Your state license lets you contract in Florida, but before you pull a permit locally, the city or county needs your paperwork on file. And if you hold a registered license, your next renewal deadline is August 31, 2027.
City vs. County: two separate registrations
The City of Tallahassee and unincorporated Leon County are separate jurisdictions with their own building offices, portals and forms. You only need to register where you pull permits, but if you work in both, you register in both.
City of Tallahassee: what to have ready
- Your active state contractor license, in the name you'll permit under.
- A general liability certificate naming City of Tallahassee, Building Inspection, 300 South Adams Street, Box B-28 as certificate holder.
- A workers' compensation certificate or exemption naming the same holder.
- A notarized Contractor Authorization form for each agent (up to 10).
Unincorporated Leon County: what to have ready
- State Certified Contractor Registration Form.
- Contractor's Authorized Agent Form.
- Portal account verification.
Local business tax
Neither the City of Tallahassee nor unincorporated Leon County requires a local business tax; both repealed it. Firms based in other counties may still need one (Oct 1 to Sept 30).
Your 2027 license renewal
- Registered contractor licenses expire August 31, 2027. Certified licenses expire in even years.
- Renewal requires 14 continuing-education hours, including required topics.
- DBPR decides every renewal. We can track your date and gather your documents so nothing sneaks up on you.
Notice of Commencement basics
- It must be recorded and posted on site before the first inspection.
- A copy goes to the permit office when the direct contract is over $5,000.
- HVAC repair or replacement under $15,000 is excluded.
Quick answers
Rather hand it off? We publish our prices, and we'll always tell you when a filing is free to do yourself.
Start with the $49 Ready-to-Work CheckGeneral information, not legal or tax advice. Agencies set all requirements, fees and deadlines and can change them; check the agency before you file. Paperwork LLC is not affiliated with any government agency.