Bolthole Index

Polk County, Florida

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Auburndale, Florida

Auburndale, Florida requires building permits for home construction and other regulated work inside city limits, with building permits issued by city Construction Services.12 Auburndale administers its own zoning; the city is in Polk County.3 Septic systems need DOH-Polk permitting, and private wastewater disposal where public sewer is unavailable also needs a written city permit.45

At a glance

Building permits
Required for construction and regulated alterations or building-system work1
Zoning
City zoning applies; confirm the parcel district on the Official Zoning Map3
Septic permits
DOH-Polk permitting plus city approval for private wastewater disposal45
Owner-builder
Conditional licensing exemption for an owner’s own use; building permits and inspections still apply6
Minimum home size
RS-1 detached homes: 1,400 square feet of living area, plus required garage7
Manufactured homes
Manufactured housing developments are permitted in RMH, subject to district requirements8
Floodplain development
City floodplain approval required for development wholly or partly in a flood hazard area9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Auburndale Construction Services

City building permit applications, construction plan review and inspections

(863) 965-5530

permit@auburndalefl.com

108 East Park Street, Auburndale , FL 33823

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

City of Auburndale Community Development

City planning, zoning and land development regulation questions

(863) 965-5530

jwomble@auburndalefl.com

6 Bobby Green Plaza Auburndale , FL 33823

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health

Septic system permitting, site evaluation and inspections, including inside Auburndale

863-519-8330

polkcommunications@FLHealth.gov

2090 E. Clower St Bartow, FL 33830

Floodplain permits

City of Auburndale Floodplain Administrator

City floodplain development applications and approvals

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Auburndale means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Auburndale, FL?

Auburndale requires a building permit to construct a home and for regulated enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, demolition or changes of occupancy.1 Auburndale may also require separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits even when the project does not require a building permit.1

An Auburndale homeowner may act as an owner-builder for a residence used by the homeowner and not offered for sale or lease; that licensing exemption leaves building permits and inspections applicable.6 Florida’s owner-builder rules also require direct onsite supervision of work not performed by licensed contractors.10 Ask Construction Services which building and trade applications your proposed work needs.11

Who issues Auburndale building permits, and where do you apply?

Auburndale Construction Services issues city building permits, reviews construction plans and inspects buildings under construction.2 Contact Construction Services at (863) 965-5530 or permit@auburndalefl.com, or visit 108 East Park Street, Auburndale , FL 33823.11

Auburndale reviews building permit applications in filing order; the city FAQ says approval may take up to 1 week depending on the number of applications, after the application and appropriate drawings are submitted.12 Treat that estimate as conditional when planning your construction schedule.12 Ask Construction Services for the current building permit fee calculation and the inspection schedule for your project.11

Does Auburndale have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Auburndale has city zoning, and the Official Zoning Map is the final authority for a parcel’s current district.3 Ask Community Development to identify the parcel district before choosing a house design or proposing a land split.2

For single-family detached homes in Auburndale’s RS-1 district, the ordinary minimum lot dimensions are 80 feet of width and 10,800 square feet of area; the Green Swamp Protection Area provision instead specifies 14,520 square feet with central water and paved road access.13 RS-1 detached homes ordinarily need a 25-foot front setback and 10-foot side and rear setbacks, with a conditional side-yard exception for narrow nonconforming lots.14 RS-1 impervious coverage is limited to 50% of upland soils, while all other soils must remain unimproved.15 These RS-1 figures do not establish requirements for every Auburndale zoning district.1314

How do septic permits work inside Auburndale?

DOH-Polk inspects, evaluates and permits new and repaired septic systems throughout Polk County, including Auburndale.4 Septic tank permits are available through the Bartow Environmental Public Health Office; call 863-519-8330 about inspections.16

Where public sewer is unavailable in Auburndale, an owner must also obtain a written city permit before constructing a private wastewater disposal system.5 The city director may inspect the work at any stage and must be notified before underground portions are covered for final inspection.17 Plan for both the health department’s septic review and the city’s private-wastewater approval rather than treating the building permit as the whole wastewater process.45 Ask Community Development to direct your parcel-specific sewer and city wastewater questions to the appropriate city office.2

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Auburndale?

We could not confirm an Auburndale rule that authorizes RV living on a private residential lot or a distinct tiny-home occupancy category; ask Community Development about your proposed use and parcel district before buying.2 Auburndale’s prohibition on camping in city parks applies to park property and does not answer the private-lot question.18

Auburndale’s RS-1 detached homes must have at least 1,400 square feet of living area, excluding garage area and separated utility rooms, plus a required garage of at least 400 square feet.7 Manufactured housing developments in RMH have a 500-square-foot minimum living area, excluding carports, garages and separated utility rooms.8 In RG-1, garage apartments may be permitted as accessory dwellings and count toward lot-area computations.19 Those district-specific pathways do not establish permission for an RV dwelling.819

What are the steps to building a home in Auburndale?

Use the following order to organize parcel and construction questions with Auburndale’s city offices and DOH-Polk.216

  1. Confirm the city boundary and zoning district with Community Development; for land outside city limits, use the Polk County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area zoning answer.320
  2. Match the proposed home and lot to the applicable district requirements before preparing construction plans.713
  3. Resolve wastewater disposal: obtain DOH-Polk septic review and the city’s written private-wastewater permit where applicable.45
  4. Apply to the city Floodplain Administrator for development wholly or partly in a flood hazard area, alongside Construction Services when applicable.9
  5. Submit the building permit application and drawings to Construction Services, then coordinate required inspections.1221

Before closing on land, ask Construction Services about certificate-of-occupancy requirements and Community Development about private wells and driveway-access approval; we could not confirm those requirements for Auburndale.112

Watch-outs

  • Auburndale floodplain approval can apply even to structures exempt from the Florida Building Code when development is wholly or partly in a flood hazard area.9
  • Florida’s farm-building exemption is for qualifying nonresidential agricultural structures, excludes urban agriculture and preserves floodplain requirements; it does not authorize a farm building as a home.22
  • We could not confirm current Auburndale building permit fee amounts; request a project-specific calculation from Construction Services.11

Sources

  1. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Auburndale Community Development (auburndalefl.com)
  3. Community Development (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Tanks- Onsite Sewage Treatment & Disposal Systems (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 23-19 - Private wastewater disposal (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  6. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  7. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  8. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 14 - Flood Protection (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  10. 2026 Florida Statutes § 489.103, Exemptions (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Auburndale Construction Services (auburndalefl.com)
  12. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  13. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  14. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  15. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  16. Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health (polk.floridahealth.gov)
  17. Septic Tanks- Onsite Sewage Treatment & Disposal Systems (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  18. Auburndale Code of Ordinances, § 6-29, Camping (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  19. auburndalefl.com (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  20. 2018 Eloise CRA Plan (2026 county census)
  21. Construction Services (Auburndale), quoted and re-checked
  22. Florida Statutes § 604.50, Nonresidential farm buildings; farm fences; farm signs (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Auburndale

Auburndale’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, occupancy changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work in Auburndale city.

    • Separate electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits may be required even when a building permit is not required.
    • The FAQ states its examples are not all inclusive.
    “Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code states that a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing, system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Plans, permits, and inspections submitted to the City of Auburndale.

    • The cited City page expressly identifies adoption of the Florida Fire Prevention Code; it does not itself state a separate local adoption ordinance for every Florida Building Code component.
    • Applications submitted on or before December 30, 2023 are reviewed using 7th edition (2020) codes; applications after that date use the listed 8th-edition fire-code materials.
    “The State of Florida and the City of Auburndale adopted the 8th edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code on December 31, 2023.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Fire-code review for construction in Auburndale city.
      “The State of Florida and the City of Auburndale adopted the 8th edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code on December 31, 2023.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings under construction in Auburndale requiring inspection for technical-code compliance.

    • Work requiring inspection to verify technical-code compliance requires a construction permit.
    “Construction Services registers licensed contractors doing work in the City, issues building permits, reviews all construction plans, and inspects all buildings under construction in Auburndale.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Buildings under construction in Auburndale city.
      “Work that requires an inspection to verify compliance with the applicable technical code requires a construction permit.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Auburndale city limits.

    • District regulations and the official zoning map govern use and development by district.
    “Zoning district regulations prescribe detailed requirements that have application for every land use within the boundaries of a given zoning district.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land inside Auburndale city limits; the City administers its own zoning and land development regulations.
      “The City is hereby divided into zoning districts, as shown on the Official Zoning Map which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of the Land Development Regulations.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land within Auburndale city limits.

    • The official schedule of district regulations is maintained in the City Clerk's office.
    • The official zoning map is the final authority on current zoning status.
    “District regulations for individual zoning districts, other than special districts, shall be as set forth in the schedule of district regulations, Article 6 of this Chapter. The official schedule of district regulations shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached dwellings in the RS-1 Single Family Residential district.

    • Garage area and separated utility rooms are excluded from the minimum living-area calculation.

    minimum living area: >= 1400 sq. ft. (two-car garage required; garage minimum 400 sq. ft.)

    “All single-family detached dwellings shall contain a minimum of 1,400 sq. ft. of living area with a TWO (2) car garage which contains a minimum of 400 sq. ft.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Any City park property in Auburndale.

    • This claim is limited to park property; private-land camping rules require further review of the LDR and cross-referenced provisions.
    “No person shall set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelters, or any special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like on any park property for the purpose of camping.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured housing developments, parks, subdivisions, and condominiums in the RMH Residential Manufactured Homes district.

    • The RMH district primarily encourages manufactured housing developments, including parks, subdivisions, and condominiums.
    • The use remains subject to section 5.2.9 and all applicable LDR requirements.

    minimum living area: >= 500 sq. ft. (carports, garages, and separated utility rooms excluded)

    “PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES AND STRUCTURES. Manufactured housing developments, parks, subdivisions and condominiums as provided for in Sec. 5.2.9. of the LDR.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Garage apartments as accessory dwellings in the RG-1 General Residential district.

    • The garage apartment must be accessory to a permitted use or structure.
    • It is counted as a dwelling unit for lot-area computations.
    • Other applicable LDR requirements remain applicable.
    “Garage apartments only a accessory to permitted uses and structures may be permitted, but shall be counted as dwelling units for purposes of lot area computations.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private wastewater disposal systems where public sewer is unavailable inside Auburndale city limits.

    • A written permit signed by the City director is required before construction.
    • The permit is not effective until installation is completed to the director's satisfaction.
    • The director may inspect at any stage and must receive notice before underground portions are covered.
    “Before commencement of construction of a private wastewater disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the director.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private wastewater disposal systems for property inside Auburndale where a public sewer is not available under § 23-18.

    • A written City permit, City permit/inspection fee, and City inspection are required.
    • System type, capacity, location, and layout must comply with Polk County Health Department, state health, or other applicable regulatory rules.
    • When public sewer becomes available, direct connection is required and private facilities must be abandoned and filled.
    “Where a public sewer is not available under the provisions of section 23-18, the building sewer shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Occupied premises inside Auburndale or an area under City jurisdiction within the LDR-required sewer-connection distance.

    • The City LDR utility-design distance standard controls availability.
    • Connection is required within 90 days after sewage collection service becomes available; sewer charges begin 30 days after availability.
    • Connection must comply with City health regulations and other applicable regulations.

    connection deadline after availability: 90 days · sewer charges commence after availability: 30 days

    “All occupied premises located within the required distance for connection of a sewer main as more specifically set forth in the City of Auburndale Land Development Regulations [...] Such connections are required to be made within ninety (90) days from the date sewage collection service is made available; however, the sewer charges provided herein shall commence thirty (30) days after such sewage collection service is made available.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Bona fide nonresidential agricultural structures inside Auburndale.

    • The City says such structures are not required to comply with building codes, but requires a farm building permit for land-use and fire-code enforcement.
    “Although bona fide non residential agricultural structures are not required to comply with the building codes, a “farm building permit” is required for land use and fire code enforcement.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and resubdivision of land inside Auburndale city limits.

    • For resubdivision of four or fewer previously platted lots with no new street and combined area under 60,000 square feet, six copies of a preliminary sketch plat are required at least 14 days before the City Commission meeting.
    • Larger or different subdivision cases follow additional Chapter 13 procedures.

    submission copies: 6 copies · advance submission: >= 14 days (before City Commission meeting for the specified small resubdivision process)

    “The petitioner shall submit to the Administrative Official 6 copies of a preliminary sketch plat prepared by a Florida registered engineer or surveyor”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and resubdivision of land within Auburndale city limits.
      “THE REGULATION OF THE SUBDIVISION OF LAND IS INTENDED:”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development activity wholly or partially within a flood hazard area inside Auburndale city limits.

    • Application must be made to the Floodplain Administrator and Construction Services if applicable.
    • No permit or approval may issue until the chapter and all other applicable codes and regulations are satisfied.
    • Floodplain approval may be required in addition to a building permit.
    • The permit expires if work does not commence within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days; written extensions of no more than 180 days require justifiable cause.

    commencement deadline: <= 180 days (after issuance; suspension or abandonment for 180 days also invalidates permit)

    “Any owner or owner’s authorized agent (hereinafter “applicant”) who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this chapter, including buildings, structures and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, which is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area shall first make application to the Floodplain Administrator, and Construction Services if applicable, and shall obtain the required permit(s) and approval(s).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in flood hazard areas within Auburndale city limits.
      “Issue floodplain development permits or approvals for development other than buildings and structures that are subject to the Florida Building Code, including buildings, structures and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, when compliance with this chapter is demonstrated, or disapprove the same in the event of noncompliance; and”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City construction and development permitting in Auburndale.

    • The City provides a Development Fee Schedule link; the exact applicable fee depends on permit type and applicable City schedule.
    • Expired-permit renewals can trigger an extension fee or all applicable construction permit fees, depending on elapsed time.
    “Permits which have been expired for 91 to 180 days can be renewed by requesting renewal, in writing, and giving justifiable cause. All applicable construction permit fees, as paid at original permit issue, will be charged.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit applications inside Auburndale city limits.

    • Applications are reviewed in filing order.
    • The Building Official may take up to one week after the application and appropriate drawings are submitted.
    • Permits expired over 180 days cannot be renewed; a new application, payment of all permit fees, and compliance with current codes and regulations are required.

    typical maximum review period: <= 1 week (depending on the number of applications)

    “Depending on the number of applications in the office it may take up to one week to get the application approved and the permit issued.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Building permit applications inside Auburndale.
      “Once the application is filled out and the appropriate drawings are submitted the Building Official reviews the applications in the order in which they come in. Depending on the number of applications in the office it may take up to one week to get the application approved and the permit issued.”

Rules another office applies inside Auburndale

Auburndale does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner inside Auburndale seeking to act as own contractor for a residence for the homeowner's own use and not for sale or lease.

    • The City says the residence must be for the homeowner's own use and not for sale or lease.
    • A City permit remains required where otherwise applicable.
    “The state requires that all work must be done by a licensed contractor, however there is an exemption from the law that says a homeowner living in the house may act as his own contractor if the residence is for his own use and not for sale or lease.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — A homeowner residing in the Auburndale residence may act as the owner-builder for the homeowner's own use.
      “The state requires that all work must be done by a licensed contractor, however there is an exemption from the law that says a homeowner living in the house may act as his own contractor if the residence is for his own use and not for sale or lease.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached dwellings in the RS-1 Single Family Residential district.

    • Within the Auburndale Green Swamp Protection Area, the RS-1 lot area is 14,520 square feet and density is 0–3 units per acre with central water and paved-road access.

    lot width: >= 80 ft (Ordinary RS-1 standard) · lot area: >= 10800 sq ft (Ordinary RS-1 standard)

    “Single-family detached dwellings: Lot width: 80 feet Lot area: 10,800 sq.ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family detached dwellings in the OUA Open Use Agricultural district.
      “Single family detached dwellings: Lot width: 300 feet. Lot area: 5 acres.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Single-family detached dwellings in the OUA Open Use Agricultural district.

    • Other permitted or permissible uses and structures use the same setbacks unless otherwise specified.

    front yard: >= 50 ft · side yard: >= 25 ft · rear yard: >= 25 ft

    “Single family detached dwellings: Front: 50 feet. Side: 25 feet. Rear: 25 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family detached dwellings in the RS-1 Single Family Residential district.
      “Front: 25 feet Side: 10 feet provided that where a single-family detached dwelling is erected on a nonconforming lot of record and the lot is 50 feet or less in width, side yards shall be a minimum of 5 feet in width, unless the structure is over 9 feet in height from the ground to eaves. For any building over 9 feet in height from the ground to the eaves, side yards shall be increased 1 foot for each 3 feet of height above 9 feet. Rear: 10 feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    OUA Open Use Agricultural district.

    • All soils other than upland soils must remain unimproved.

    maximum impervious surface coverage: <= 20 percent of upland soils (All other soils remain unimproved)

    “MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE. 20% for all upland soils. All other soils shall remain unimproved.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RS-1 Single Family Residential district.
      “MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE. 50% for all upland soils. All other soils shall remain unimproved.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    RS-1 Single Family Residential district.

    • The Chapter 5 § 5.2.4 height exceptions apply.

    maximum height: <= 35 ft (Except as provided in § 5.2.4) · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories (Except as provided in § 5.2.4)

    “MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES.Except as provided in Sec. 5.2.4. no portion shall exceed: 2 1/2 stories, 35 feet.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    HI Heavy Industrial district: one recreational vehicle for residential purposes connected with a principal use and used for demonstrated security.

    • Requires Board of Adjustment special exception.
    • All yard requirements for a principal use must be met.

    recreational vehicles: 1 vehicle (Only for demonstrated security in connection with a principal use)

    “5.6.15.4. SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS. One manufactured home or recreational vehicle for residential purposes, in connection with a principal use when used strictly for demonstrated security purposes and provided further that all yard requirements shall be met as for a principal use.”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems inside Auburndale city limits.

    • Polk County is not among the 16 counties transferred to DEP permitting beginning January 2, 2025; the local county health department continues to handle permitting and inspections.
    • DOH-Polk is a state health-department office.
    “The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) inspects, evaluates, and permits the installation of all new and repaired septic systems in the county.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Onsite sewage systems inside Auburndale city limits.
      “The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) inspects, evaluates, and permits the installation of all new and repaired septic systems in the county.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New and repaired septic systems inside Auburndale city limits.

    • Owners or contractors with owner authorization may use a private provider for OSTDS inspections beginning July 1, 2022.
    “The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) inspects, evaluates, and permits the installation of all new and repaired septic systems in the county.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New or repaired septic systems and private wastewater systems inside Auburndale city limits.
      “The director shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction; and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the director when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Auburndale or Polk County directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for land inside Auburndale city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy on private land inside Auburndale city limits.
  • Well permit — Private well permitting inside Auburndale city limits.
  • Driveway access — Driveway-access approval requirements for land inside Auburndale city limits.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use inside Auburndale city limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Auburndale publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Polk County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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