Building Permit Search in Broward County, Florida
Need to check the permit history for a property in Broward County? Whether you're buying a home, planning renovations, or just verifying past work, Broward County's building permits are public records. Here's the quickest way to find them.
Who keeps the records
Broward County handles building permits for unincorporated areas — properties that aren't inside an incorporated city's limits. If your property is in unincorporated Broward, your permits are on file with the county, not the nearest city. Municipalities inside the county maintain their own separate permit records.
Searching the official portal
Broward County's permit records are available online here:
Search by address to view permits associated with the property. You'll typically see the permit number, type of work, issue date, inspection history, and current status.
What the statuses mean
"Final" or "Closed" means the work passed its final inspection. "Open," "Issued," or "Expired" can mean the permit was never closed out — something title companies and lenders flag during a sale or refinance. Older permits with no final inspection date deserve a closer look.
Local permit notes
Broward runs its own building recertification program similar to Miami-Dade's, with a 50-year follow-up cycle - these two counties are the only ones in Florida with recert programs predating the Surfside reforms. The county permits unincorporated areas; most big Broward cities (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines) run their own systems.
The faster option
If you'd rather skip navigating government portals, PermitVista compiles the complete permit history into a single PDF within seconds. You'll see permit statuses explained in plain English, any permits that may need attention, and links back to the official records for verification.
Get an instant permit report for a Broward County address →
Frequently asked questions
How do I find permits for a Broward County address?
Use the free search box on this page to look up a Broward County property address and get an instant summary. You can also search the official permit portal linked above, or run a full PermitVista report from the homepage. Remember that unincorporated addresses may be filed with the county, not the city. See also: how to find permit history.
What does an open permit mean in Broward County?
In Broward County, as elsewhere in Florida, an open permit is one that was issued but never closed out with a final inspection. It can delay a sale or refinance even years later. The property owner of record is responsible for resolving it through the local building department. More detail: what an open permit means.
Who do I contact about an old permit in Broward County?
Contact the Broward County building department (or the county office, if the address is unincorporated) that issued the permit — start with the official portal linked on this page. For close-out options such as final inspection, reactivation, or administrative close-out, the local department sets the rules. A PermitVista report can help you identify which permits may still need attention before you call. Guide: how to close out an old permit.