Florida House Bill 803 was intended to make life easier for homeowners by exempting certain small residential projects from building-permit requirements. Nassau County’s implementation, however, offers a nearly perfect example of how government can turn regulatory relief into another government process.
The county’s new bulletin (https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/31833/Bulletin-02-2026—House-Bill-803—Permit-Exemption-Request-I) explains that qualifying nonstructural work valued at less than $7,500 may no longer require a building permit. That sounds like welcome news—until the next sentence.
Before beginning the work, owners and contractors must submit a Building Permit Exemption Request and obtain approval from the county’s Building Official…