Rekey or Replace Door Locks After Moving In (Orlando, FL)

Updated 2026-10-20 · Sources verified 2026-07-20

Short answer: no permit needed. Exempt finish work under FBC 105.2 and Orange County's published list — but exempt work must still comply with the Florida Building Code. The full rule and its official source are below, with the code requirements and mistakes that trip up Orlando homeowners.

The permit answer

Orange County and the City of Orlando run separate permit offices with separate portals — and your mailing address alone doesn't tell you which one covers your home. Check which permit office covers your address →

Key facts before you start

• Moving in means the seller, the agent and every contractor may still hold a key. If the lock is a Kwikset SmartKey you can rekey it yourself with the current working key and the SmartKey tool that comes with the lock: door open, bolt in the locked position, insert the working key and turn it a quarter turn clockwise, push the SmartKey tool all the way in 'until it clicks', pull it out and remove the old key, insert the new key fully, turn it half a turn counter-clockwise and back, then remove it. The lock now works only with the new key (Kwikset support).
• The classic failure: 'The key must be fully seated during programming'. Kwikset says a cylinder that later won't turn was usually misprogrammed because the key wasn't fully inserted or was pulled or pushed while returning to home. Do it with the door OPEN so a mistake can't lock you out, and test with the door open too.
• Kwikset's own pages give the turns two ways (quarter/half turn vs 90°/180°): follow the sheet that came with your lock. Older SmartKey cylinders used a reset cradle; the SC1 keyway 'uses a different reset tool', so don't buy the wrong one.
• Replacing a deadbolt instead: measure the backset first. Schlage: 'If your door has a backset of 2 3/8", you will not need to make any further adjustments. If your backset measures 2 3/4", the bolt is easily adjusted by simply twisting the faceplate. You'll see and hear the bolt snap in to place.'
• The strike plate is where a kick-in wins or loses. Schlage's B-series deadbolt ships an 'integrated strike reinforcer with 3" screws to help protect against kick-in attacks', and its install manual calls for pilot holes '1/8" x 3" deep' so the long screws bite the wall framing, not just the jamb. If your existing strike is held by 3/4-inch screws, swapping in the long ones is the cheapest security upgrade on the door.
• Keep it to the lock: a new deadbolt in the existing holes is hardware. Cutting a new bore, changing the door, or any exterior door replacement is covered in the exterior door guide and can need a permit.

DIYrr builds a personalized plan from a photo and description — tools, materials with local prices, and permit guidance. Email it to yourself to keep it. Free for homeowners, no account needed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a rekey & replace door locks repair in Orange County, FL?

No permit needed. Exempt finish work under FBC 105.2 and Orange County's published list — but exempt work must still comply with the Florida Building Code.

Related repairs

• Exterior Door & Weatherstripping repair in Orlando, FL →
• Hurricane Shutters & Window Protection in Orlando, FL →
• Interior Door Adjustment repair in Orlando, FL →
• Sliding Glass Door repair in Orlando, FL →
• Window Blinds Install in Orlando, FL →
• Window Painted Shut repair in Orlando, FL →
• The rest of the first-week checklist →

Sources

https://www.kwikset.com/support/answers/how-to-re-key-your-smartkey-security-locks
https://www.kwikset.com/support/topics/re-keying-and-smartkey
https://www.kwikset.com/support/topics/re-key-basics
https://www.kwikset.com/smartkey-security
https://www.schlage.com/en/blog/product_updates/how-to-install-a-deadbolt-lock.html
https://www.schlage.com/en/home/products/B62FFF.html
https://www.schlage.com/content/dam/sch-us/documents/pdf/installation-manuals/schlage-control-smart-deadbolt-installtion-instructions-BE467F.pdf

This guide is general informational content, not professional or legal advice. Codes and county rules change — confirm permit requirements with your local building department, and use a licensed professional for electrical, gas, structural, or main-line plumbing work.

© 2026 Karhan Companies LLC · Orlando, FL · DIYrr app · All guides · Tips library · About · Contact · Privacy · Terms

Built by Karhan Construction & Remodeling, an owner-led repair and remodeling company in Orlando — DIYrr is free whether or not you ever hire us.