If you own a home in Naples or elsewhere in Collier County, a change that took effect July 1, 2026 could make certain smaller home improvement projects a little easier. Under new Florida building-permit rules, certain work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family home may now be exempt from the requirement to obtain a building permit. Collier County has implemented the new exemption through its Building Division.
That sounds simple enough. But before you start a project assuming you no longer need a permit, there are some very important limitations.
What Changed on July 1, 2026?
Florida's CS/CS/HB 803, which became Chapter 2026-63, made a number of changes to building permitting and inspections throughout the state. Among them is a requirement for local governments to exempt qualifying work on single-family residential property valued at less than $7,500 from building permitting. The law became effective July 1, 2026. Collier County now has a specific process for homeowners and contractors seeking this exemption.
According to the County, qualifying work must meet several requirements:
- The work must be valued at less than $7,500.
- The exemption applies only to single-family detached structures under Collier County's published guidance.
- The property cannot be partially or entirely located within a flood hazard area.
- The work cannot include structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing or gas work.
- The work must be performed by the homeowner or a licensed contractor.
- A larger construction project cannot be divided into smaller projects simply to bring each portion below the $7,500 threshold.
- All work must still comply with applicable building codes, laws, ordinances and zoning regulations.
That last point is particularly important: permit-exempt does not mean code-exempt.
Not Every Project Under $7,500 Qualifies
The dollar amount is only one part of the test. For example, homeowners shouldn't assume that a $4,000 project automatically qualifies simply because it falls below $7,500. If the work involves electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas components, the exemption does not apply under Collier County's published criteria. Likewise, a qualifying type of project on a property located in a flood hazard area would not receive this exemption.
That flood-zone restriction is especially relevant here in Southwest Florida, where many properties are located within designated flood hazard areas. The exemption is also specifically limited by Collier County to single-family detached structures. That means condo owners, for example, should not interpret this change as permission to undertake projects in their units without determining the applicable permitting requirements.
You Still Have to Ask Collier County for the Exemption
This may be the most misunderstood part of the new rule. The process isn't simply: "My project costs $6,000, so I don't need a permit." Instead, the homeowner or contractor must submit a written request for an exemption to the Collier County Building Division. The request needs to identify the owner and property, describe the proposed work and indicate whether the project will be completed by a contractor or as an owner-builder.
Documentation demonstrating the scope and value of the work must also be provided. Depending upon the project, that may include a contractor's contract or construction documents showing the work, value and location. County staff then reviews the request.
If it qualifies, the County issues a letter of exemption. If additional documentation is needed, the County can request it. If the project doesn't meet the exemption criteria, the request can be denied and a regular building permit will be required. So, practically speaking, homeowners shouldn't simply skip the permit and hope their interpretation of the rule is correct.
How Do You Request the Exemption?
Collier County handles these requests through its GMCD Public Portal, under the "Work Exempt from Permit (PRAD)" application. Supporting documentation is uploaded there for the County's review.
You can find Collier County's current requirements here:
Collier County – Work Exempt from Permit (PRAD)
Because regulations and procedures can change, I recommend checking the County's current requirements and confirming the exact portal steps before beginning a project, rather than relying solely on information you may have heard from a contractor, neighbor or social media post.
What About Fences?
Collier County's guidance specifically addresses qualifying fences under $7,500 as well. A qualifying fence cannot be used for pool protection and cannot contain certain structural elements such as tie beams, filled cells or reinforced footers. Even when a fence qualifies for the building-permit exemption, the County indicates it will still be reviewed for compliance with Land Development Code requirements and easement encroachments.
It's a good example of why "no building permit required" doesn't necessarily mean "no government review or other approval required."
Homeowners also need to remember that HOA or community architectural requirements may be separate from County permitting requirements. A County exemption does not automatically eliminate private deed restrictions or community approval requirements that may apply to your property. Worth noting: Florida law also works in the other direction here. It prohibits an HOA or architectural review committee from requiring a government building permit as a prerequisite for its own review. So the two processes, County exemption and HOA approval, really do run on separate tracks, and neither one substitutes for the other.
Why This Matters When You Eventually Sell Your Home
As a real estate agent, this is where I think homeowners should pay particular attention.
When preparing a home for sale, questions about improvements and permits come up frequently. Buyers may want to know when renovations were completed, who performed the work and whether required permits were obtained and properly closed.
The new exemption doesn't mean documentation is no longer important. In fact, if you complete work under the exemption, I would recommend keeping your Collier County exemption letter, contractor agreement, invoices, receipts and other documentation with your home's records. Years from now, if a buyer asks why there isn't a traditional building permit associated with an improvement, having documentation showing that the County reviewed the project and issued an exemption letter can help explain the history of the work. It's one more reason I encourage homeowners to think beyond simply completing a project. Good records can matter when it comes time to sell.
Could This Make Smaller Home Improvements Easier?
For qualifying projects, absolutely. Permitting can add time, expense and administrative work to what might otherwise be a relatively modest home improvement. Allowing certain lower-value projects to proceed without a traditional building permit may remove some of that burden. But the new rule shouldn't be interpreted as a blanket "$7,500 or less means no permit" policy. The type of work matters. The property matters. Flood-zone status matters. And you still need to request and receive the exemption from Collier County before relying upon it.
Planning a Home Improvement? Think About Resale Value Too
One of the questions homeowners frequently ask me is whether a particular renovation is "worth it." That answer isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. Some improvements can make a home significantly more appealing to buyers without necessarily returning every dollar spent. Others may improve how a home shows but have relatively little effect on market value. And occasionally, homeowners spend substantial amounts of money improving something that today's buyers would have preferred to change differently themselves.
That is why, particularly with larger projects, it can be worthwhile to have a conversation about resale value before you spend the money rather than after.
I regularly see what buyers respond to, what features help homes compete, and which improvements tend to matter when buyers are comparing one property against another. So if you're thinking about making improvements to your Naples-area home, even if you're not planning to sell anytime soon, I'm always happy to be a resource. I can also help connect you with contractors and other local professionals when you need them.
Sometimes a relatively small improvement can make a meaningful difference. And thanks to this new exemption, certain smaller projects may now involve a little less red tape. Just make sure your project actually qualifies before you skip the permit.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, construction, engineering or permitting advice. Building codes, flood designations, municipal requirements and permitting procedures can change and may vary by jurisdiction and property. Property owners should confirm current requirements directly with the applicable building authority and qualified professionals before beginning work.
If you are considering buying or selling a home in Naples and surrounding areas and you aren’t satisified with average services, you will want to contact Your Naples Real Estate Expert, Renee Hahn, to ensure you get the service, attention and outcomes you deserve.
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