Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 By Senator DiCeglie 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 1 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled 1

An act relating to private provider building 2 inspection services; amending s. 468.605, F.S.; 3 requiring that the Florida Building Code 4 Administrators and Inspectors Board include a 5 specified number of members who are private providers 6 or who are employed by private provider firms; making 7 technical changes; amending s. 553.74, F.S.; requiring 8 that the Florida Building Commission include a 9 specified number of members who are private providers 10 or who are employed by private provider firms; 11 requiring that the commission include a specified 12 number of members who are licensed contractors that 13 use private providers or private provider firms; 14 encouraging the Private Provider Association of 15 Florida to recommend a list of candidates for 16 consideration; amending s. 553.791, F.S.; revising and 17 defining terms; requiring that building code 18 inspection services provided by a private provider be 19 the subject of an agreement, rather than a written 20 contract, between the provider or provider’s firm and 21 the fee owner or fee owner’s contractor; requiring 22 that the reduced permit fee not exceed the cost 23 incurred by the local jurisdiction, including labor 24 and personnel costs; prohibiting a local jurisdiction 25 from charging additional fees for building inspections 26 if the fee owner or contractor hires a private 27 provider to perform such services; deleting a 28 provision authorizing a local jurisdiction to charge 29

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 2 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. specified administrative fees; requiring a local 30 jurisdiction to immediately provide a private 31 provider, owner, and contractor equal access to all 32 permitting and inspection documents and reports if 33 such access is provided by software that protects 34 exempt records from disclosure; revising the 35 information a fee owner or a fee owner’s contractor 36 must provide to a local building official; revising 37 conditions under which a fee owner or fee owner’s 38 contractor is authorized to use a private provider to 39 provide inspection services; revising the timeframe 40 within which a fee owner or a fee owner’s contractor 41 must notify the local building official of the owner’s 42 or contractor’s intention to use a private provider; 43 prohibiting a local building official from performing 44 specified reviews of plans, drawings, or other related 45 documents determined by a private provider to be in 46 compliance with applicable codes; deleting a provision 47 requiring a local building official to issue a 48 requested permit or provide a specified notice within 49 a certain timeframe; authorizing a local building 50 official to review certain forms and documents only 51 for completeness; requiring a local building official 52 to send written notice of incomplete forms or 53 documents within a specified timeframe; providing that 54 a permit is deemed approved as a matter of law, and 55 requiring the local building official to issue the 56 permit by the next business day, if the local building 57 official fails to provide a specified notice within a 58

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 3 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. specified timeframe; requiring that a duly authorized 59 representative be managed, rather than employed, by a 60 private provider to receive specified benefits; 61 deleting a requirement that a private provider 62 performing required inspections provide notice to the 63 local building official of the approximate date and 64 time of specified inspections; deleting a provision 65 prohibiting a local building official from preventing 66 a private provider from performing any inspection 67 outside a certain timeframe; deleting a provision 68 authorizing a local building official to visit a 69 building site as often as necessary to verify that a 70 private provider is performing required inspections; 71 deleting a provision authorizing a building department 72 to satisfy a requirement that a certain deficiency 73 notice be posted; revising the reinspection fees that 74 a local jurisdiction is prohibited from charging; 75 prohibiting a local building official from visiting a 76 job site without written approval from the private 77 provider doing the work on the site; providing that a 78 local building official is not responsible for the 79 regulatory administration or supervision of building 80 code inspection services performed by a private 81 provider; requiring that a private provider who is, or 82 private provider firm that employs a person licensed 83 as, a licensed building code administrator serve as 84 the local building official for such building code 85 inspection services; providing that such private 86 providers or private provider firms are vested with 87

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 4 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. the authority of the local building official with 88 respect to certain inspection services; prohibiting a 89 local building official from interfering with the 90 actions or activities of such private providers or 91 private provider firms; providing that verification of 92 certain licensure and insurance requirements for a 93 private provider firm’s duly authorized representative 94 is the responsibility of the private provider firm’s 95 management; providing that a local building official 96 is not required to verify compliance or store 97 information of such verification; deleting a 98 requirement that the local building official, under 99 certain circumstances, issue a permit within a 100 specified timeframe; revising a provision authorizing 101 a private provider to perform emergency inspection 102 services; requiring a private provider to record 103 specified inspections on forms provided by the Florida 104 Building Commission, rather than on forms acceptable 105 to the local building official; revising the timeframe 106 within which a private provider must provide an 107 inspection record to the local building official; 108 providing that a private provider is not required to 109 upload notices or inspection results to a website or 110 portal; revising the timeframe within which a local 111 building official may waive the requirement to provide 112 a record of each inspection record; requiring a 113 private provider to prepare a certificate of 114 compliance on a form provided by the commission, 115 rather than on a form acceptable to the local building 116

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 5 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. official; prohibiting a local building official from 117 performing building inspections of construction that a 118 private provider has determined to be compliant with 119 applicable codes; authorizing a local building 120 official to review specified forms and documents only 121 for completeness; revising the timeframe within which 122 a local building official must provide an applicant 123 with a written certificate of occupancy or certificate 124 of completion; authorizing a local building official 125 to deny a permit or a request for a certificate of 126 occupancy or a certificate of completion if required 127 forms or documents are incomplete; deleting a 128 provision authorizing a local enforcement agency, a 129 local building official, or a local government to 130 establish a system of registration to verify 131 compliance with specified licensure and insurance 132 requirements for duly authorized representatives; 133 revising the authority of a local building official to 134 issue a stop-work order for a building project or any 135 portion thereof; revising a prohibition against the 136 auditing by a local building code enforcement agency 137 of the performance of building code inspection 138 services by certain private providers; deleting an 139 exception to the limit on the number of times in a 140 year that a private provider or private provider firm 141 may be audited; requiring that a private provider or 142 private provider firm be given notice within a 143 specified timeframe before being audited; prohibiting 144 local governments, officials, and personnel from 145

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 6 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. prohibiting or discouraging the use of a private 146 provider or a private provider firm; providing that 147 local governments, officials, and personnel are not 148 immune from liability for such prohibition or 149 discouragement or for violations of law or applicable 150 codes; providing that a person or a party may bring an 151 action for damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, 152 and the issuance of extraordinary writs remedies for 153 such violations; authorizing a private provider 154 licensed as a building code administrator to serve as 155 the local building official; authorizing such private 156 providers to issue building permits; requiring that 157 all information from a private provider be provided to 158 the property appraiser for the county or the 159 jurisdiction; requiring that drawings be delivered in 160 their original electronic format; requiring that 161 permits be publicly available and that their status be 162 available on the Private Provider Association of 163 Florida website for specified purposes; authorizing 164 the Private Provider Association of Florida, or a 165 similar nonprofit association, to require a fee or 166 subscription to upload such information to its website 167 or to use an applications programming interface; 168 requiring a private provider to update such 169 information within a specified timeframe under certain 170 circumstances; requiring that the format of private 171 provider permits meet a specified standard and include 172 specified information; providing legislative intent; 173 requiring that the permitting process be universally 174

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 7 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. adopted as a standard for this state; prohibiting 175 local building officials and governments from 176 adopting, creating, or using certain forms; 177 prohibiting the use of custom procedures or standards; 178 authorizing the commission to implement such 179 permitting processes and review them for consistency 180 and relevance within a specified timeframe; making a 181 technical change; reenacting s. 633.216(6), F.S., 182 relating to inspection of buildings and equipment, 183 orders, firesafety inspection training requirements, 184 certification, and disciplinary action, to incorporate 185 the amendment made to s. 468.605, F.S., in a reference 186 thereto; reenacting ss. 177.073(1)(c), 468.603(9), 187 468.621(1)(

i) and (j), 471.033(1)(l), 481.225(1)(l), 188 553.79(11), and 553.80(7)(a), F.S., relating to 189 expedited approval of residential building permits 190 before a final plat is recorded;

definitions; 191 disciplinary proceedings against building code 192 administrators and inspectors; disciplinary 193 proceedings against licensed engineers; disciplinary 194 proceedings against registered architects; permits, 195 applications, issuance, and inspections; and 196 enforcement, respectively, to incorporate the 197 amendment made to s. 553.791, F.S., in references 198 thereto; providing an effective date. 199 200 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 201 202

Section 1. Subsection (2) of

section 468.605, Florida 203

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 8 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Statutes, is amended to read: 204 468.605 Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors 205 Board.— 206

(2) The board shall consist of nine members, as follows: 207 (

a) One member who is an architect licensed pursuant to 208

chapter 481, an engineer licensed pursuant to

chapter 471, or a 209 contractor licensed pursuant to

chapter 489. 210 (

b) Two members serving as building code administrators, 211 one of whom must be a private provider as defined in s. 553.791 212 or be employed by a private provider firm as defined in s. 213 553.791. 214 (

c) Two members serving as building code inspectors, one of 215 whom must be a private provider as defined in s. 553.791 or be 216 employed by a private provider firm as defined in s. 553.791. 217 (

d) One member serving as a plans examiner. 218 (

e) One member who is a representative of a city or a 219 charter county. 220 (

f) Two consumer members who are not, and have never been, 221 members of a profession regulated under this part,

chapter 481, 222

chapter 471, or

chapter 489. One of the consumer members must be 223 a person with a disability or a representative of an 224 organization which represents persons with disabilities. 225 226 None of The board members described in paragraph (

a) or 227 paragraph (

f) may not be an employee of a municipal, county, or 228 state governmental agency. 229

Section 2. Subsection (1) of

section 553.74, Florida 230 Statutes, is amended to read: 231 553.74 Florida Building Commission.— 232

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 9 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

(1) The Florida Building Commission is created and located 233 within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation 234 for administrative purposes. Members are appointed by the 235 Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate. The commission 236 is composed of 23 19 members, consisting of the following 237 members: 238 (

a) One architect licensed pursuant to

chapter 481 with at 239 least 5 years of experience in the design and construction of 240 buildings designated for Group E or Group I occupancies by the 241 Florida Building Code. The American Institute of Architects, 242 Florida Section, is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates 243 for consideration. 244 (

b) One structural engineer registered to practice in this 245 state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 246 Engineering Society is encouraged to recommend a list of 247 candidates for consideration. 248 (

c) One air-conditioning contractor, mechanical contractor, 249 or mechanical engineer certified to do business in this state 250 and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida Air 251 Conditioning Contractors Association, the Florida Refrigeration 252 and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, the Mechanical 253 Contractors Association of Florida, and the Florida Engineering 254 Society are encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for 255 consideration. 256 (

d) One electrical contractor or electrical engineer 257 certified to do business in this state and actively engaged in 258 the profession. The Florida Association of Electrical 259 Contractors; the National Electrical Contractors Association, 260 Florida Chapter; and the Florida Engineering Society are 261

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 10 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 262 (

e) One certified general contractor or one certified 263 building contractor certified to do business in this state and 264 actively engaged in the profession. The Associated Builders and 265 Contractors of Florida, the Florida Associated General 266 Contractors Council, the Florida Home Builders Association, and 267 the Union Contractors Association are encouraged to recommend a 268 list of candidates for consideration. 269 (

f) One plumbing contractor licensed to do business in this 270 state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 271 Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors is 272 encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 273 (

g) One roofing or sheet metal contractor certified to do 274 business in this state and actively engaged in the profession. 275 The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal, and Air Conditioning 276 Contractors Association and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning 277 Contractors’ National Association are encouraged to recommend a 278 list of candidates for consideration. 279 (

h) One certified residential contractor licensed to do 280 business in this state and actively engaged in the profession. 281 The Florida Home Builders Association is encouraged to recommend 282 a list of candidates for consideration. 283 (

i) Three members who are municipal, county, or district 284 codes enforcement officials, one of whom is also a fire 285 official. The Building Officials Association of Florida and the 286 Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association are encouraged 287 to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 288 (

j) One member of a Florida-based organization of persons 289 with disabilities or a nationally chartered organization of 290

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 11 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. persons with disabilities with chapters in this state which 291 complies with or is certified to be compliant with the 292 requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as 293 amended. 294 (

k) One member of the manufactured buildings industry who 295 is licensed to do business in this state and is actively engaged 296 in the industry. The Florida Manufactured Housing Association is 297 encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 298 (

l) One member of the building products manufacturing 299 industry who is authorized to do business in this state and is 300 actively engaged in the industry. The Florida Building Material 301 Association, the Florida Concrete and Products Association, and 302 the Fenestration Manufacturers Association are encouraged to 303 recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 304 (

m) One member who is a representative of the building 305 owners and managers industry who is actively engaged in 306 commercial building ownership or management. The Building Owners 307 and Managers Association is encouraged to recommend a list of 308 candidates for consideration. 309 (

n) One member who is a representative of the insurance 310 industry. The Florida Insurance Council is encouraged to 311 recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 312 (

o) One member who is a swimming pool contractor licensed 313 to do business in this state and actively engaged in the 314 profession. The Florida Swimming Pool Association and the United 315 Pool and Spa Association are encouraged to recommend a list of 316 candidates for consideration. 317 (

p) The Chief Resilience Officer or his or her designee. 318 (

q) One member who is a representative of a natural gas 319

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 12 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. distribution system and who is actively engaged in the 320 distribution of natural gas in this state. The Florida Natural 321 Gas Association is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates 322 for consideration. 323 (

r) Two members who are private providers as defined in s. 324 553.791 or who are employed by private provider firms as defined 325 in s. 553.791. The Private Provider Association of Florida is 326 encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 327 (

s) Two members who are licensed contractors as defined in 328 s. 489.105(3) and who utilize private providers as defined in s. 329 553.791 or private provider firms as defined in s. 553.791 for 330 inspections or plan reviews. The Private Provider Association of 331 Florida is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for 332 consideration. 333

Section 3. New subsections (21) and (22) are added to 334

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, and subsections (1), (2), 335 (4), (5), (7) through (10), present subparagraphs (11) through 336 (15), paragraphs (

b) and (

c) of present subsection (17), and 337 present subsections (20), (21), and (22) of that

section are 338 amended, to read: 339 553.791 Alternative plans review and inspection.— 340

(1) As used in this section, the term: 341 (a) “Applicable codes” means the Florida Building Code and 342 any local technical amendments to the Florida Building Code but 343 does not include the applicable minimum fire prevention and 344 firesafety codes adopted pursuant to

chapter 633. 345 (b) “Audit” means the process to confirm that the building 346 code inspection services have been performed by the private 347 provider, including ensuring that the required affidavit for the 348

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 13 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. plan review has been properly completed and submitted with the 349 permit documents and that the minimum mandatory inspections 350 required under the building code have been performed and 351 properly recorded.

The local building official may not replicate 352 the plan review or inspection being performed by the private 353 provider, unless expressly authorized by this section. 354 (c) “Building” means any construction, erection, 355 alteration, demolition, or improvement of, or addition to, any 356 structure or site work for which permitting by a local 357 enforcement agency is required. 358 (c)(d) “Building code inspection services” means those 359 services described in s. 468.603(5) and (8) involving the review 360 of building plans as well as those services involving the review 361 of site plans and site work engineering plans or their 362 functional equivalent, to determine compliance with applicable 363 codes and those inspections required by law, conducted either in 364 person or virtually, of each phase of construction for which 365 permitting by a local enforcement agency is required to 366 determine compliance with applicable codes. 367 (d) “Building official” means a local building official or 368 a private provider who holds a building code administrator 369 license. 370 (e) “Commission” means the Florida Building Commission. 371 (f) “Deliver” or “delivery” means any method of delivery 372 used in conventional business or commercial practice, including 373 delivery by electronic transmissions such as e-mail or any other 374 form of electronic communication used to transmit information. 375 (g)(f) “Duly authorized representative” means an agent of 376 the private provider identified in the permit application who 377

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 14 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. reviews plans or performs inspections as provided by this 378

section and who is licensed as an engineer under

chapter 471 or 379 as an architect under

chapter 481 or who holds a standard or 380 provisional certificate under

part XII of

chapter 468. A duly 381 authorized representative who only holds a provisional 382 certificate under

part XII of

chapter 468 must be under the 383 direct supervision of a person licensed as a building code 384 administrator under

part XII of

chapter 468. 385 (h)(g) “Electronic signature” means any letters, 386 characters, or symbols manifested by electronic or similar means 387 which are executed or adopted by a party with an intent to 388 authenticate a writing or record. 389 (i)(h) “Electronic transmission” or “submitted 390 electronically” means any form or process of communication not 391 directly involving the physical transfer of paper or another 392 tangible medium which is suitable for the retention, retrieval, 393 and reproduction of information by the recipient and is 394 retrievable in paper form by the receipt through an automated 395 process. All notices provided for in this

section may be 396 transmitted electronically and shall have the same legal effect 397 as if physically posted or mailed. 398 (j)(i) “Electronically posted” means providing notices of 399 decisions, results, or records, including inspection records, 400 through the use of a website or other form of electronic 401 communication used to transmit or display information. 402 (k) “Form” means any document or record that has been 403 adopted by the commission. 404 (l)(j) “Immediate threat to public safety and welfare” 405 means a building code violation that, if allowed to persist, 406

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 15 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. constitutes an immediate hazard that could result in death, 407 serious bodily injury, or significant property damage.

This 408 paragraph does not limit the authority of the local building 409 official to issue a Notice of Corrective Action at any time 410 during the construction of a building project or any portion of 411 such project if the official determines that a condition of the 412 building or portion thereof may constitute a hazard when the 413 building is put into use following completion as long as the 414 condition cited is shown to be in violation of the building code 415 or approved plans. 416 (m)(k) “Local building official” means the individual 417 within the governing jurisdiction responsible for direct 418 regulatory administration or supervision of plans review, 419 enforcement, and inspection of any construction, erection, 420 alteration, demolition, or substantial improvement of, or 421 addition to, any structure for which permitting is required to 422 indicate compliance with applicable codes and includes any duly 423 authorized designee of such person. 424 (n) “Management” means the individuals or entities within a 425 private provider firm which are duly authorized to oversee, 426 direct, and make decisions on behalf of the firm in the conduct 427 of building inspection and building inspection-related services. 428 Such individuals or entities may include, but are not limited 429 to, the following: 430 1.

Executive officers who hold senior positions within the 431 firm, such as the president, chief executive officer, chief 432 operating officer, chief financial officer, or other designated 433 executive who is responsible for the overall strategic direction 434 and operational management of the firm. 435

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 16 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 2. Authorized representatives who have been officially 436 designated by the executive officers to act on behalf of the 437 private provider firm. An authorized representative must have 438 documented authorization to submit inspection reports, 439 correspond with regulatory authorities, and perform other 440 necessary duties as required by law or by contractual 441 obligation. 442 3.

Licensed professionals who hold the requisite 443 professional licenses and are employed by the private provider 444 firm to carry out building code inspection services. Licensed 445 professionals are authorized to prepare, review, and certify 446 documents related to their scope of work. 447 (o) “Notice” means the submission, including submission by 448 electronic transmission, of any document, form, report, or 449 correspondence by a private provider firm to a local building 450 official. All notice provided for in this

section shall have the 451 same legal effect as if physically posted or mailed. 452 (p)(l) “Permit application” means a properly completed and 453 submitted application for the requested building or construction 454 permit, including: 455 1. The plans reviewed by the private provider. 456 2. The affidavit from the private provider required under 457 subsection (6). 458 3. Any applicable fees. 459 4. Any documents required by the local building official to 460 determine that the fee owner has secured all other government 461 approvals required by law. 462 (q)(m) “Plans” means building plans, site engineering 463 plans, or site plans, or their functional equivalent, submitted 464

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 17 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. by a fee owner or fee owner’s contractor to a private provider 465 or duly authorized representative for review. 466 (r)(n) “Private provider” means a person licensed as a 467 building code administrator under

part XII of

chapter 468, as an 468 engineer under

chapter 471, or as an architect under

chapter 469 481. For purposes of performing inspections under this

section 470 for additions and alterations that are limited to 1,000 square 471 feet or less to residential buildings, the term “private 472 provider” also includes a person who holds a standard 473 certificate under

part XII of

chapter 468. 474 (s)(o) “Private provider firm” means a business 475 organization, including a corporation, partnership, business 476 trust, or other legal entity, which offers services under this 477

chapter to the public through licensees who are acting as 478 agents, employees, officers, or partners of the firm. A person 479 who is licensed as a building code administrator under

part XII 480 of

chapter 468, an engineer under

chapter 471, or an architect 481 under

chapter 481 may act as a private provider for an agent, 482 employee, or officer of the private provider firm. 483 (t)(p) “Request for certificate of occupancy or certificate 484 of completion” means a properly completed and executed 485 application for: 486 1. A certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. 487 2. A certificate of compliance from the private provider 488 required under subsection (13). 489 3. Any applicable fees. 490 4. Any documents required by the local building official to 491 determine that the fee owner has secured all other government 492 approvals required by law. 493

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 18 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. (u)(q) “Single-trade inspection” means any inspection 494 focused on a single construction trade, such as plumbing, 495 mechanical, or electrical.

The term includes, but is not limited 496 to, inspections of door or window replacements; fences and block 497 walls more than 6 feet high from the top of the wall to the 498 bottom of the footing; stucco or plastering; reroofing with no 499 structural alteration; HVAC replacements; ductwork or fan 500 replacements; alteration or installation of wiring, lighting, 501 and service panels; water heater changeouts; sink replacements; 502 and repiping. 503 (v)(r) “Site work” means the portion of a construction 504 project that is not part of the building structure, including, 505 but not limited to, grading, excavation, landscape irrigation, 506 and installation of driveways. 507 (w)(s) “Stop-work order” means the issuance of any written 508 statement, written directive, or written order which states the 509 reason for the order and the conditions under which the cited 510 work will be permitted to resume. 511 (x) “System of registration” means the system used to 512 verify compliance with the licensure and insurance requirements 513 for a private provider firm under this chapter. 514 (2)(

a) Notwithstanding any other law or local government 515 ordinance or local policy, the fee owner of a building or 516 structure, or the fee owner’s contractor upon written 517 authorization from the fee owner, may choose to use a private 518 provider to provide building code inspection services with 519 regard to such building or structure and may make payment 520 directly to the private provider for the provision of such 521 services. All such services shall be the subject of an agreement 522

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 19 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. a written contract between the private provider, or the private 523 provider’s firm, and the fee owner or the fee owner’s 524 contractor, upon written authorization of the fee owner. The fee 525 owner may elect to use a private provider to provide plans 526 review or required building inspections, or both.

However, if 527 the fee owner or the fee owner’s contractor uses a private 528 provider to provide plans review, the local building official, 529 in his or her discretion and pursuant to duly adopted policies 530 of the local enforcement agency, may require the fee owner or 531 the fee owner’s contractor to use a private provider to also 532 provide required building inspections. 533 (

b) If an owner or a contractor retains a private provider 534 for purposes of plans review or building inspection services, 535 the local jurisdiction must reduce the permit fee by the amount 536 of cost savings realized by the local enforcement agency for not 537 having to perform such services. Such reduction may be 538 calculated on a flat fee or percentage basis, or any other 539 reasonable means by which a local enforcement agency assesses 540 the cost for its plans review or inspection services.

The 541 reduced permit fee may not exceed the cost incurred by the local 542 jurisdiction, including the labor cost of the personnel 543 providing such services, as well as the clerical and supervisory 544 assistance required to comply with this section.

The local 545 jurisdiction may not charge any additional fees for building 546 inspections if the fee owner or contractor hires a private 547 provider to perform such services; however, the local 548 jurisdiction may charge a reasonable administrative fee, which 549 shall be based on the cost that is actually incurred, including 550 the labor cost of the personnel providing the service, by the 551

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 20 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. local jurisdiction or attributable to the local jurisdiction for 552 the clerical and supervisory assistance required, or both. 553 (

c) If an owner or a contractor retains a private provider 554 for purposes of plans review or building inspection services, 555 the local jurisdiction must immediately provide equal access to 556 all permitting and inspection documents and reports to the 557 private provider, owner, and contractor if such access is 558 provided by software that protects exempt records from 559 disclosure. 560

(4) A fee owner or the fee owner’s contractor using a 561 private provider to provide building code inspection services 562 shall notify the local building official in writing at the time 563 of permit application, or by 2 p.m. local time, 2 business days 564 before the first scheduled inspection by the local building 565 official or building code enforcement agency that a private 566 provider has been contracted to perform the required inspections 567 of construction under this section, including single-trade 568 inspections, on a form to be adopted by the commission. This 569 notice shall include the following information: 570 (

a) The services to be performed by the private provider. 571 (

b) The name, firm, address, telephone number, and e-mail 572 address of each private provider who is performing or will 573 perform such services, his or her professional license or 574 certification number, qualification statements or resumes, and, 575 if required by the local building official, a certificate of 576 insurance demonstrating that professional liability insurance 577 coverage is in place for the private provider’s firm, the 578 private provider, and any duly authorized representative in the 579 amounts required by this section. 580

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 21 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. (

c) An acknowledgment from the fee owner or the fee owner’s 581 contractor in substantially the following form: 582 583 I have elected to use one or more private providers to 584 provide building code plans review and/or inspection 585 services on the building or structure that is the 586 subject of the enclosed permit application, as 587 authorized by s. 553.791, Florida Statutes.

I 588 understand that the local building official may not 589 review the plans submitted or perform the required 590 building inspections to determine compliance with the 591 applicable codes, except to the extent specified in 592 said law. Instead, plans review and/or required 593 building inspections will be performed by licensed or 594 certified personnel identified in the application. The 595 law requires minimum insurance requirements for such 596 personnel, but I understand that I may require more 597 insurance to protect my interests.

By executing this 598 form, I acknowledge that I have made inquiry regarding 599 the competence of the licensed or certified personnel 600 and the level of their insurance and am satisfied that 601 my interests are adequately protected.

I agree to 602 indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the local 603 government, the local building official, and their 604 building code enforcement personnel from any and all 605 claims arising from my use of these licensed or 606 certified personnel to perform building code 607 inspection services with respect to the building or 608 structure that is the subject of the enclosed permit 609

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 22 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. application. 610 611 If the fee owner or the fee owner’s contractor makes any changes 612 to the listed private providers or the services to be provided 613 by those private providers, the fee owner or the fee owner’s 614 contractor shall, within 1 business day after any change or 615 within 2 business days before the next scheduled inspection, 616 update the notice to reflect such changes.

A change of a duly 617 authorized representative named in the permit application does 618 not require a revision of the permit, and the building code 619 enforcement agency shall not charge a fee for making the change. 620

(5) After construction has commenced and if the local 621 building official is unable to provide inspection services in a 622 timely manner, the fee owner or the fee owner’s contractor may 623 elect to use a private provider to provide inspection services 624 by notifying the local building official of the owner’s or 625 contractor’s intention to do so by 2 p.m. local time, 2 business 626 days before the next scheduled inspection using the notice 627 provided for in paragraphs (4)(a)-(c). 628 (7)(

a) The local building official may not perform reviews 629 of plans, construction drawings, or any other related documents 630 determined by a private provider to be compliant with the 631 applicable codes No more than 20 business days after receipt of 632 a permit application and the affidavit from the private provider 633 required pursuant to subsection (6), the local building official 634 shall issue the requested permit or provide a written notice to 635 the permit applicant identifying the specific plan features that 636 do not comply with the applicable codes, as well as the specific 637 code chapters and sections. If the local building official does 638

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 23 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. not provide a written notice of the plan deficiencies within the 639 prescribed 20-day period, the permit application shall be deemed 640 approved as a matter of law, and the permit shall be issued by 641 the local building official on the next business day. 642 (

b) The local building official may review other forms and 643 documents required under this

section for completeness only. The 644 local building official must provide written notice of any 645 incomplete forms or documents required under this

section no 646 later than 10 days after receipt of a permit application and an 647 affidavit from the private provider as required in subsection 648 (6). If the local building official does not provide the written 649 notice within the prescribed 10-day period, the permit shall be 650 deemed approved as a matter of law, and the local building 651 official must issue the permit on the next business day. 652 (

c) If the local building official provides a written 653 notice of any incomplete forms or documents required under this 654

section at the time of plan submission plan deficiencies to the 655 permit applicant within the prescribed 10-day 20-day period, the 656 10-day 20-day period shall be tolled pending resolution of the 657 matter. To resolve the issues raised in the notice plan 658 deficiencies, the permit applicant may elect to dispute the 659 issues deficiencies pursuant to subsection (15) or to submit 660 revisions to correct the issues deficiencies. 661 (d)(

c) If the permit applicant submits revisions, the local 662 building official has the remainder of the tolled 10-day 20-day 663 period plus 5 business days from the date of resubmittal to 664 issue the requested permit or to provide a second written notice 665 to the permit applicant stating which of the previously 666 identified forms or documents plan features remain incomplete in 667

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 24 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. noncompliance with the applicable codes, with specific reference 668 to the relevant code chapters and sections. Any subsequent 669 review by the local building official is limited to the issues 670 deficiencies cited in the original written notice. If the local 671 building official does not provide the second written notice 672 within the prescribed time period, the permit shall be deemed 673 approved as a matter of law, and the local building official 674 must issue the permit on the next business day. 675 (e)(

d) If the local building official provides a second 676 written notice of plan deficiencies to the permit applicant 677 within the prescribed time period, the permit applicant may 678 elect to dispute the issues raised in the second notice pursuant 679 to subsection (15) deficiencies pursuant to subsection (15) or 680 to submit additional revisions to correct the issues 681 deficiencies.

For all revisions submitted after the first 682 revision, the local building official has an additional 5 683 business days from the date of resubmittal to issue the 684 requested permit or to provide a written notice to the permit 685 applicant stating which of the previously identified forms or 686 documents plan features remain incomplete. in noncompliance If 687 the local building official does not provide the notice within 688 the prescribed time period, the permit shall be deemed approved 689 as a matter of law, and the local building official must issue 690 the permit on the next business day with the applicable codes, 691 with specific reference to the relevant code chapters and 692 sections. 693

(8) A private provider performing required inspections 694 under this

section shall inspect each phase of construction as 695 required by the applicable codes. Such inspection may be 696

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 25 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. performed in-person or virtually. The private provider may have 697 a duly authorized representative perform the required 698 inspections, provided all required reports are prepared by and 699 bear the written or electronic signature of the private provider 700 or the private provider’s duly authorized representative. The 701 duly authorized representative must be managed by an employee of 702 the private provider and be entitled to receive reemployment 703 assistance benefits under

chapter 443. The contractor’s 704 contractual or legal obligations are not relieved by any action 705 of the private provider. 706

(9) A private provider performing required inspections 707 under this

section shall provide notice to the local building 708 official of the approximate date and time of any such 709 inspection. The local building official may not prohibit the 710 private provider from performing any inspection outside the 711 local building official’s normal operating hours, including 712 after hours, weekends, or holidays. The local building official 713 may visit the building site as often as necessary to verify that 714 the private provider is performing all required inspections.

A 715 deficiency notice must be posted by the private provider, or the 716 duly authorized representative of the private provider, or the 717 building department whenever a noncomplying item related to the 718 building code or the permitted documents is found. Such notice 719 may be physically posted at the job site or electronically 720 posted. After corrections are made, the item must be reinspected 721 by the private provider or its representative before being 722 concealed.

Reinspection or reaudit fees shall not be charged by 723 The local jurisdiction may not charge any fees related to the 724 reinspection or any other administrative matter related to the 725

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 26 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. reinspection. The local building official may not visit the job 726 site without written approval from the private provider as a 727 result of the local jurisdiction’s audit inspection occurring 728 before the performance of the private provider’s inspection or 729 for any other administrative matter not involving the detection 730 of a violation of the building code or a permit requirement. 731

(10) A local building official is not responsible for the 732 regulatory administration or supervision of building code 733 inspection services performed by a private provider hired by a 734 fee owner or a fee owner’s contractor. A private provider who 735 is, or a private provider firm that employs a person licensed 736 as, a building code administrator under

part XII of

chapter 468, 737 shall serve as the local building official with respect to such 738 building code inspection services.

Such individuals and entities 739 shall be vested with the authority of a local building official 740 with respect to such services, including, without limitation, 741 the authority to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, 742 regulations, and codes; the authority to communicate and 743 interact directly with public or government building officials 744 and utility and other service providers; the authority to submit 745 forms and documents to such officials and entities and to 746 authorize the connection and disconnection of utility services; 747 and the authority to otherwise take all actions that permit or 748 require action or authorization of a building official under 749 applicable laws, rules, regulations, and codes.

The local 750 building official may not interfere with the actions or 751 activities of such individuals and entities in the performance 752 of such actions. Verification of licensure and insurance 753 requirements for a private provider firm’s duly authorized 754

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 27 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. representative is the responsibility of the private provider 755 firm’s management, and the local building official is not 756 required to verify compliance or store information related to 757 such verification. If the private provider is a person licensed 758 as an engineer under

chapter 471 or an architect under

chapter 759 481 and affixes his or her professional seal to the affidavit 760 required under subsection (6), the local building official must 761 issue the requested permit or provide a written notice to the 762 permit applicant identifying the specific plan features that do 763 not comply with the applicable codes, as well as the specific 764 code chapters and sections, within 10 business days after 765 receipt of the permit application and affidavit.

In such written 766 notice, the local building official must provide with 767 specificity the plan’s deficiencies, the reasons the permit 768 application failed, and the applicable codes being violated. If 769 the local building official does not provide specific written 770 notice to the permit applicant within the prescribed 10-day 771 period, the permit application is deemed approved as a matter of 772 law, and the local building official must issue the permit on 773 the next business day. 774

(11) If equipment replacements and repairs must be 775 performed in an emergency situation, subject to the emergency 776 permitting provisions of the Florida Building Code, a private 777 provider may perform emergency inspection services without first 778 notifying the local building official pursuant to subsection 779 (9). A private provider must conduct the inspection within 3 780 business days after being contacted to conduct an emergency 781 inspection and must submit the inspection report to the local 782 building official within 1 day after the inspection is 783

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 28 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. completed. 784

(12) Upon completing the required inspections at each 785 applicable phase of construction, the private provider shall 786 record such inspections on a form provided by the commission 787 acceptable to the local building official. The form must bear 788 the written or electronic signature of the private provider or 789 the private provider’s duly authorized representative. These 790 inspection records must shall reflect those inspections required 791 by the applicable codes of each phase of construction for which 792 permitting by a local enforcement agency is required.

The 793 private provider, upon completion of the required inspection, 794 shall post each completed inspection record, indicating pass or 795 fail, and provide the record to the local building official 796 within 4 2 business days. Such inspection record may be 797 electronically posted by the private provider, or the private 798 provider may post such inspection record physically at the 799 project site. The private provider may electronically transmit 800 the record to the local building official. The private provider 801 is not required to upload notices or inspection results to any 802 website or portal.

The local building official may waive the 803 requirement to provide a record of each inspection within 4 2 804 business days if the record is electronically posted or posted 805 at the project site and all such inspection records are 806 submitted with the certificate of compliance. Unless the records 807 have been electronically posted, records of all required and 808 completed inspections shall be maintained at the building site 809 at all times and made available for review by the local building 810 official.

The private provider shall report to the local 811 enforcement agency any condition that poses an immediate threat 812

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 29 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. to public safety and welfare. 813

(13) Upon completion of all required inspections, the 814 private provider shall prepare a certificate of compliance, on a 815 form provided by the commission acceptable to the local building 816 official, summarizing the inspections performed and including a 817 written representation, under oath, that the stated inspections 818 have been performed and that, to the best of the private 819 provider’s knowledge and belief, the building construction 820 inspected complies with the approved plans and applicable codes. 821 The statement required of the private provider shall be 822 substantially in the following form and shall be signed and 823 sealed by a private provider as established in subsection (1) or 824 may be electronically transmitted to the local building 825 official: 826 827 To the best of my knowledge and belief, the building 828 components and site improvements outlined herein and 829 inspected under my authority have been completed in 830 conformance with the approved plans and the applicable 831 codes. 832 833 (14)(

a) The local building official may not perform 834 building inspections of construction that a private provider has 835 determined to be compliant with the applicable codes. The local 836 building official may review forms and documents required under 837 this

section for completeness only. No more than 10 business 838 days, or if the permit is related to single-family or two-family 839 dwellings then no more than 2 business days, after receipt of a 840 request for a certificate of occupancy or certificate of 841

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 30 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. completion and the applicant’s presentation of a certificate of 842 compliance and approval of all other government approvals 843 required by law, including the payment of all outstanding fees, 844 the local building official shall issue the certificate of 845 occupancy or certificate of completion or provide a notice to 846 the applicant of any incomplete forms or documents required 847 under this

section identifying the specific deficiencies, as 848 well as the specific code chapters and sections. 849 (

b) If the local building official does not provide notice 850 of any incomplete forms or documents the deficiencies within the 851 applicable time periods under paragraph (a), the request for a 852 certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion is 853 automatically granted and deemed issued as of the next business 854 day. The local building official must provide the applicant with 855 the written certificate of occupancy or certificate of 856 completion within 2 10 days after it is automatically granted 857 and issued.

To resolve any identified issues deficiencies, the 858 applicant may elect to dispute the issues deficiencies pursuant 859 to subsection (15) or to submit a corrected request for a 860 certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. 861

(15) If the local building official determines that any 862 forms or documents required under this

section are incomplete 863 the building construction or plans do not comply with the 864 applicable codes, the official may deny the permit or request 865 for a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion, as 866 appropriate, or may issue a stop-work order for the project or 867 any portion thereof as provided by law, if the official 868 determines that the noncompliance poses an immediate threat to 869 public safety and welfare, subject to the following: 870

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 31 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. (

a) The local building official shall be available to meet 871 with the private provider within 2 business days to resolve any 872 dispute after issuing a stop-work order or providing notice to 873 the applicant denying a permit or request for a certificate of 874 occupancy or certificate of completion. 875 (

b) If the local building official and private provider are 876 unable to resolve the dispute, the matter shall be referred to 877 the local enforcement agency’s board of appeals, if one exists, 878 which shall consider the matter at its next scheduled meeting or 879 sooner. Any decisions by the local enforcement agency’s board of 880 appeals, or local building official if there is no board of 881 appeals, may be appealed to the commission as provided by this 882 chapter. 883 (

c) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, any 884 decisions regarding the issuance of a building permit, 885 certificate of occupancy, or certificate of completion may be 886 reviewed by the local enforcement agency’s board of appeals, if 887 one exists. Any decision by the local enforcement agency’s board 888 of appeals, or local building official if there is no board of 889 appeals, may be appealed to the commission as provided by this 890 chapter, which shall consider the matter at the commission’s 891 next scheduled meeting. 892 (17) 893 (

b) A local enforcement agency, local building official, or 894 local government may establish, for private providers and, 895 private provider firms, and duly authorized representatives 896 working within that jurisdiction, a system of registration to 897 verify compliance with the licensure requirements of paragraph 898 (1)(r) paragraph (1)(

n) and the insurance requirements of 899

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 32 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. subsection (18). 900 (

c) This

section does not limit the authority of the local 901 building official to issue a stop-work order for a building 902 project or any portion of the project, as provided by law, if 903 the official determines that a condition on the building site 904 constitutes an immediate threat to public safety and welfare, 905 provided such orders are in strict compliance with the 906 deficiency notice provisions of subsection (9). 907

(20) A local building code enforcement agency may not audit 908 the performance of building code inspection services by private 909 providers operating within the local jurisdiction until the 910 agency has created standard operating private provider audit 911 procedures for the agency’s internal inspection and review 912 staff, which includes, at a minimum, the private provider audit 913 purpose and scope, private provider audit criteria, an 914 explanation of private provider audit processes and objections, 915 and detailed findings of areas of noncompliance.

Such private 916 provider audit procedures must be publicly available online, and 917 a printed version must be readily accessible in agency 918 buildings. The private provider audit results of staff for the 919 prior two quarters also must be publicly available. The agency’s 920 audit processes must adhere to the agency’s posted standard 921 operating audit procedures.

The same private provider or private 922 provider firm may not be audited more than four times in a year. 923 The private provider or private provider firm must be given 924 notice of each audit to be performed within 5 business days 925 before the audit unless the local building official determines a 926 condition of a building constitutes an immediate threat to 927 public safety and welfare, which must be communicated in writing 928

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 33 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. to the private provider or private provider firm. Work on a 929 building or structure may proceed after inspection and approval 930 by a private provider. The work may not be delayed for 931 completion of an inspection audit by the local building code 932 enforcement agency. 933

(21) The local government, the local building official, and 934 their building code enforcement personnel shall be immune from 935 liability to any person or party for any action or inaction by a 936 fee owner of a building, or by a private provider or its duly 937 authorized representative, in connection with building code 938 inspection services as authorized in this act. The local 939 government, the local building official, and their building code 940 enforcement personnel may not prohibit or discourage the use of 941 a private provider or a private provider firm.

A local 942 government, a local building official, and their building code 943 enforcement personnel are not immune from liability or judicial 944 action related to violations of this

section or their 945 obligations under applicable codes, including, without 946 limitation, interference with, disparagement of, or failure to 947 recognize the authority vested in private providers. 948 Notwithstanding any other available remedies, any person or 949 party, in an individual capacity or on behalf of a class of 950 persons or parties, may bring and maintain actions for damages, 951 declaratory and injunctive relief, and the issuance of 952 extraordinary writs for violations of this subsection. 953

(22) A private provider licensed as a building code 954 administrator under

chapter 468 shall serve as the local 955 building official with respect to the building code inspection 956 services it has been hired to perform by the fee owner or the 957

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 34 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. owner’s contractor. Such private providers may issue building 958 permits. All information from the private provider, including, 959 but not limited to, building permits, inspection information, 960 and drawings, must be provided to the property appraiser for the 961 county or the jurisdiction. Drawings must be delivered in their 962 original electronic format.

Permits must be made publicly 963 available, and the status of the permits must be made available 964 on the Private Provider Association of Florida website so that 965 code enforcement and other agencies and private entities may see 966 their status. The Private Provider Association of Florida, or a 967 similar nonprofit association, may require a fee or subscription 968 to upload the information to its site or to use an applications 969 programming interface. The private provider shall update such 970 information within 2 business days after issuing a permit or a 971 status change. 972

(23) The format of the permit must meet a recognized and 973 approved standard, as prescribed by this section, for use by 974 private providers. Private provider permits must include space 975 for acknowledgement of review and acceptance of the following: 976 (

a) The application. 977 (

b) Licensing. 978 (

c) The notice of commencement. 979 (

d) The plan review. 980 (

e) Required inspections. 981 (

f) The following lists of inspections: 982 1. Building. 983 2. Electric. 984 3. Mechanical. 985 4. Plumbing. 986

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 35 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. (

g) Permitting inspection. 987 (

h) The placard card. 988 (

i) The blower door test. 989 (

j) The insulation certificate. 990 (

k) The termite treatment certificate. 991 (

l) The power release. 992 (

m) The certificate of occupancy or certificate of 993 completion. 994 (24)

(22) Notwithstanding any other law, a county, a 995 municipality, a school district, or an independent special 996 district may use a private provider or a private provider firm 997 to provide building code inspection services for a public works 998 project, an improvement, a building, or any other structure that 999 is owned by the county, municipality, school district, or 1000 independent special district. 1001 1002 It is the intent of the Legislature to provide permit applicants 1003 with a consistent and efficient user experience.

The permitting 1004 process must be universally adopted as a standard for this 1005 state. Local building officials and local governments may not 1006 adopt, create, or use any form that is inconsistent with any 1007 applicable law, rule, or form of this state. The use of custom 1008 procedures or standards is prohibited. The commission shall 1009 implement the permitting process and may review it once every 3 1010 years thereafter for consistency and relevance. 1011

Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1012 made by this act to

section 468.605, Florida Statutes, in a 1013 reference thereto, subsection (6) of

section 633.216, Florida 1014 Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1015

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 36 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 633.216 Inspection of buildings and equipment; orders; 1016 firesafety inspection training requirements; certification; 1017 disciplinary action.—The State Fire Marshal and her or his 1018 agents or persons authorized to enforce laws and rules of the 1019 State Fire Marshal shall, at any reasonable hour, when the State 1020 Fire Marshal has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of 1021 this

chapter or s. 509.215, or a rule adopted thereunder, or a 1022 minimum firesafety code adopted by the State Fire Marshal or a 1023 local authority, may exist, inspect any and all buildings and 1024 structures which are subject to the requirements of this

chapter 1025 or s. 509.215 and rules adopted thereunder. The authority to 1026 inspect shall extend to all equipment, vehicles, and chemicals 1027 which are located on or within the premises of any such building 1028 or structure. 1029

(6) The division and the Florida Building Code 1030 Administrators and Inspectors Board, established pursuant to s. 1031 468.605, shall enter into a reciprocity agreement to facilitate 1032 joint recognition of continuing education recertification hours 1033 for certificateholders licensed under s. 468.609 and firesafety 1034 inspectors certified under subsection (2). 1035

Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1036 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1037 reference thereto, paragraph (

c) of subsection (1) of

section 1038 177.073, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1039 177.073 Expedited approval of residential building permits 1040 before a final plat is recorded.— 1041

(1) As used in this section, the term: 1042 (c) “Local building official” has the same meaning as in s. 1043 553.791(1). 1044

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 37 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1045 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1046 reference thereto, subsection (9) of

section 468.603, Florida 1047 Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1048 468.603

Definitions.—As used in this part: 1049 (9) “Private provider” has the same meaning as in s. 1050 553.791(1). 1051

Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1052 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in 1053 references thereto, paragraphs (

i) and (

j) of subsection (1) of 1054

section 468.621, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read: 1055 468.621 Disciplinary proceedings.— 1056

(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 1057 disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken: 1058 (

i) Failing to lawfully execute the duties and 1059 responsibilities specified in this part and ss. 553.73, 553.781, 1060 553.79, and 553.791. 1061 (

j) Performing building code inspection services under s. 1062 553.791 without satisfying the insurance requirements of that 1063 section. 1064

Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1065 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1066 reference thereto, paragraph (

l) of subsection (1) of

section 1067 471.033, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1068 471.033 Disciplinary proceedings.— 1069

(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 1070 disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken: 1071 (

l) Performing building code inspection services under s. 1072 553.791, without satisfying the insurance requirements of that 1073

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 38 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. section. 1074

Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1075 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1076 reference thereto, paragraph (

l) of subsection (1) of

section 1077 481.225, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1078 481.225 Disciplinary proceedings against registered 1079 architects.— 1080

(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 1081 disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken: 1082 (

l) Performing building code inspection services under s. 1083 553.791, without satisfying the insurance requirements of that 1084 section. 1085

Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1086 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1087 reference thereto, subsection (11) of

section 553.79, Florida 1088 Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1089 553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.— 1090

(11) Any state agency whose enabling legislation authorizes 1091 it to enforce provisions of the Florida Building Code may enter 1092 into an agreement with any other unit of government to delegate 1093 its responsibility to enforce those provisions and may expend 1094 public funds for permit and inspection fees, which fees may be 1095 no greater than the fees charged others.

Inspection services 1096 that are not required to be performed by a state agency under a 1097 federal delegation of responsibility or by a state agency under 1098 the Florida Building Code must be performed under the 1099 alternative plans review and inspection process created in s. 1100 553.791 or by a local governmental entity having authority to 1101 enforce the Florida Building Code. 1102

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Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1103 made by this act to

section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1104 reference thereto, paragraph (

a) of subsection (7) of

section 1105 553.80, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1106 553.80 Enforcement.— 1107 (7)(

a) The governing bodies of local governments may 1108 provide a

schedule of reasonable fees, as authorized by s. 1109 125.56(2) or s. 166.222 and this section, for enforcing this 1110 part. These fees, and any fines or investment earnings related 1111 to the fees, may only be used for carrying out the local 1112 government’s responsibilities in enforcing the Florida Building 1113 Code. When providing a

schedule of reasonable fees, the total 1114 estimated annual revenue derived from fees, and the fines and 1115 investment earnings related to the fees, may not exceed the 1116 total estimated annual costs of allowable activities. Any 1117 unexpended balances must be carried forward to future years for 1118 allowable activities or must be refunded at the discretion of 1119 the local government. A local government may not carry forward 1120 an amount exceeding the average of its operating budget for 1121 enforcing the Florida Building Code for the previous 4 fiscal 1122 years.

For purposes of this subsection, the term “operating 1123 budget” does not include reserve amounts. Any amount exceeding 1124 this limit must be used as authorized in subparagraph 2. 1125 However, a local government that established, as of January 1, 1126 2019, a Building Inspections Fund Advisory Board consisting of 1127 five members from the construction stakeholder community and 1128 carries an unexpended balance in excess of the average of its 1129 operating budget for the previous 4 fiscal years may continue to 1130 carry such excess funds forward upon the recommendation of the 1131

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 40 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. advisory board. The basis for a fee structure for allowable 1132 activities must relate to the level of service provided by the 1133 local government and must include consideration for refunding 1134 fees due to reduced services based on services provided as 1135 prescribed by s. 553.791, but not provided by the local 1136 government. Fees charged must be consistently applied. 1137 1.

As used in this subsection, the phrase “enforcing the 1138 Florida Building Code” includes the direct costs and reasonable 1139 indirect costs associated with review of building plans, 1140 building inspections, reinspections, and building permit 1141 processing; building code enforcement; and fire inspections 1142 associated with new construction. The phrase may also include 1143 training costs associated with the enforcement of the Florida 1144 Building Code and enforcement action pertaining to unlicensed 1145 contractor activity to the extent not funded by other user fees. 1146 2.

A local government must use any excess funds that it is 1147 prohibited from carrying forward to rebate and reduce fees, to 1148 upgrade technology hardware and software systems to enhance 1149 service delivery, to pay for the construction of a building or 1150 structure that houses a local government’s building code 1151 enforcement agency, or for training programs for building 1152 officials, inspectors, or plans examiners associated with the 1153 enforcement of the Florida Building Code.

Excess funds used to 1154 construct such a building or structure must be designated for 1155 such purpose by the local government and may not be carried 1156 forward for more than 4 consecutive years. An owner or builder 1157 who has a valid building permit issued by a local government for 1158 a fee, or an association of owners or builders located in the 1159 state that has members with valid building permits issued by a 1160

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 41 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. local government for a fee, may bring a civil action against the 1161 local government that issued the permit for a fee to enforce 1162 this subparagraph. 1163 3. The following activities may not be funded with fees 1164 adopted for enforcing the Florida Building Code: 1165 a. Planning and zoning or other general government 1166 activities. 1167 b. Inspections of public buildings for a reduced fee or no 1168 fee. 1169 c.

Public information requests, community functions, 1170 boards, and any program not directly related to enforcement of 1171 the Florida Building Code. 1172 d. Enforcement and implementation of any other local 1173 ordinance, excluding validly adopted local amendments to the 1174 Florida Building Code and excluding any local ordinance directly 1175 related to enforcing the Florida Building Code as defined in 1176 subparagraph 1. 1177 4.

A local government must use recognized management, 1178 accounting, and oversight practices to ensure that fees, fines, 1179 and investment earnings generated under this subsection are 1180 maintained and allocated or used solely for the purposes 1181 described in subparagraph 1. 1182 5. The local enforcement agency, independent district, or 1183 special district may not require at any time, including at the 1184 time of application for a permit, the payment of any additional 1185 fees, charges, or expenses associated with: 1186 a. Providing proof of licensure under

chapter 489; 1187 b. Recording or filing a license issued under this chapter; 1188 c. Providing, recording, or filing evidence of workers’ 1189

Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1474 18-00247-25 20251474__ Page 42 of 42 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. compensation insurance coverage as required by

chapter 440; or 1190 d. Charging surcharges or other similar fees not directly 1191 related to enforcing the Florida Building Code. 1192

Section 12. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 1193