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How to Verify a Professional's License in Clearwater?

When you decide to embark on a project, you should make sure that any professionals you hire are duly licensed to carry out the project. Clearwater professionals are regulated and licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The Department licenses over 1.4 million professionals across 30 different occupational fields in Clearwater, and across the state of Florida. If you want to verify that the professional you hire has been duly licensed by the Department, you can access the DPBR's licensee search portal online.

If the project you want to embark on has anything to do with the erection of new buildings, renovations, roofing, and other construction and home improvement-related projects, you will need to obtain a permit from the Clearwater Planning and Development Department. You can obtain a permit online through the ePermitting system provided by the department. You can also call the department at (727) 562-4567 if you are unsure about your permit requirements or have any other questions and inquiries regarding permits.

Do Clearwater Neighborhood Councils
Issue Permits?

No, Clearwater neighborhood and community-based organizations do not issue building-related permits. These organizations are primarily focused on championing programs and initiatives that would improve the lives of the city's residents and promote growth in their neighborhoods. In May 2021, the Clearwater city council announced that it would be postponing the groundbreaking event for Imagine Clearwater, which had been in planning for over 10 years. Citing a failure to get accurate estimates for the project amidst the rising cost of important raw materials, the city's Mayor stressed that the project was still considered vital and will be initiated once final estimates are received. In the same month, the city council considered two different proposals to build structures on the city's downtown waterfront. One proposal included the building of a 100-room hotel, a food hall, and a brewery as well as a 207-unit workforce housing complex. The second plan proposed the building of 220 units of housing and retail, a 175-room hotel, and 150 units of workforce housing.

How to File an Unfair Business
Complaint in Clearwater?

The Office of the Attorney General of Florida assists individuals that have been affected by deceptive practices or unfair business practices in Clearwater through a complaints service handled by its Consumer Protection Division. You can file complaints against a business or individual with the Division online using the citizen's complaint form provided for this purpose. If you are unable to file your complaint online, you can download a complaint form, complete it and send it alongside any supporting documents you might have to the Attorney General's office at

• Office of Attorney General
• State of Florida
• The Capitol PL-01
• Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

You should note that the complaint process offered by the Division is an informal mediation process and the Division does not have the authority to compel the business or individual to take any action in your favor. After your complaint is received, it is reviewed to determine if there has been a violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Consumer Protection Division cannot provide private legal advice to you or represent you individually in a lawsuit against the business or professional named in your complaint. However, if there is evidence that the business has been consistently engaging in illegal or deceptive practices, a civil suit may be instituted in the public interest. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of the complaint process, you can proceed to a Pinellas County Court to file a small claims suit against the business or individual. However, note that the Pinellas County Court's small claims division can only handle cases with a maximum value of $8,000.