How to demolish a house in Cocoa, FL
In Cocoa, residential demolition permits are issued by the City of Cocoa Building Division (application: Demolition (residential or commercial permit type in Citizenserve)).
Demolition permit steps in Cocoa
Step 1
Check whether the structure is historically significant (see historic section).
Step 2
Apply for the demolition permit online through Citizenserve.
Step 3
Pay fees and schedule inspections through Citizenserve.
Utilities, asbestos, septic and trees in Cocoa
The office that issues it
State rules apply on top of the local ones
The asbestos notice, septic and well abandonment, owner-builder limits and the Notice of Commencement come from state law. See the Florida rules that apply to every demolition.
Straight answers
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Cocoa?
Yes. Residential demolition in Cocoa is permitted through the City of Cocoa Building Division. Fee: Residential demolition: flat $75 on the Miscellaneous Permit Fee Schedule, plus the $25 permit application processing fee (and a $150 plan review fee for permits that require plan review). The page says new fees took effect January 1, 2026 under Resolution 2025-088..
Who can pull a demolition permit in Cocoa?
Licensed contractor, or the legal owner as owner-builder under F.S. 489.103(7): the owner must appear in person at the Building Division with proof of ownership and a driver's license showing the property address to sign the Owner/Builder Disclosure Affidavit; LLC or corporate owners and rented or for sale properties are excluded. The city page does not say whether owner-builder applies to demolition specifically.
Do I need an asbestos survey to demolish a house in Cocoa?
No local asbestos program covers this county; FDEP Central District (main line 407-897-4100) receives the Notice of Renovation or Demolition (DEP Form 62-257.900(1), Notice of Demolition or Asbestos Renovation) at least 10 working days before the project start date for projects removing asbestos above the NESHAP thresholds. FDEP lists a $200 flat fee for hard copy or Pay Later notices and a $100 fee when paid through the DEP Business Portal Pay Now feature (effective March 23, 2025). FDEP says buildings meeting the residential exemption criteria in the Asbestos NESHAP are excluded from the work practice requirements; check 40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M for whether a given house qualifies.
Can Brightview handle the demolition in Cocoa?
Yes. Brightview Homes (CRC1334100) pulls the permit under its Florida contractor license and runs the asbestos survey and notice, utility disconnects, historic documentation when it applies, tear-down, haul-off and final inspection. Demolition is quoted per job, typically $12,000 to $24,000.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the official sources below, read on the date shown. Rules change; the building department has the final word.
- City of Cocoa Building and Permitting
https://www.cocoafl.gov/139/Building-Permitting - City of Cocoa Comprehensive Plan, Housing Element (February 2020)
https://cocoafl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13002/III---Housing-Element-ADA - Florida DOS release on Historic Cocoa Village Main Street †
https://dos.fl.gov/historical/meetings-and-events/news-and-press-releases/view-release/?id=69993 - FDEP Asbestos program page (Central District coverage, 10 working day notice, fees)
https://floridadep.gov/air/permitting-compliance/content/asbestos - FDEP Onsite Sewage FAQ, Permitting (which counties DOH still permits)
https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting - DOH Brevard OSTDS Application Packet for Repair Permits and Abandonments (Rev 08/26)
https://brevard.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/repairs-and-tank-abandonments.pdf - FDEP Permitting of ENR-OSTDS, Indian River Lagoon Protection Program
https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/permitting-enhanced-nutrient-reducing-onsite-sewage-treatment-and - https://www.citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController?Action=showLogin&ctzPagePrefix=Portal_&installationID=331&original_iid=0&original_contactID=0
https://www.citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController?Action=showLogin&ctzPagePrefix=Portal_&installationID=331&original_iid=0&original_contactID=0 - https://brevard.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/repairs-and-tank-abandonments.pdf ; https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting ; https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/permitting-enhanced-nutrient-reducing-onsite-sewage-treatment-and
https://brevard.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/repairs-and-tank-abandonments.pdf ; https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting ; https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/permitting-enhanced-nutrient-reducing-onsite-sewage-treatment-and
† Read from a search engine's copy of the official page because the government site blocked direct access during our research. Treat these items as unconfirmed and check them with the office.
What we could not confirm in published sources
Ask the building department about these before you plan around them.
- Whether Cocoa's Land Development Code implements Policy 3.2.2.5 (who decides need, what list of historically significant structures applies, and whether Cocoa Village buildings are covered).
- Demolition permit submittal checklist and utility disconnect requirements (the city says submittal requirements are inside Citizenserve).
- Whether owner-builders may pull demolition permits.
- Contradiction: one search copy of an older fee schedule (Resolution 2022-085) and the current page (Resolution 2025-088) both show $75 residential demolition; office hours differ between sources (8:00 to 5:00 vs 8:00 to 4:30).
Get this scope quoted in Brevard County
Send the address or parcel ID. A real person replies within one business day with a written proposal. Nothing is ordered and nothing is charged until you approve it.
Prefer Spanish? Our team works with you in English or Spanish, from the county board to the permit counter.
- Residential Demolition