Demolition permit guide · Lake County

How to demolish a house in Leesburg, FL

In Leesburg, residential demolition permits are issued by the City of Leesburg Building Division (application: Demolition Application and Affidavit (Affidavit of Requirements for Demolition of Structures, plus Owner's Affidavit for Demolition of Structures), with the building permit application). If the house is a designated landmark or sits in a local historic district, review by the Historic Preservation Board comes first.

Verified 2026-10-12 from 11 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 Leesburg

  1. Step 1

    Notify all utility companies (power, gas, telephone) of the intent to demolish.

  2. Step 2

    If the structure has City of Leesburg electric service, get the demolition permit, then call Leesburg Customer Service at 352-728-9800 to order removal of the electric meter and service. Do not remove the meter yourself. Crew dispatch can take up to 96 hours or more.

  3. Step 3

    Remove and seal any solar, generator, water, gas or septic connections per the Florida Building Code and local ordinances.

  4. Step 4

    Submit the building permit application, notarized demolition affidavit, owner's affidavit(s), proof of ownership, asbestos acknowledgement, and plot plan.

  5. Step 5

    Pass the pre-demolition inspection verifying utilities are disconnected.

  6. Step 6

    Demolish, take debris to the appropriate Solid Waste drop off site in Leesburg/Lake County, and post the receipts on the job site.

  7. Step 7

    Pass the final inspection after all debris is removed.

What to submit

Documents Leesburg asks for

DocumentWhat it is
Building permit application formListed on the demolition affidavit. [3]
Demolition / Owner's affidavit (signed and notarized)All owners listed on the property must sign an Owner's Affidavit. [3]
Proof of ownershipTax receipt, property record card or warranty deed. [3]
Asbestos AcknowledgementBuilding Department Asbestos Acknowledgement and Notification Statement (created 06/10/2025); applicant acknowledges receipt of the DEP Notification of Renovation or Demolition form. [4]
Plot planShowing all structures, septic tank and well, with the structure to be demolished identified. [3]
Historic houses

If the house is historic in Leesburg

Who reviews it: Historic Preservation Board.

When it applies

  • Property in the Downtown Historic District (approved by voters May 2003, about 105 acres and over 300 parcels; boundary described on the city's Historic Preservation page).

How the review works

  • The Historic Preservation Board works with the Planning Division on design standards for properties requesting alterations, construction, demolition, relocation or removal in the Historic District.
  • Historic applications are due by 4:00 PM on the first working day of the month; the board meets at 4:30 PM in City Hall commission chambers.
  • Fees: Historic Application Review (Staff) $50; Historic Application Review (HPB) $120.
  • Example: November 5, 2025 HPB agenda heard case HP-25-725, 404 W Main Street, partial demolition and renovations.

Historic district map and list

Sources: [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]

Before the machine shows up

Utilities, asbestos, septic and trees in Leesburg

Utilities
  • City of Leesburg Electric: After obtaining a demolition or removal permit from the building agency with jurisdiction, call Customer Service at 352-728-9800 to order removal of the electric meter and service. Meter tamper fees apply if the seal is broken. Removal may take up to 96 hours or more. [5]
  • Power, gas and telephone companies: Applicant certifies all have been notified; water, gas, solar, generator and septic connections removed and open lines sealed. [3]
Asbestos

FDEP: Asbestos acknowledgement required with the permit; quotes FBC 105.9 and F.S. 469.003. If asbestos is found, the Building Department must be notified and Chapter 469, F.S. followed. [4]

Septic and well

Florida Department of Health in Lake County (not named on the city form): Plot plan must show septic tank and well. Applicant certifies any septic connected to the building has been properly removed and open lines sealed. [3]

After the house is down
  • Final inspection after the structure is demolished and all debris removed; Solid Waste drop off receipts must be posted at the job site for final inspection.
Good to know
  • Two inspections are required: pre-demolition (utilities disconnected) and final.
  • The affidavit asks whether the structure is three stories or less or above three stories.
  • Historic preservation contact: Planner, 352-728-9786 x1721; Planning and Zoning, 204 N. 5th Street.
Where to file

The office that issues it

City of Leesburg Building Division

204 N. 5th Street, Leesburg, FL 34748 (per the 2025 asbestos form; the Building Department web page lists City Hall, 501 West Meadow Street)

352-728-9735 (on the 2025 asbestos form); 352-728-9700 (Building Department page)

Department website

Leesburg Online Services for Building Permits

Demolition application

Who may apply: Signature of the person responsible for demolition, with license number if applicable. All owners listed on the property must sign an Owner's Affidavit. An Owner Builder Statement form is on the city forms page.

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 Leesburg?

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

Who can pull a demolition permit in Leesburg?

Signature of the person responsible for demolition, with license number if applicable. All owners listed on the property must sign an Owner's Affidavit. An Owner Builder Statement form is on the city forms page.

What if my house is historic in Leesburg?

If the house is a local landmark or in a local historic district, Historic Preservation Board reviews the demolition before a permit can issue.

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

Asbestos acknowledgement required with the permit; quotes FBC 105.9 and F.S. 469.003. If asbestos is found, the Building Department must be notified and Chapter 469, F.S. followed.

Can Brightview handle the demolition in Leesburg?

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. Leesburg Building Department
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/departments/building/index.php
  2. Leesburg Forms
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/services/forms.php
  3. Demolition Application and Affidavit (rev. Sept 16, 2019)
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/document_center/Building/Demolition%20of%20structureR.pdf?t=202401251442010
  4. Asbestos Acknowledgement and Notification Statement (2025)
    https://leesburgflorida.gov/document_center/Building/Asbestos%20Statement%20and%20DEP%20Notification%20forms.pdf?t=202506171518090
  5. Leesburg Electric: New construction/upgrade
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/services/electric/new_construction_upgrades.php
  6. Leesburg Historic Preservation
    https://leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/departments/pnz/historic_preservation.php
  7. Leesburg Planning and Zoning
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/departments/pnz/index.php
  8. Leesburg Planning Application Fees
    https://leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/departments/pnz/fees.php
  9. https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/boardsandcommittees.php
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/boardsandcommittees.php
  10. https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/2025%2011%2005%20-%20Agenda%20-%20Historic%20Preservation%20Meeting.pdf?t=202510220714160
    https://www.leesburgflorida.gov/2025%2011%2005%20-%20Agenda%20-%20Historic%20Preservation%20Meeting.pdf?t=202510220714160
  11. https://cdpservices.leesburgflorida.gov/prod/oprs_pt/
    https://cdpservices.leesburgflorida.gov/prod/oprs_pt/

What we could not confirm in published sources

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

  • the city code is on Municode, which could not be retrieved.
  • Demolition building permit fee not found.
  • Conflicting HPB meeting day: Historic Preservation page says last Wednesday of the month; Planning and Zoning page says fourth Wednesday.
  • Conflicting Building Division address and phone between the web page (501 W. Meadow St., 352-728-9700) and the 2025 asbestos form (204 N. 5th St., 352-728-9735). The Electric page lists 352-728-9750 for Building Department demolition permits.
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