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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Fort Lauderdale?

Permit required

Yes. In Florida, pavers, driveway, or hardscape generally requires a permit, and Fort Lauderdale is no exception.

Whether pavers or a driveway need a permit varies by jurisdiction and by what and where you are paving. Some jurisdictions require a zoning permit for any residential pavers or driveway, while others trigger a permit mainly by slab size and location. Any work in the public right-of-way, such as a driveway approach, commonly needs a separate right-of-way permit.

Get the checklist for your pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Fort Lauderdale. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Local detail for Fort Lauderdale: Online permitting via LauderBuild (Accela Citizen Access).

Florida and local notes for Fort Lauderdale

Impervious-surface and drainage limits can restrict how much of a lot you may pave. Work touching the public right-of-way usually needs a separate right-of-way or driveway-connection permit. Pavers in an easement may require an acknowledgement and can be at risk if a utility needs access. Every address in this county sits inside the Florida Building Code High Velocity Hurricane Zone, the strictest wind construction standard in the state, so materials and methods face requirements that do not apply elsewhere in Florida. Your city issues the permit, not the county. Broward's 31 municipal building departments each run their own permitting and inspections, while the county Board of Rules and Appeals sets code interpretation and the countywide amendments they all work from. The Broward County Amendments to the Florida Building Code, published by the Board of Rules and Appeals under the county charter, apply on top of the state code everywhere in the county. Individual cities can add their own amendments as well, so confirm both. Fort Lauderdale's Driveway, Walk, Patio, Pool Deck checklist (revised August 2026) lists a building permit with Building, Zoning, and Engineering review. Residential pavers and driveways are on the walk-thru list as a Zoning permit. The checklist requires stormwater runoff from the property to be retained on site, and a Notice of Commencement when the job exceeds $2,500. Even a gravel driveway needs a Zoning permit, and gravel driveways are not allowed in the Riverland annexed and Broward County zoned areas.

Documents you may need

  • Permit or zoning applicationSometimes required
  • Site plan or survey showing paved area and property linesLikely required
  • Right-of-way or driveway-connection permit (if in the right-of-way)Sometimes required
  • Easement acknowledgement (if applicable)Sometimes required
  • Product approval or Notice of Acceptance documentation for HVHZ rated materialsSometimes required
  • Building permit application, plus engineering permit for work off siteLikely required
  • Two signed and sealed surveys, or copies with a completed Zoning AffidavitLikely required
  • Plans identifying the driveway, walk, or patio locationLikely required
  • Swale Acknowledge Form for drivewaysSometimes required
  • Recorded Temporary Structure Affidavit for off-site decorative stamped concrete or paver drivewaysSometimes required
  • Recorded Notice of Commencement when the job exceeds $2,500Sometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Subgrade or drainage inspection where required
  • Final inspection
  • Base or forming inspection

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. In Florida, pavers, driveway, or hardscape generally requires a permit, and Fort Lauderdale is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Fort Lauderdale?
The local building department for Fort Lauderdale handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.