permit Closure Approval Form" to the City of Safety Harbor’s Building Division – 750 Main Street, Safety Harbor FL 34695, or to ebpermits@cityofsafetyharbor.com

Permit Payments

For permit payment options, click here.