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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for roof replacement or repair in Winter Haven?

Permit required

Yes. In Florida, roof replacement or repair generally requires a permit, and Winter Haven is no exception.

Florida requires a permit to replace or recover a roof, and most repairs above a small area also need one. Under the Florida 25 percent rule, if 25 percent or more of a roof section is repaired or replaced within 12 months, that section must be brought up to the current Florida Building Code. The roofing system usually needs Florida Product Approval.

Get the checklist for your roof replacement or repair in Winter Haven. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Local detail for Winter Haven: Winter Haven's Building and Permitting Division (490 3rd St NW, 863-291-5695) issues permits inside city limits. Since 2026, applications and inspections run through the city's own Accela portal (aca-prod.accela.com/cowh), and inspections can also be booked by text to 888-513-8552 with a 7 AM same-day cutoff. The permit application must be notarized, owner-builders sign their affidavit in person at the office, and a recorded Notice of Commencement must be posted before the first inspection. Fence and wall rules are in city code Sec. 21-69, which requires a permit for any wall and for fences over 6 feet.

Florida and local notes for Winter Haven

Polk County's own permitting office is the Polk County Building Division, reachable on 863-534-6080 at https://www.polkfl.gov/services/building/. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/POLKCO/. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Florida municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. Roofing permits and the dry-in inspection are handled by whichever office serves your address, and Florida requires product approval documentation for roof coverings. Winter Haven runs a dedicated Re-Roof permit type with its own inspection codes: 1402 for the dry-in and flashing in-progress inspection and 1403 for the roof final. The city's Re-Roof Affidavit must be completed, notarized, and posted at the job site for the final inspection on every roofing permit, and the city says the final will fail if the affidavit is incomplete, illegible, or damaged. Winter Haven applications, plan review, approved documents, and inspection scheduling for 2026 and newer permits all run through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal (aca-prod.accela.com/cowh); the older eSuite and ProjectDox portals only hold 2025 and older permits.

Documents you may need

  • Permit applicationLikely required
  • Licensed roofing contractor informationLikely required
  • Product approval (FL number or NOA) for the roofing systemLikely required
  • Notice of commencement (for work over the statutory value)Sometimes required
  • Permit application (if above the local repair threshold)Sometimes required
  • Re-Roof permit application submitted through the Winter Haven Accela Citizen Access portalLikely required
  • Re-Roof Affidavit, completed by the permit holder, notarized, and posted at the job site for the final inspection (nail schedule, sheathing repairs, underlayment, flashing, and vents)Likely required
  • Recorded Notice of Commencement, recorded with the Polk County Clerk and posted on the job site before the first inspection (the city's application warns it is required before the first inspection)Sometimes required
  • Owner Builder Statement/Affidavit, signed in person at the Building & Permitting office (owner-builders only)Sometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Sheathing and nailing inspection
  • Dry-in (underlayment) inspection
  • Final inspection
  • Roof dry-in / flashing in-progress inspection (Winter Haven Re-Roof inspection code 1402)
  • Roof final inspection (code 1403)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for roof replacement or repair in Winter Haven?
Yes. In Florida, roof replacement or repair generally requires a permit, and Winter Haven is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Winter Haven?
The local building department for Winter Haven 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.