Close Open Permits Before You List in Palm Bay

About to list your Palm Bay home? An open or expired permit can stall your sale at the last minute. You want a smooth, stress-free closing and a strong price. In this guide, you’ll learn why open permits matter, how to find them, and the exact steps to close them in Palm Bay, with local links to make it easy. Let’s dive in.

Why open permits matter

Legal disclosure in Florida

You must disclose known, material facts that are not readily visible. Florida’s landmark case, Johnson v. Davis established this duty for sellers. Open or unpermitted work can be considered material. Disclosing early and fixing issues before you list protects you and keeps buyers confident.

Lender and title impacts

Open permits typically do not appear in a standard title search and are not covered by title insurance. As the title industry notes, municipal lien and permit searches are separate and often reveal issues that can delay funding or closing if found late. Learn why these searches matter from this title industry overview.

Statewide remedies help, not replace action

Florida’s 2019 reforms allow local governments to close very old permits after six years if no safety hazards exist and protect arm’s-length purchasers from being penalized for prior owners’ failures. Review the legislation here: HB 447 text. These tools are helpful, but the fastest path to a clean sale is usually closing permits through final inspections and documentation.

Confirm your jurisdiction

Palm Bay sellers should confirm which office issued or must close the permit.

• If your property is inside the City of Palm Bay (Brevard County), use the Palm Bay Building Permits & Inspections page and Brevard County’s BASS permit search.
• If your property is actually in Upper Grand Lagoon (unincorporated Bay County near Panama City), use Bay County’s Permits portal.

Check for open permits

Palm Bay and Brevard steps

• Search the City and County records using Palm Bay’s building page and the Brevard BASS permit search.
• Verify permit numbers, scope of work, inspections completed, and status.
• If anything is unclear, contact the Palm Bay Building Department through the city page for guidance on inspections and next steps.

Upper Grand Lagoon and Bay County steps

• Look up the address in Bay County’s Permits portal or the county’s online portal at portal.baycountyfl.gov.
• For help with records or status, reach Bay County Building Safety at 850-248-8350. Their pages outline how to find permits and how to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion.

Order a municipal lien and permit search

Many title companies or vendors order municipal lien and permit searches during due diligence. These searches can reveal open permits, code violations, and unpaid utilities that are not on a standard title report. See why they are essential in this industry explainer. Start early. These searches can take several days to a few weeks, depending on the jurisdiction.

Close an open permit

1. Confirm permit details. Pull the permit record, scope, contractor, and inspection history through the appropriate portal. Bay County’s entry point is the Permits page; Palm Bay’s is the Building Permits & Inspections page.

2. Schedule required inspections. Arrange finals or re-inspections with the local building department. Complete any corrections that the inspector notes.

3. Hire a licensed contractor if needed. If the original contractor is unavailable, you can engage a new licensed contractor or, where allowed, proceed as an owner-builder with local approval. Florida’s reforms clarify that a subsequent contractor is responsible only for the work they perform. See the Florida bill summary.

4. Pay outstanding fees. This can include reinspection fees or administrative charges. Bay County’s Building Safety pages explain local procedures and fee references. Explore Bay County’s Building Safety hub here.

5. Get final documentation. Collect written proof that the permit is closed, such as a final inspection record or Certificate of Completion. Share it with your title company and the buyer.

Watch for obstacles

• Original contractor is out of business or uncooperative.
• Work was done under an older code and needs updates.
• Missing plans or as-built documents.
• Active code enforcement or fines that must be addressed. Check Bay County’s Code Enforcement page for county process.
• Coastal or marine projects, like docks or seawalls, may involve extra agencies.
• Seasonal inspection backlogs slow scheduling.

Timing varies. Simple finals can take days, but repairs or new permits may push the process into weeks or months. Municipal lien and permit searches can add days to weeks, so plan to start 30-60 days before you list to avoid surprises. For background on timing and why these searches matter, see this industry overview.

Pre-listing checklist

• Confirm the property’s jurisdiction and which office will close the permit. Use Palm Bay and Brevard portals for Palm Bay, or Bay County’s Permits page for Upper Grand Lagoon.
• Run an address search on the appropriate portal and save results. If unclear, call the building department or permit clerk. Bay County’s online portal is here.
• Ask your title company to order a municipal lien and permit search early. It can take days to weeks and often reveals items not in a standard title report. Here’s why these searches matter: title industry explainer.
• If open permits appear, schedule inspections, get contractor estimates, complete required work, and secure final documentation. Florida’s HB 447 provides helpful pathways for older permits and successor contractors. See the statute text and bill summary.
• Keep your title company, lender, and buyer informed and deliver proof of closed permits before closing. Title insurance does not cover open permits. See the industry overview.
• Disclose known open permits or unpermitted work in writing. Florida’s Johnson v. Davis affirms your duty to disclose known, material facts.

Ready to sell with confidence

Clearing open permits before you list helps you avoid delays, keep leverage during negotiations, and deliver a clean closing. If you are planning to sell in Palm Bay or across Brevard’s Space Coast, we are here to help you prepare, price, and present your home with confidence. Connect with The Flamm Team to map out your next steps.

FAQs

What is an open permit when selling a Palm Bay home?

• It is a permit that was issued for work on the property but never received final approval or formal closure, which can create issues for buyers, lenders, and closing.

How do I check permits for a Palm Bay property?

• Search the City’s building page and Brevard’s BASS permit system, starting with the Palm Bay Building Permits & Inspections page and the BASS permit search.

Will title insurance cover open permits in Florida?

• No, standard title insurance does not cover open or expired permits; a separate municipal lien and permit search is needed, as explained in this industry overview.

Can a new contractor close someone else’s old permit in Florida?

• Yes, Florida law allows a subsequent contractor to help close an old permit and limits their liability to the work they perform; see the Florida bill summary.

How long do municipal lien or permit searches take?

• Timelines vary by jurisdiction and workload; many take several business days to a few weeks, so starting early helps avoid closing delays, per this industry explainer.