Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five additional bills into law on Wednesday, including legislation that changes building permit requirements for certain residential construction projects across the state.
The measure, CS/CS/HB 803, titled Building Permits and Inspections, includes provisions related to permitting, inspections, emergency response, and off-site residential construction. The bill received unanimous approval in both chambers of the Florida Legislature and is scheduled to take effect July 1.
Permit Exemptions for Small Residential Projects
One of the bill’s most notable provisions exempts certain small residential projects from local permitting requirements. Under the new law, local governments that issue building permits must exempt owners of single-family dwellings, or their contractors, from obtaining a building permit for work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner’s property.
According to the bill text, local governments may also not inspect work covered by the exemption. However, the legislation specifies that projects cannot be divided into smaller portions to avoid permitting thresholds.
The law still allows local governments to require permits for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, regardless of the project’s appraised value.
Emergency Response and Inspection Provisions
The legislation also includes temporary workforce flexibility following emergencies. Certain out-of-state licensed building officials will be allowed to work in Florida for up to one year after a declared state of emergency.
In addition, the bill requires the Florida Department of Management Services to establish and maintain state term contracts for building code inspection services.
The measure further states that certain individuals who perform work without applicable permits or inspections are not subject to disciplinary action if otherwise authorized by law.
Regulations for Manufactured and Offsite Housing
The legislation includes several provisions related to residential manufactured buildings and offsite-constructed housing.
Under the law, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation may not deny building permits for certain residential manufactured buildings.
Additionally, local governments may not adopt or enforce zoning, land use, or development regulations that treat offsite-constructed residential dwellings differently or more restrictively than comparable dwellings within the same zoning district.
The bill also requires local governments to exempt certain owners and contractors from permit requirements for temporary residential hurricane- and flood-protection walls or barriers that meet specified standards.
Another provision establishes timelines for local governments to make decisions related to certain building permits.
The News Service of Florida contributed to reporting on the legislation. Gov. DeSantis has now signed more than 60 bills into law this year, according to the report.
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