Building Permits
WHAT FIRE CODES ARE USED FOR PLANS, PERMITS, AND INSPECTION PURPOSES WHEN SUBMITTING TO THE CITY OF AUBURNDALE?
• The State of Florida and the City of Auburndale adopted the 8th edition of the Florida
Fire Prevention Code on December 31, 2023. This new edition includes Florida Specific
NFPA 1 and 101. Please cite and utilize the new code.
• All applications submitted on or before December 30, 2023, will be reviewed using the
7th edition (2020) codes.
• All applications submitted after December 30, 2023, will be reviewed using the following
codes:
– Florida Fire Prevention Code 8th edition
– NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (2021) with Florida Amendments
– NFPA 1 Uniform Code (2021) with Florida Amendments
WHAT KIND OF WORK REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT AND WHAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT?
Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code states that a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing, system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes.
Work that requires an inspection to verify compliance with the applicable technical code requires a construction permit.
Separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits may be required even if a building permit is not required. Following are examples of work that does and does not require a permit. These examples are not all inclusive, and there will be situations that are not addressed here. If you have a question as to permit requirements, call our office at 863-965-5530.
Work Requiring a Construction Permit:
- Construction or demolition of any building, regardless of size.
- All new construction, including additions, and any alterations, renovations or remodels involving structural elements or involving any electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems.
- Alterations, renovations, remodels or modifications to any commercial structure affecting occupancy classification, means of egress, fire resistance ratings or handicap accessibility.
- The installation, alteration, replacement, extension, or repair of any irrigation, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work, or solar system using potable water or with any associated electrical work. Including the change out of A/C equipment, electrical service changes, or the addition of electrical outlets or circuits. Excluding minor service, repair, fixture and appliance replacement.
- Conversion of any non habitable space to habitable space including the enclosure of garages, carports, porches or similar structures, and the replacement of screening or vinyl windows with glass or solid walls.
- Although bona fide non residential agricultural structures are not required to comply with the building codes, a “farm building permit” is required for land use and fire code enforcement.
- All foundation remediation work.
- Any change in occupancy as defined by the building code.
- Docks, piers, sea walls and bulk heads.
- All fences including all masonry walls and fences with masonry pilasters.
- Retaining walls required for structural support or protection.
- All concrete slabs on grade greater than 100 square feet in area, and within 10 feet of the home or principal structure, or intended as a slab for construction. Excluding sidewalks and portions of driveways not in the right of way. All elevated concrete slabs. All surface constructed uses such as patios, decks, driveways, sidewalks etc. must meet setback requirements.
- Tents for public assembly or use, or having electrical service.
- Additions or accessory structures to mobile homes or park trailers.
- Mobile home and park trailer set ups. Owners of a park trailer situated on a rented lot will not be able to permit either additions or set ups as owner builders.
- In ground swimming pools and spas. Above ground swimming pools and spas more than 24” deep.
- Pool/spa repairs, renovations and remodels involving structural elements, electrical work or additional equipment.
- All re-roofing, including mobile home and park trailer site built additions but not including the coach itself.
- Decks, walkways, platforms, stairs and landings. All decks and platforms must meet setbacks.
- Portable carports with rigid roofs.
- Replacement of doors and windows including garage doors.
- Sheds greater than 48 sq. ft. in floor area or more than 6 feet high or that contain electric or plumbing.
- Plumbing re-pipes.
- Flagpoles greater than 35 feet in height.
- Installation or replacement of security bars on doors and windows.
Work Not Requiring a Construction Permit:
- Soffit and fascia replacement, and installation of cosmetic siding and stucco.
- Installation or replacement of screening or vinyl windows with like in an existing structures. Replacement of vinyl windows with glass or solid walls requires a permit.
- Interior remodels, renovations, or repairs on mobile homes, park trailers or RVs.
- Minor roof repairs less than 25 sq. ft.
- Retaining walls, for landscaping purposes only, not exceeding four feet high.
- Minor electrical, plumbing, mechanical repairs and service which does not alter the existing system.
- Handicap ramps for one or two family residences do not require a permit, but must meet setbacks.
HOW LONG IS A PERMIT VALID AND HOW CAN THEY BE EXTENDED OR RENEWED?
Short Answer: A building permit expires 6 months after date of issue or date of last approved inspection, whichever is most recent.
Section 105.4 of the building code states that work must start within six months of permit issue and the job must have received an approved inspection in the last 180 days for the permit to remain valid.
A Permit may be extended for up to 180 days by requesting an extension prior to the expiration date. The request must be in writing and give justifiable cause.
Permits which have been expired for 90 days or less can be renewed by requesting renewal, in writing, and giving justifiable cause. An extension fee as provided for in the City user fee manual will be charged.
Permits which have been expired for 91 to 180 days can be renewed by requesting renewal, in writing, and giving justifiable cause. All applicable construction permit fees, as paid at original permit issue, will be charged. This is to include building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, driveway, irrigation and mobile home set up permit fees.
Permits expired for over 180 days can not be renewed. A new permit application, payment of all permit fees and compliance with all current codes and regulations will be required.
A backlog of expired permits may result in suspension of permitting privileges until they have been re-opened and final inspections have been approved.
AS A LICENSED CONTRACTOR HOW DO I REGISTER WITH THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO PULL PERMITS?
A State Certified contractor needs to provide copies of his state license, his Business Tax Receipt from the jurisdiction of his office, Liability Insurance in the amount required by law with the City of Auburndale listed as a certificate holder, Workers comp insurance in the amount required by law with the City of Auburndale listed as certificate holder, or Workers Comp Exemption.
A State Registered contractor will need to provide the same documents as above plus they need to provide a $5000.00 bond and a copy of their Municipal Board of Examiner’s card and $15.00 registration fee.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT?
Once the application is filled out and the appropriate drawings are submitted the Building Official reviews the applications in the order in which they come in. Depending on the number of applications in the office it may take up to one week to get the application approved and the permit issued.
DO I HAVE TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR OR CAN I DO THE WORK MYSELF?
The state requires that all work must be done by a licensed contractor, however there is an exemption from the law that says a homeowner living in the house may act as his own contractor if the residence is for his own use and not for sale or lease.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO REPLACE A WATER HEATER?
If the water heater is not being relocated and the heat source is not being changed a permit is not required.
WHY DO I NEED A PERMIT?
A permit is needed to ensure your construction project is built right, will be safe and will last. Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with building and zoning codes, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without a permit and inspections.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO PUT UP A SMALL SHED?
Yes. A permit is required for any shed to ensure the shed is installed correctly and safely and that it meets building and zoning codes.
Business Tax Receipts
WHAT IS A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT?
A Business Tax Receipt is what used to be known as an Occupational License. The State of Florida renamed it to reduce confusion. Only the State may issue a license and the fees collected were a tax for Counties and Cities so it has been renamed a Business Tax Receipt.
DO I NEED A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT?
If you have a business that has a physical presence in the City of Auburndale you need a Business Tax Receipt from the City of Auburndale.
MY BUSINESS IS OUT OF MY HOME, DO I NEED A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT?
Yes, if your home is inside the city limits of Auburndale you need a Business Tax Receipt from the City of Auburndale.
HOW DO I GET A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT?
A Business Tax Receipt application is filled out and presented to the building department with the appropriate documents: a State License, if required; a fictitious name filing, if required; state sales tax number and a Polk County Business Tax Receipt. The application is reviewed by the Building Official and the Fire Marshall and a safety inspection is performed at the location before the Business Tax Receipt is issued. A safety inspection is not required for a home based business.
WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT (OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE?)
1. State License
Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
(850) 487-2252
www.Myfloridalicense.com
Please check with the DBPR if you will need a license for your profession. The DBPR will require a license for such businesses as: automobile repair/sales, cosmetology, food/lodging, real estate, etc.
2. Fictitious Name Filing
Department of State, Division of Corporations
(850) 488-9000
If you do not use your full name (first and last) in your business name, the State of Florida requires you to file.
3. Sale Tax Number
Department of Revenue
(863) 499-2260
230 S. Florida Avenue #401
Lakeland, FL
4. Polk County Business Tax Receipt
Polk County Tax Collector
(863) 534-4731
Bartow
430 E. Main Street
OR
Lakeland
930 East Parker Street, Suite 261
