Demolition permit guide · Seminole County

How to demolish a house in Longwood, FL

In Longwood, residential demolition permits are issued by the City of Longwood Building Division (application: Demolition Permit Application with Demolition Permit Procedures (version October 2022)). If the house is a designated landmark or sits in a local historic district, review by the City Commission (no separate historic board found; Community Development Department reviews) comes first.

Verified 2026-10-12 from 4 official sourcesHistoric review applies to some houses
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CRC13341008 Central Florida counties480 N Orlando Ave, Suite 236, Winter Park, FL 32789(407) 543-1739
The process

Demolition permit steps in Longwood

  1. Step 1

    Optional pre-permit meeting with the Building Official.

  2. Step 2

    Submit the application with all attachments and utility shut-off confirmations.

  3. Step 3

    Install silt fence, inlet protection and turbidity barriers; city staff inspect and sign off.

  4. Step 4

    Install right-of-way and pedestrian protection; city staff inspect and sign off.

  5. Step 5

    Pre-issuance inspection verifies utilities disconnected, runoff controls, fencing and ROW protection.

  6. Step 6

    Permit released; schedule an in-progress inspection the day work starts.

  7. Step 7

    Final inspection after debris removal and site restoration.

What to submit

Documents Longwood asks for

DocumentWhat it is
Notarized owner letterAcknowledges the structure will be demolished and the property is vacant. [1]
Written description of demolition methods and debris storage [1]
Written description of materials removed and disposal (recycle, landfill, hazardous waste) [1]
Erosion, runoff, dust and debris control plan [1]
Site plan or surveyShows improvements to be removed and to remain. [1]
Utility disconnect lettersIncluding the Seminole County Health Department for septic systems. [1]
Licensed mechanical or A/C contractor in the permit packageFor refrigerant removal; affidavit of refrigerant removed at final. [1]
Asbestos documentationCopy of the required notification and contact with the State Asbestos Coordinator. [1]
Notice of CommencementWhen required by Chapter 713, F.S. [1]
Historic houses

If the house is historic in Longwood

Who reviews it: City Commission (no separate historic board found; Community Development Department reviews).

When it applies

  • Contributing structure in the Longwood Historic District shown on the future land use map (LDC s. 10.7.0).

How the review works

  • Applicant must show demolition is warranted and that alternatives including renovation, stabilization or relocation were explored; demolition approval must be final before the building permit for demolition issues (s. 10.7.1.C.2).
  • Application to Community Development, which prepares findings for the City Commission (s. 10.7.1.C.4).
  • Notice mailed to all property owners in the district, newspaper or website publication, and site posting (s. 10.7.3).
  • City Commission hearing; the Commission has up to 270 calendar days to decide and may postpone to save the structure (s. 10.7.1.C.5).
  • Demolition only to clear land or avoid maintenance is not an option; without a defined redevelopment plan, the only reason to demolish a contributing structure is an imminent threat to health or safety (s. 10.7.1.C.1).

What the board can ask for

  • Evidence of good-faith efforts to pursue alternatives, including offering the property for sale or moving it within the district (s. 10.7.1.C.3).
  • Pictures of the building and land from the front street (s. 10.7.1.C.3(f)(xiii)).
  • Pictures of all exterior elevations from rooftop to ground and of interior rooms (s. 10.7.1.C.3(f)(xiv)).
  • A statement of all special features and materials used inside and outside (s. 10.7.1.C.3(f)(xv)).
  • Cost estimates, engineer or architect report on structural soundness and suitability for rehabilitation, market values, purchase details, mortgage, appraisals, listings, assessed values, taxes, form of ownership (s. 10.7.1.C.3(f)).
  • City may hire a licensed architect specializing in historic structures to evaluate submittals at the applicant's cost†.

Demolition delay: City Commission has up to 270 calendar days to decide and may postpone further (s. 10.7.1.C.5).

Relocation, salvage and donation: Alternatives must include relocation; economic hardship requires showing the owner tried feasible alternatives such as offering the resource for sale or moving it elsewhere in the district (s. 10.7.1.C).

Sources: [2]

Before the machine shows up

Utilities, asbestos, septic and trees in Longwood

Utilities
  • City of Longwood water (407-263-2388) or Utilities, Inc. of Florida (407-869-1919): Written confirmation that service is discontinued and lines removed, cut or capped before permit issuance. [1]
  • City of Longwood sewer (407-260-3470) or Sunshine Utilities (866-842-8432): Same. [1]
  • Duke Energy (800-700-8744): Same. [1]
  • TECO Peoples Gas (407-425-4662): Same. [1]
  • CenturyLink, Spectrum: Same. [1]
Asbestos

FDEP Central District air compliance office (Seminole County has no local asbestos program per FDEP): Longwood lists the State Asbestos Coordinator at 407-897-4100 and DEP notification at 850-717-9000. FDEP Notice of Renovation or Demolition (Form 62-257.900(1)) at least 10 working days before demolition for buildings subject to the asbestos NESHAP; isolated residential buildings of four or fewer units are generally exempt unless part of a larger project or used commercially. FDEP Central District: 407-897-4100. see the Florida rules on our residential demolition page. [1]

Septic and well

Seminole County Health Department; St. Johns River Water Management District: Septic disconnect letter from the Seminole County Health Department Environmental Health Services (407-665-3619). Wells must be abandoned by a licensed contractor as part of demolition (St. Johns River WMD 407-659-4800). [1]

After the house is down
  • Final inspection: debris removed, fencing removed, site restored, refrigerant affidavit.
  • Remove footers and foundations unless approved to remain; regrade without raising the site above neighbors or changing runoff; sod or seed pervious areas; maintain the lot.
  • Pools removed or bottom broken out and filled with clean fill.
Good to know
  • Unpermitted demolition of a historic building: fine of $250.00 per square foot of the affected area (LDC s. 10.7.1.C.6).
  • Demolition permits expire 30 days from issuance†.
  • Code Sec. 18-95 adds supplemental unsafe-building abatement procedures for historic buildings, requiring consideration of alternatives before demolition†.
Where to file

The office that issues it

City of Longwood Building Division

(407) 260-3486

Department website

Demolition application

Who may apply: One or two-family homes: an owner-builder (subject to Building Code exemption standards) or a state-licensed residential contractor. Other buildings: Division 1 contractor or licensed demolition specialty contractor. Proof of liability and workers' comp insurance.

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 Longwood?

Yes. Residential demolition in Longwood is permitted through the City of Longwood Building Division.

Who can pull a demolition permit in Longwood?

One or two-family homes: an owner-builder (subject to Building Code exemption standards) or a state-licensed residential contractor. Other buildings: Division 1 contractor or licensed demolition specialty contractor. Proof of liability and workers' comp insurance.

What if my house is historic in Longwood?

If the house is a local landmark or in a local historic district, City Commission (no separate historic board found; Community Development Department reviews) reviews the demolition before a permit can issue. City Commission has up to 270 calendar days to decide and may postpone further (s. 10.7.1.C.5).

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

Longwood lists the State Asbestos Coordinator at 407-897-4100 and DEP notification at 850-717-9000. FDEP Notice of Renovation or Demolition (Form 62-257.900(1)) at least 10 working days before demolition for buildings subject to the asbestos NESHAP; isolated residential buildings of four or fewer units are generally exempt unless part of a larger project or used commercially. FDEP Central District: 407-897-4100. see the Florida rules on our residential demolition page.

Can Brightview handle the demolition in Longwood?

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. City of Longwood Demolition Permit Procedures, version October 2022
    https://www.longwoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/8597/Demolition-Permit-Requirements-PDF
  2. Longwood Development Code s. 10.7.0 Historic district
    https://library.municode.com/fl/longwood/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIILODECO_ARTXAD_10.7.0HIDI
  3. https://www.longwoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/4597/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF-
    https://www.longwoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/4597/Demolition-Permit-Application-PDF-
  4. https://www.longwoodfl.org/169/Building-Division
    https://www.longwoodfl.org/169/Building-Division

What we could not confirm in published sources

Ask the building department about these before you plan around them.

  • Historic district demolition application fee (Code s. 2-424 lists one; amount not read).
  • Building Division address.
  • Whether the Historic District Code Book adds requirements.
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