Demolition permit guide · Brevard County

How to demolish a house in Melbourne, FL

In Melbourne, residential demolition permits are issued by the City of Melbourne Building Section (application: Demolition (EnerGov permit type)). If the house is a designated landmark or sits in a local historic district, review by the Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB); Historic Preservation Officer approves some CoAs comes first.

Verified 2026-10-12 from 13 official sourcesHistoric review applies to some houses
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Residential lot
CRC13341008 Central Florida counties480 N Orlando Ave, Suite 236, Winter Park, FL 32789(407) 543-1739
The process

Demolition permit steps in Melbourne

  1. Step 1

    If the property is a locally designated historic resource or in the Eau Gallie Historic District, contact Community Development (321-608-7500) about a Certificate of Appropriateness before applying.

  2. Step 2

    Apply in EnerGov under the demolition permit type.

  3. Step 3

    Upload a survey (the Document Submittal Guide lists 1 PDF SURVEY for DEMOLITION). Uploaded documents must be digitally signed and sealed where required, unlocked and named by content.

  4. Step 4

    Schedule required inspections through the contractor portal.

What to submit

Documents Melbourne asks for

DocumentWhat it is
Survey (1 PDF)Listed under DEMOLITION in the city's Document Submittal Guide (January 2021). [3]
Proof of ownership, description of work, estimated valueGeneral application items listed in the Building Section FAQ. [4]
Historic houses

If the house is historic in Melbourne

Who reviews it: Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB); Historic Preservation Officer approves some CoAs.

When it applies

  • Property listed on the Melbourne Register of Historic Places (locally designated by City Council resolution).
  • Contributing resource in the Eau Gallie Historic District (12 contributing resources listed by the city).
  • Designation eligibility requires at least 50 years of age and other criteria in City Code Chapter 20, Article VIII, Sec. 20-266; all owners must consent to a designation petition.

How the review works

  • A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for exterior changes to designated properties that need a building permit, before the permit is issued.
  • The HPO or HARB approves the CoA depending on the type of work; work inconsistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation is not permitted.
  • There is no fee for a CoA. Apply through Community Development (community.development@mlbfl.org, 321-608-7500).
  • HARB meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber.

Historic district map and list

Sources: [6], [7]

Before the machine shows up

Utilities, asbestos, septic and trees in Melbourne

Asbestos

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Central District (no delegated local program): 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. [8]

Septic and well

Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (Environmental Public Health); FDEP rules for the Indian River Lagoon: Septic permitting in Brevard is still handled by the county health department (FDEP list of counties). Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, Environmental Public Health Services, charges $70 for an abandonment. Its repair and abandonment packet asks for a complete application, a written legal description, four copies of a site plan signed and dated by the owner or authorized agent, owner authorization if the applicant is not the owner, and a copy of the warranty deed if recently purchased. Applications may be emailed as PDFs to Brevard.SepticApplication@FLHealth.gov. Office: 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Suite A116, Viera, FL 32940, phone 321-633-2100, hours Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (packet Rev 08/26). Indian River Lagoon note: Brevard is in the FDEP Indian River Lagoon Protection Program area; since January 1, 2024 new septic systems on lots of all sizes there must be nitrogen reducing (ENR-OSTDS), and by July 1, 2030 existing systems must connect to sewer if available or upgrade to at least 65 percent nitrogen reduction. Whether rebuilding after a demolition counts as a new system permit is not stated (FDEP points to DCEH 19-004). [13]

After the house is down
  • A $125.00 fee applies if the permit holder fails to schedule a final inspection within 180 days of issuance or of the last approved inspection (fee schedule effective August 7, 2026).
Good to know
  • Designated resources listed by the city include 1149 Houston St, 105 East Ave B, 1393 Pineapple Ave, 509 Palmetto Ave, 1328 Houston St and 1365 Highland Ave (Rossetter House), and 418 E New Haven Ave, plus the Eau Gallie Historic District.
  • HARB also reviews exterior changes to non-residential buildings in the Downtown Melbourne and Olde Eau Gallie redevelopment districts (design review), which is separate from historic designation.
  • The Local Designation and CoA applications and the Historic Properties Survey map are available only by calling 321-608-7500, per the city page.
Where to file

The office that issues it

City of Melbourne Code Compliance Division, Building Section

900 East Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901 (City Hall)

321-608-7900

Department website

EnerGov self-service portal

Demolition application

Who may apply: Licensed contractor, or an owner-builder for residential work only when the property is for the owner's own occupancy and not offered for sale or lease; the owner-builder affidavit is notarized and completed in person (per the city's owner-builder guidance and FAQ).

Fee: Valuation based. Demolition of structure is a construction-related permit under the fee schedule effective August 7, 2026: $65.00 for $1,000 or less; $65.00 plus $6.50 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $383.50 plus $5.50 per $1,000 up to $100,000; $653.00 plus $4.50 per $1,000 up to $500,000. Plan check is 50% of the base fee, a 5% technology fee applies to all Building Division fees, and Community Development and Engineering review is $25.00 per department per permit. Work started without a permit doubles all fees.

Florida rules

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.

Questions people actually ask

Straight answers

Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Melbourne?

Yes. Residential demolition in Melbourne is permitted through the City of Melbourne Building Section. Fee: Valuation based. Demolition of structure is a construction-related permit under the fee schedule effective August 7, 2026: $65.00 for $1,000 or less; $65.00 plus $6.50 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $383.50 plus $5.50 per $1,000 up to $100,000; $653.00 plus $4.50 per $1,000 up to $500,000. Plan check is 50% of the base fee, a 5% technology fee applies to all Building Division fees, and Community Development and Engineering review is $25.00 per department per permit. Work started without a permit doubles all fees..

Who can pull a demolition permit in Melbourne?

Licensed contractor, or an owner-builder for residential work only when the property is for the owner's own occupancy and not offered for sale or lease; the owner-builder affidavit is notarized and completed in person (per the city's owner-builder guidance and FAQ).

What if my house is historic in Melbourne?

If the house is a local landmark or in a local historic district, Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB); Historic Preservation Officer approves some CoAs reviews the demolition before a permit can issue.

Do I need an asbestos survey to demolish a house in Melbourne?

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 Melbourne?

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.

Sources · verified 2026-10-12

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.

  1. Melbourne Building Section
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Code-Compliance-Division/Building-Section
  2. Melbourne Building Permit Fees effective August 7, 2026
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/files/assets/public/v/2/code-compliance/building-section/080726-building-permit-fees.pdf
  3. Melbourne EnerGov Submittal Clarifications and Document Submittal Guide (January 2021)
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/files/assets/public/v/1/code-compliance/building-section/january-2021-energov-submittal-clarifications.pdf
  4. Melbourne Building Section FAQ †
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Code-Compliance-Division/Building-Section/Frequently-Asked-Questions
  5. Owner Builders in the City of Melbourne †
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/files/assets/public/v/2/code-compliance/building-section/owner-builder-updated.pdf
  6. Melbourne Historic Preservation
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Community-Development/Historic-Preservation
  7. Melbourne Historic and Architectural Review Board
    https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Municipal-Boards/Historic-Architectural-Review-Board
  8. FDEP Asbestos program page (Central District coverage, 10 working day notice, fees)
    https://floridadep.gov/air/permitting-compliance/content/asbestos
  9. FDEP Onsite Sewage FAQ, Permitting (which counties DOH still permits)
    https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. https://energovweb25.mlbfl.org/energov_prod/selfservice/#/home
    https://energovweb25.mlbfl.org/energov_prod/selfservice/#/home
  13. 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 demolition of a designated property needs HARB (board) review or HPO (staff) review, and what Chapter 20, Article VIII says on demolition criteria, delay, documentation, relocation or salvage.
  • Whether Melbourne requires utility disconnect letters before a demolition permit issues.
  • Melbourne tree removal permit rules for demolition sites.
  • Average review time specific to demolition permits.
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