Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Broward County, Florida

Installing structured cabling systems in Broward County requires understanding local permit requirements and Florida contractor licensing. This guide covers everything low voltage contractors need to know about permits for network cabling, fiber optics, and data infrastructure throughout Broward County and its municipalities.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit?

Yes, for most commercial installations. Broward County requires permits for low-voltage electrical work including data cabling in commercial and multi-family buildings. Residential exemptions apply for single-family homes.

When Permits Are Required

• Commercial buildings - All data cabling in offices, retail, industrial
• Multi-family buildings - Apartments, condominiums, and multi-unit residential
• New commercial construction - All structured cabling in new buildings
• Tenant improvements - Network infrastructure in commercial buildouts
• Data center installations - Server room and data center cabling projects
• Fiber optic installations - Both indoor and building-to-building fiber runs

When Permits Are NOT Required

Broward County provides exemptions for residential low-voltage work:

• Single-family residences - Data communication cables exempt from permits
• Duplexes and townhouses - Low-voltage data cabling typically exempt
• Telephone and communication - Residential installations exempt

Note: These exemptions apply only to single-family residences, duplexes, and townhouses - not to multi-family buildings or commercial properties.

Florida Contractor Licensing Requirements

Before performing structured cabling work in Broward County, contractors must hold appropriate state licensure through the Florida DBPR.

License Types for Structured Cabling

License Type	Code	Scope
Limited Energy Specialty	ES	Low voltage systems up to 77 volts - data, fiber, networks
Electrical Contractor	EC	Full electrical including all low voltage work
Alarm System Contractor I	EF	Alarm systems and related low voltage
Alarm System Contractor II	EG	Alarm systems (excluding fire) and related low voltage

Broward County Registration

State of Florida licensed contractors must be registered with Broward County to pull permits in unincorporated Broward County and contracted municipalities.

For complete licensing requirements, see our Florida Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

Broward County Permit Application Process

Step 1: Determine Jurisdiction

Broward County contains multiple jurisdictions:

• Unincorporated Broward: Apply through Broward County Building Division
• Fort Lauderdale: Use LauderBuild portal (digital submissions only)
• Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, etc.: Contact specific city

Step 2: Prepare Documentation

For low voltage electrical permits:

• Broward County Uniform Building Permit Application
• Sub-permit applications (if applicable)
• Two (2) sets of plans
• Two (2) sets of equipment cut sheets
• Valid Florida contractor license number
• Notice of Commencement for jobs $2,500 or greater

For fiber optic permits:

• Broward County Uniform Building Permit Application
• Two (2) sets of plans
• Notice of Commencement for jobs $2,500+

Step 3: Submit Application

Submit through Broward County Building Division or your specific municipality.

Step 4: Pay Fees and Schedule Inspection

Once approved, pay permit fees and schedule inspection upon completion.

Permit Fees

Item	Cost
Low Voltage Permit Fee	$40 maximum (state cap)
Notice of Commencement Threshold	Required for jobs over $2,500
Plan Review (if required)	Additional fees based on project

Municipal vs. County Permits

Many Broward County cities have their own permit requirements:

• Fort Lauderdale: LauderBuild portal - paper applications no longer accepted
• Hollywood: Contact city building department
• Pembroke Pines: City permit process
• Coral Springs: City permit process
• Plantation: City permit process

Always verify which jurisdiction handles your permit based on the project address.

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Structured Cabling

• Single-family, duplex, townhouse: Exempt from permit for data communication cables
• Multi-family buildings: Follow commercial requirements
• Pre-wire for new construction typically included under general permit

Commercial Structured Cabling

• Permits required for all installations
• Plans required for larger projects
• Tenant improvements may require separate low voltage permit
• Data center buildouts require permits and inspections

Industry Standards

Structured cabling installations in Broward County should comply with:

• ANSI/TIA-568 - Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard
• ANSI/TIA-606 - Administration Standard for Telecommunications Infrastructure
• BICSI standards - Best practices for cabling installation
• Florida Building Code - Current edition
• NEC Article 800 - Communications circuits

Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors

• Register with County: State license holders must register with Broward County to pull permits
• Check your municipality: Each city may have different requirements and portals
• Notice of Commencement: Record before starting if project exceeds $2,500
• Residential exemption: Single-family data cabling is permit-exempt - don't waste time on unnecessary permits
• Use plenum cable: Air handling spaces require plenum-rated cable per code

Contact Information

Department	Contact
Broward County Building	(954) 765-4400
Building Code Services	building@broward.org
Address	2307 West Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Planning & Development	(954) 357-6666
Florida DBPR (Licensing)	(850) 487-1395

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Broward County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Florida and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

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Related Permit Guides

• Florida Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements
• Broward County Fire Alarm Permit Requirements
• Broward County Access Control Permit Requirements
• Fort Lauderdale Structured Cabling Permit Requirements