§ 6-133. Amendments to.

PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION

SECTION 100 PURPOSE

[A] 100.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish and adopt the non-technical and administrative requirements for all building codes enforced in the areas of the County in which Okaloosa County has building permitting jurisdiction.

[A] 100.1.1 This Chapter shall constitute and be known and cited as the Okaloosa County Administrative Construction Code ("ACC") hereinafter referred to as the "ACC".

SECTION 101. GENERAL

[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Florida Building Code, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

[A] 101.1.1 "Okaloosa County" shall mean the political subdivision of the State of Florida pursuant to Art. VIII, § 1(a), Fla. Const.

[A] 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures under the permitting jurisdiction of Okaloosa County.

Exceptions:

1.

Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with the Florida Building Code, Residential.

2.

Code requirements that address snow loads and earthquake protection are pervasive; they are left in place but shall not be utilized or enforced because Florida has no snow load or earthquake threat.

[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices are hereby adopted.

[A] 101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, public health and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment and to provide a reasonable level of safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

101.3.1 Quality control. Quality control of materials and workmanship is not within the purview of this code except as it relates to the purposes stated herein.

101.3.2 Permitting, Plan Review and Inspection. The permitting, plan review or inspection of any building, system or plan by the Okaloosa County jurisdiction, under the requirements of this code, shall not be construed in any court as a warranty of the physical condition of such building, system or plan or their adequacy. The Okaloosa County jurisdiction shall not be liable in tort for damages or hazardous or illegal condition or inadequacy in such building, system or plan, nor for any failure of any component of such, which may occur subsequent to such inspection or permitting. Further, no Okaloosa County Growth Management Department employee shall be liable in tort for damages from such conditions, in accordance with Section 768.28(9)(a), Florida Statutes, as may be amended.

[A] 101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.10 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.

[A] 101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories.

[A] 101.4.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Mechanical shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators and other energy-related systems.

[A] 101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Plumbing shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system.

[A] 101.4.4 Property maintenance. Reserved.

[A] 101.4.5 Fire prevention. For provisions related to fire prevention, refer to the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The Florida Fire Prevention Code shall apply to matters affecting or relating to structures, processes and premises from the hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and from the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression, and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation.

[A] 101.4.6 Energy. The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency.

[A] 101.4.7 Existing buildings. The provisions of the Florida Building Code, Existing Building shall apply to matters governing the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings.

101.4.8 Accessibility. For provisions related to accessibility, refer to the Florida Building Code, Accessibility.

101.4.9 Manufactured buildings. For additional administrative and special code requirements, see Section 458, Florida Building Code, Building, and Rule 61-41 F.A.C. For additional administrative and special code requirements, see section 428, Florida Building Code, Building, and Rule 9B-1 F.A.C.

101.4.10 Electrical. The provisions of Chapter 27 of the Florida Building Code, Building shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances thereto.

101.5 Floodprone areas. Where this Code conflicts with the requirements of Section 3.06.00, Flood Hazard Areas, of the Okaloosa County Land Development Code adopted pursuant to Okaloosa County Ordinance 91-01, as amended, pertaining to building and development in areas designated as being in the AE, AH, A1-A30, AR, AR/A, AR/AO, Coastal A, V1-V30, and VE on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps promulgated by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency in effect at the time of permit application, the more stringent standards, including but not limited to minimum building and structure elevations, floodproofing, etc., shall prevail. Under no circumstances will Okaloosa County grant a variance to the elevation or floodproofing requirements within any of the A or V zones.

SECTION 102 APPLICABILITY

[A] 102.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.

102.1.1 The Florida Building Code does not apply to, and no code enforcement action shall be brought with respect to, zoning requirements, land use requirements and owner specifications or programmatic requirements which do not pertain to and govern the design, construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair or demolition of public or private buildings, structures or facilities or to programmatic requirements that do not pertain to enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Additionally, a local code enforcement agency may not administer or enforce the Florida Building Code, Building to prevent the siting of any publicly owned facility, including, but not limited to, correctional facilities, juvenile justice facilities, or state universities, community colleges, or public education facilities, as provided by law.

102.2 Building. The provisions of the Florida Building Code shall apply to the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every public and private building, structure or facility or floating residential structure, or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings, structures or facilities. Additions, alterations, repairs and changes of use or occupancy group in all buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions provided in the Florida Building Code, Existing Building.

The following buildings, structures and facilities are exempt from the Florida Building Code as provided by law, and any further exemptions shall be as determined by the legislature and provided by law:

(a)

Building and structures specifically regulated and preempted by the federal government.

(b)

Railroads and ancillary facilities associated with the railroad.

(c)

Nonresidential farm buildings on farms.

(d)

Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes.

(e)

Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices, except that the provisions of Part II (Sections 553.501-553.513, Florida Statutes) relating to accessibility by persons with disabilities shall apply to such mobile or modular structures, and permits shall be required for structural support and tie down, electric supply, and all other such utility connections to such mobile or modular structures as required by Okaloosa County.

(f)

Those structures or facilities of electric utilities, as defined in Section 366.02, Florida Statutes, which are directly involved in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.

(g)

Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in commercial motion picture or television production, or any sound-recording equipment used in such production, on or off the premises.

(h)

Chickees constructed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

As used in this paragraph, the term "chickee" means an open-sided wooden hut that has a thatched roof of palm or palmetto or other traditional materials, and that does not incorporate any electrical, plumbing, or other nonwood features.

(i)

Family mausoleums not exceeding 250 square feet (23 m ) in area which are prefabricated and assembled on site or preassembled and delivered on site and have walls, roofs, and a floor constructed of granite, marble, or reinforced concrete.

(j)

Temporary housing provided by the Department of Corrections to any prisoner in the state correctional system.

(k)

A building or structure having less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) which is constructed and owned by a natural person for hunting and which is repaired or reconstructed to the same dimension and condition as existed on January 1, 2011, if the building or structure:

1.

Is not rented or leased or used as a principal residence;

2.

Is not located within the 100-year floodplain according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's current Flood Insurance Rate Map; and

3.

Is not connected to an off-site electric power or water supply.

(l)

Buildings or sheds accessory to a single-family dwelling used exclusively for storage purposes 200 square feet or less in floor area provided, however, that the necessary permits are obtained prior to the installation of any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems to the building.

(m)

Tree houses 200 square feet or less and not over 5 feet in height, provided, however, that the necessary permits are obtained prior to the installation of any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems to the building.

102.2.1 In addition to the requirements of Sections 553.79 and 553.80, Florida Statutes, facilities subject to the provisions of Chapter 395, Florida Statutes, and Part II of Chapter 400, Florida Statutes, shall have facility plans reviewed and construction surveyed by the state agency authorized to do so under the requirements of Chapter 395, Florida Statutes, and Part II of Chapter 400, Florida Statutes, and the certification requirements of the federal government.

102.2.2 Residential buildings or structures moved into or within a county or municipality shall not be required to be brought into compliance with the state minimum building code in force at the time the building or structure is moved, provided:

1.

The building or structure is structurally sound and in occupiable condition for its intended use;

2.

The occupancy use classification for the building or structure is not changed as a result of the move;

3.

The building is not substantially remodeled;

4.

Current fire code requirements for ingress and egress are met;

5.

Electrical, gas and plumbing systems meet the codes in force at the time of construction and are operational and safe for reconnection; and

6.

Foundation plans are sealed by a professional engineer or architect licensed to practice in this state, if required by the Florida Building Code, Building for all residential buildings or structures of the same occupancy class.

102.2.3 The building official shall apply the same standard to a moved residential building or structure as that applied to the remodeling of any comparable residential building or structure to determine whether the moved structure is substantially remodeled. The cost of the foundation on which the moved building or structure is placed shall not be included in the cost of remodeling for purposes of determining whether a moved building or structure has been substantially remodeled.

102.2.4 This section does not apply to the jurisdiction and authority of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect amusement rides or the Department of Financial Services to inspect state-owned buildings and boilers.

102.2.5 Each enforcement district shall be governed by a board, the composition of which shall be determined by the affected localities.

1.

At its own option, each enforcement district or local enforcement agency may adopt rules granting to the owner of a single-family residence one or more exemptions from the Florida Building Code relating to:

a.

Addition, alteration, or repairs performed by the property owner upon his or her own property, provided any addition or alteration shall not exceed 1,000 square feet (93 m ) or the square footage of the primary structure, whichever is less.

b.

Addition, alteration, or repairs by a nonowner within a specific cost limitation set by rule, provided the total cost shall not exceed $5,000 within any 12-month period.

c.

Building and inspection fees.

2.

However, the exemptions under subparagraph 1 do not apply to single-family residences that are located in mapped flood hazard areas, as defined in the code, unless the enforcement district or local enforcement agency has determined that the work, which is otherwise exempt, does not constitute a substantial improvement, including the repair of substantial damage, of such single-family residences.

3.

Each code exemption, as defined in sub-subparagraphs 1a, 1b, and 1c shall be certified to the local board 10 days prior to implementation and shall only be effective in the territorial jurisdiction of the enforcement district or local enforcement agency implementing it.

102.2.6 This section does not apply to swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling.

Exception: Electrical service to such playground equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 27 of this code.

102.2.7 Nothing herein shall prohibit a bona fide homeowner from contracting for the construction of his or her own residence. Such privilege does not convey the right to violate any of the provisions of this code, nor is it to be construed as exempting any such property owner from obtaining any requisite permits and paying required fees thereof.

[A] 102.3 Application of references. References to chapter or section numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such chapter, section or provision of this code.

[A] 102.4 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and as further regulated in Sections 102.4.1 and 102.4.2.

[A] 102.4.1 Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provisions of this code and referenced codes and standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.

[A] 102.4.2 Provisions in referenced codes and standards. Where the extent of the reference to a referenced code or standard includes subject matter that is within the scope of this code or the Florida Codes listed in Section 101.4, the provisions of this code or the Florida Codes listed in Section 101.4, as applicable, shall take precedence over the provisions in the referenced code or standard.

[A] 102.5 Partial invalidity. Reserved.

[A] 102.6 Existing structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, the Florida Building Code, Existing Building or the Florida Fire Prevention Code, or as is deemed necessary by the Building Official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.

[A] 102.6.1 Buildings not previously occupied. A building or portion of a building that has not been previously occupied or used for its intended purpose in accordance with the laws in existence at the time of its completion shall comply with the provisions of the Florida Building Code, Building or Florida Building Code, Residential, as applicable, for new construction or with any current permit for such occupancy.

[A] 102.6.2 Buildings previously occupied. The legal occupancy of any building existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as otherwise specifically provided in this code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code or as is deemed necessary by the building official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.

102.7 Relocation of manufactured buildings.

(1)

Relocation of an existing manufactured building does not constitute an alteration.

(2)

A relocated building shall comply with wind speed requirements of the new location, using the appropriate wind speed map. If the existing building was manufactured in compliance with the Standard Building Code (prior to March 1, 2002), the wind speed map of the Standard Building Code shall be applicable. If the existing building was manufactured in compliance with the Florida Building Code (after March 1, 2002), the wind speed map of the Florida Building Code shall be applicable.

(3)

A relocated building shall comply with the flood hazard area requirements of the new location, if applicable.

102.8 Existing mechanical equipment. An agency or local government may not require that existing mechanical equipment located on or above the surface of a roof be installed in compliance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code except during reroofing when the equipment is being replaced or moved and is not in compliance with the provisions of the Florida Building Code relating to roof-mounted mechanical units.

102.9 Rules of Construction. The rules set out in this section shall be observed, unless such construction is inconsistent with the manifest intent of this chapter. The rules of construction and definitions set out here shall not be applied to any section of this chapter which contains any express provisions excluding such construction, or where the subject matter or content of such section would be inconsistent with this section.

102.9.1 Generally. All provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this division shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the administration of the jurisdiction may be fully carried out. Terms used in this division, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall have the meanings prescribed by the statutes of this state for the same terms.

102.9.2 Text Controls. In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this code and any figure, the text shall control.

102.9.3 Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the Building Official or some other officer or employee to do some act or perform some duty, it is to be construed to authorize the Building Official or other officer to designate, delegate and authorize professional level subordinates to perform the required act or duty unless the terms of the provision or section specify otherwise.

102.9.4 Month . The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.

102.9.5 Shall, May. The word "shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive. The word "shall" takes precedence over "may."

102.9.6 Written or in writing. The term "written" or "in writing" shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures whether by printing or otherwise.

102.9.7 Year. The word "year" shall mean a calendar year, unless a fiscal year is indicated.

102.9.8 Interpretation. Interpretations of this chapter shall be made by the Okaloosa County Building Official.

102.9 Words Defined.

Abandon or abandonment.

(1)

Termination of a construction project by a contractor without just cause or proper notification to the owner including the reason for termination.

(2)

Failure of a contractor to perform work without just cause for ninety (90) days.

(3)

Failure to obtain an approved inspection within six (6) months from the previous approved inspection.

Appraised value. For the purpose of this section, appraised value is defined as either (1) one hundred and twenty (120) percent of the assessed value of the structure as indicated by the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's Office or (2) the value as indicated in a certified appraisal from a certified appraiser.

Assessed value. The value of real property and improvements thereon as established by the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser.

Authorized agent. A person specifically authorized by the holder of a certificate of competency to obtain permits in his stead.

Basic Wind Speed Line. The basic wind speed line for Okaloosa County shall be as established by the wind speed contour map attached to, and made part of, this chapter if applicable.

Board. The appropriate Okaloosa County Board of Construction Adjustment and Appeals, unless otherwise specifically stated.

Building shell. The structural components that completely enclose a building, including, but not limited to, the foundation, structural frame, floor slabs, exterior walls and roof system.

Building system. A functionally related group of elements, components and/or equipment, such as the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems of a building.

Certificate of occupancy (C.O.). An official document evidencing that a building satisfies the requirements of the jurisdiction for the occupancy of a building or the work described on the approved permit.

Certificate of Completion (C.C.). An official document evidencing that a building satisfies the requirements of the jurisdiction for the completion of a building.

Change of occupancy. A change from one Building Code occupancy classification or subclassification to another.

Commercial building. Any building, structure, improvement or accessory thereto, other than a one- or two-family dwelling.

Demolition. The act of razing, dismantling or removal of a building or structure, or portion thereof, to the ground level.

Division. The Building Division of the Growth Management Department.

Department. Okaloosa County Growth Management Department.

Examination. An exam prepared, proctored and graded by a recognized testing agency unless otherwise implied in context or specifically stated otherwise.

Imminent Danger. Structurally unsound conditions of a structure or portion thereof that is likely to cause physical injury to a person entering the structure: Or due to structurally unsound conditions, any portion of the structure is likely to fall, be carried by the wind, or otherwise detach or move, and in doing so cause physical injury or damage to a person on the property or to a person or property nearby; or the condition of the property is such that it harbors or is inhabited by pests, vermin, or organisms injurious to human health, the presence of which constitutes an immediate hazard to people in the vicinity.

Inspection warrant. A court order authorizing the official or his designee to perform an inspection of a particular property named in the warrant.

Intensification of use. An increase in capacity or number of units of a residential or commercial building.

Permit. An official document authorizing performance of a specific activity regulated by this chapter.

Permit card or placard. A document issued by the jurisdiction evidencing the issuance of a permit and recording of inspections.

Site Clearing. The physical clearing of the site in preparation for foundation work including, but not limited to, site clearing, excavation, dewatering, pilings and soil testing activities.

[PART] 2—ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

SECTION 103 ENFORCING AGENCY OKALOOSA COUNTY GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT BUILDING AND INSPECTIONS DIVISION

103.1 Establishment. The Building and Inspections Division of the Okaloosa County Growth Management Department, or its successor agency, is charged as the County agency with jurisdiction to enforce this code. The final authority in all matters of interpretation and enforcement of this code shall be the Okaloosa County Building Official. All code officials employed by the department shall be certified in accordance with Chapter 468, Part XII, Florida Statutes.

103.2 Restrictions on employees. An officer or employee connected with the department, except one whose only connection is as a member of the board established by this code, shall not be financially interested in the furnishing of labor, material, or appliances for the construction, alteration, or maintenance of a building, structure, service, system or in the making of plans or of specifications thereof, within the jurisdiction of the department, unless he is the owner of such which is inconsistent with his duties or conflict with the interest of the department. This would include the providing of building inspection, home inspection and plan review in the Okaloosa County jurisdictional area unless approved by the Building Official.

103.3 Records. The Building Official shall keep, or cause to be kept, a record of the business of the department. The records of the department shall be open to public inspection, upon request.

103.4 Liability. Any officer or employee, or member of the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals, charged with the enforcement of this code, acting for the applicable governing authority in the discharge of his duties, shall not thereby render himself personally liable, and is hereby relieved from all personal liability, for any damage that may occur to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties.

SECTION 104 DUTIES AND POWERS OF BUILDING OFFICIAL

[A] 104.1 General. The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code. The Building Official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies and procedures shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code, and shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code.

[A] 104.2 Right of entry.

104.2.1 Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this code, or whenever the Building Official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building, structure, premises, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the Building Official may enter such building, structure or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the Building Official by this code. If such building or premises are occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If such building, structure, or premises are unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of such and request entry. If entry is refused, the Building Official shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

104.2.2 When the Building Official shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building, structure, or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the Building Official for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this code.

[A] 104.3 Stop work orders. Upon notice from the Building Official, work on any building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system that is being done contrary to the provisions of this code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, shall immediately cease. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property, or to his agent, or to the person doing the work, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed. Where an emergency exists, the Building Official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping the work.

[A] 104.4 Revocation of permits. The Building Official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code wherever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any provisions of this code.

104.4.1 Misrepresentation of application. The Building Official may revoke a permit or approval, issued under the provisions of this code, in case there has been any false statement or misrepresentation as to the material fact in the application or plans on which the permit or approval was based.

104.4.2 Violation of code provisions. The Building Official may revoke a permit upon determination by the Building Official that the construction, erection, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, installation, or replacement of the building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems for which the permit was issued is in violation of, or not in conformity with, the provisions of this code.

[A] 104.5 Unsafe buildings or systems. All buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems which are unsafe, unsanitary, or do not provide adequate egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to existing use, constitute a hazard to safety or health, are considered unsafe buildings or service systems. All such unsafe buildings, structures or service systems are hereby declared illegal and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition in accordance with the International Property Maintenance Code 2006 edition, promulgated by the International Code Council, Inc., subject to all amendments, modifications or deletions hereinafter contained.

[A] 104.6 Requirements not covered by code. Any requirements necessary for the strength, stability or proper operation of an existing or proposed building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, or for the public safety, health and general welfare, not specifically covered by this or the other technical codes, shall be determined by the Building Official.

[A] 104.7 Department records. Reserved.

[A] 104.8 Liability. Reserved.

[A] 104.8.1 Legal defense. Reserved.

[A] 104.9 Approved materials and equipment. Materials, equipment and devices approved by the building official shall be constructed and installed in accordance with such approval.

[A] 104.9.1 Used materials and equipment. The use of used materials that meet the requirements of this code for new materials is permitted. Used equipment and devices shall not be reused unless approved by the building official.

[A] 104.10 Modifications. Reserved.

[A] 104.10.1 Flood hazard areas. Reserved.

[A] 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, not less than the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety. Where the alternative material, design or method of construction is not approved, the building official shall respond in writing, stating the reasons why the alternative was not approved.

[A] 104.11.1 Research reports. Supporting data, where necessary to assist in the approval of materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources.

[A] 104.11.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the building official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction.

Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the building official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for retention of public records.

104.11.3 Accessibility. Alternate designs and technologies for providing access to and usability of a facility for persons with disabilities shall be in accordance with provisions of the Florida Building Code, Accessibility.

104.12 Requirements not covered by code. Any requirements necessary for the strength, stability, or proper operation of an existing or proposed building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, or for the public safety, health, or general welfare, not specifically covered in the technical codes, shall be determined by the Building Official.

[A] 104.13 Determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings and structures in flood hazard areas.

SECTION 105 PERMITS

[A] 105.1 Required. Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

[A] 105.1.1 Annual facility permit. In lieu of an individual permit for each alteration to an existing electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing or interior nonstructural office system(s), the building official is authorized to issue an annual permit for any occupancy to facilitate routine or emergency service, repair, refurbishing, minor renovations of service systems or manufacturing equipment installations/relocations. The building official shall be notified of major changes and shall retain the right to make inspections at the facility site as deemed necessary. An annual facility permit shall be assessed with an annual fee and shall be valid for one year from date of issuance. A separate permit shall be obtained for each facility and for each construction trade, as applicable. The permit application shall contain a general description of the parameters of work intended to be performed during the year.

[A] 105.1.2 Annual permit records. The person to whom an annual permit is issued shall keep a detailed record of alterations made under such annual permit. The building official shall have access to such records at all times or such records shall be filed with the building official as designated.

105.1.3 Food permit. In accordance with Section 500.12, Florida Statutes, a food permit from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is required of any person who operates a food establishment or retail store.

105.1.4 Public swimming pool. The local enforcing agency may not issue a building permit to construct, develop, or modify a public swimming pool without proof of application, whether complete or incomplete, for an operating permit pursuant to Section 514.031, Florida Statutes. A certificate of completion or occupancy may not be issued until such operating permit is issued. The local enforcing agency shall conduct their review of the building permit application upon filing and in accordance with Chapter 553, Florida Statutes. The local enforcing agency may confer with the Department of Health, if necessary, but may not delay the building permit application review while awaiting comment from the Department of Health.

[A] 105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code. Permits shall not be required for the following:

Gas:

1.

Portable heating appliance.

2.

Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical:

1.

Portable heating appliance.

2.

Portable ventilation equipment.

3.

Portable cooling unit.

4.

Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.

5.

Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.

6.

Portable evaporative cooler.

7.

Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.

8.

The installation, replacement, removal or metering of any load management control device.

Plumbing:

1.

The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.

2.

The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

[A] 105.2.1 Emergency repairs. Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the Permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

[A] 105.2.2 Minor repairs. Ordinary minor repairs may be made with the approval of the building official without a permit, provided the repairs do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring systems or mechanical equipment or other work affecting public health or general safety, and such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of the technical codes.

[A] 105.2.3 Public service agencies. Reserved.

[A] 105.3 Application for permit. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the building department for that purpose. Permit application forms shall be in the format prescribed by a local administrative board, if applicable, and must comply with the requirements of Sections 713.135(5) and (6), Florida Statutes.

Each application shall be inscribed with the date of application, and the code in effect as of that date. For a building permit for which an application is submitted prior to the effective date of the Florida Building Code, the state minimum building code in effect in the permitting jurisdiction on the date of the application governs the permitted work for the life of the permit and any extension granted to the permit.

Effective October 1, 2017, a local enforcement agency shall post each type of building permit application on its website. Completed applications must be able to be submitted electronically to the appropriate building department. Accepted methods of electronic submission include, but are not limited to, e-mail submission of applications in portable document format or submission of applications through an electronic fill-in form available on the building department's website or through a third-party submission management software. Payments, attachments, or drawings required as part of the permit application may be submitted in person in a non-electronic format, at the discretion of the building official.

[A] 105.3.1 Action on application. The building official shall examine or cause to be examined applications for permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time after filing. If the application or the construction documents do not conform to the requirements of pertinent laws, the building official shall reject such application in writing, stating the reasons therefor. If the building official is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this code and laws and ordinances applicable thereto, the building official shall issue a permit therefor as soon as practicable. When authorized through contractual agreement with a school board, in acting on applications for permits, the building official shall give first priority to any applications for the construction of, or addition or renovation to, any school or educational facility.

105.3.1.1 If a state university, Florida college or public school district elects to use a local government's code enforcement offices, fees charged by counties and municipalities for enforcement of the Florida Building Code on buildings, structures, and facilities of state universities, state colleges, and public school districts shall not be more than the actual labor and administrative costs incurred for plans review and inspections to ensure compliance with the code.

105.3.1.2 No permit may be issued for any building construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or addition unless the applicant for such permit provides to the enforcing agency which issues the permit any of the following documents which apply to the construction for which the permit is to be issued and which shall be prepared by or under the direction of an engineer registered under Chapter 471, Florida Statutes:

1.

Plumbing documents for any new building or addition which requires a plumbing system with more than 250 fixture units or which costs more than $125,000.

2.

Fire sprinkler documents for any new building or addition which includes a fire sprinkler system which contains 50 or more sprinkler heads. Personnel as authorized by chapter 633 Florida Statutes, may design a fire sprinkler system of 49 or fewer heads and may design the alteration of an existing fire sprinkler system if the alteration consists of the relocation, addition or deletion of not more than 49 heads, notwithstanding the size of the existing fire sprinkler system.

3.

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning documents for any new building or addition which requires more than a 15-ton-per-system capacity which is designed to accommodate 100 or more persons or for which the system costs more than $125,000. This paragraph does not include any document for the replacement or repair of an existing system in which the work does not require altering a structural part of the building or for work on a residential one-, two-, three-, or four-family structure.

An air-conditioning system may be designed by an installing air-conditioning contractor certified under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, to serve any building or addition which is designed to accommodate fewer than 100 persons and requires an air-conditioning system with a value of $125,000 or less; and when a 15-ton-per system or less is designed for a singular space of a building and each 15-ton system or less has an independent duct system. Systems not complying with the above require design documents that are to be sealed by a professional engineer.

Example 1: When a space has two 10-ton systems with each having an independent duct system, the contractor may design these two systems since each unit (system) is less than 15 tons.

Example 2: Consider a small single-story office building which consists of six individual offices where each office has a single three-ton package air conditioning heat pump. The six heat pumps are connected to a single water cooling tower. The cost of the entire heating, ventilation and air-conditioning work is $47,000 and the office building accommodates fewer than 100 persons. Because the six mechanical units are connected to a common water tower, this is considered to be an 18-ton system. It therefore could not be designed by a mechanical or air conditioning contractor.

Note: It was further clarified by the Commission that the limiting criteria of 100 persons and $125,000 apply to the building occupancy load and the cost for the total air-conditioning system of the building.

4.

Any specialized mechanical, electrical, or plumbing document for any new building or addition which includes a medical gas, oxygen, steam, vacuum, toxic air filtration, halon, or fire detection and alarm system which costs more than $5,000.

5.

Electrical documents. See Florida Statutes 471.003(2)(h).

Documents requiring an engineer seal by this part shall not be valid unless a professional engineer who possesses a valid certificate of registration has signed, dated, and stamped such document as provided in Section 471.025, Florida Statutes.

6.

All public swimming pools and public bathing places defined by and regulated under Chapter 514, Florida Statutes.

[A] 105.3.2 Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

105.3.3 The Okaloosa county Growth Management Department may not issue a building permit for any building construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair or addition unless the permit either includes on its face or there is attached to the permit the following statement: "NOTICE: In addition to the requirements of this permit, there may be additional restrictions applicable to this property that may be found in the public records of this county, and there may be additional permits required from other governmental entities such as water management districts, state agencies, or federal agencies."

105.3.4 A building permit for a single-family residential dwelling must be issued within 30 working days of application therefor unless unusual circumstances require a longer time for processing the application or unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida Building Code or the enforcing agency's laws or ordinances.

105.3.5 Identification of minimum premium policy. Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 440, Florida Statutes, Workers' Compensation, every employer shall, as a condition to receiving a building permit, show proof that it has secured compensation for its employees as provided in Sections 440.10 and 440.38, Florida Statutes.

105.3.6 Asbestos removal. Moving, removal or disposal of asbestos-containing materials on a residential building where the owner occupies the building, the building is not for sale or lease, and the work is performed according to the owner-builder limitations provided in this paragraph. To qualify for exemption under this paragraph, an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application. The permitting agency shall provide the person with a disclosure statement in substantially the following form:

Disclosure Statement: State law requires asbestos abatement to be done by licensed contractors. You have applied for a permit under an exemption to that law. The exemption allows you, as the owner of your property, to act as your own asbestos abatement contractor even though you do not have a license. You must supervise the construction yourself. You may move, remove or dispose of asbestos-containing materials on a residential building where you occupy the building and the building is not for sale or lease, or the building is a farm outbuilding on your property. If you sell or lease such building within 1 year after the asbestos abatement is complete, the law will presume that you intended to sell or lease the property at the time the work was done, which is a violation of this exemption. You may not hire an unlicensed person as your contractor. Your work must be done according to all local, state and federal laws and regulations which apply to asbestos abatement projects. It is your responsibility to make sure that people employed by you have licenses required by state law and by county or municipal licensing ordinances.

105.3.7 Applicable Code for Manufactured Buildings. Manufacturers should be permitted to complete all buildings designed and approved prior to the effective date of a new code edition, provided a clear signed contract is in place. The contract shall provide specific data mirroring that required by an application for permit, specifically, without limitation, date of execution, building owner or dealer, and anticipated date of completion. However, the construction activity must commence within 6 months of the contract's execution. The contract is subject to verification by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

105.4 Conditions of the permit.

105.4.1 Permit intent. A permit issued shall be construed to be a license to proceed with the work and not as authority to violate, cancel, alter or set aside any of the provisions of the technical codes, nor shall issuance of a permit prevent the building official from thereafter requiring a correction of errors in plans, construction or violations of this code. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 6 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 6 months after the time the work is commenced unless extended in conformance with the extension provisions of this code.

105.4.1.1 If work has commenced and the permit is revoked, becomes null and void, or expires because of lack of progress or abandonment, a new permit covering the proposed construction shall be obtained before proceeding with the work.

105.4.1.2 If a new permit is not obtained within 180 days from the date the initial permit became null and void, the building official is authorized to require that any work which has been commenced or completed be removed from the building site. Alternately, a new permit may be issued on application, providing the work in place and required to complete the structure meets all applicable regulations in effect at the time the initial permit became null and void and any regulations which may have become effective between the date of expiration and the date of issuance of the new permit.

105.4.1.3 Work shall be considered to be in active progress when the permit has received an approved inspection within 180 days. This provision shall not be applicable in case of civil commotion or strike or when the building work is halted due directly to judicial injunction, order or similar process.

105.4.1.4 The fee for renewal reissuance and extension of a permit shall be set forth by the Board of County Commissioners.

[A] 105.5 Expiration and extension. Unless extended as provided for herein, every permit issued shall expire after two (2) years. Work authorized by such permit must be commenced within six (6) months after the permit's issuance; if the work authorized by such permit does not commence within six (6) months, or is suspended or abandoned for a period of six (6) months after the time the work is commenced, the permit shall expire. Failure to obtain an approved inspection within six (6) months of the previous approved inspection shall constitute suspension or abandonment and the permit shall be expired. This provision shall not be applicable in case of civil commotion or strike or when the building work is halted due directly to judicial injunction, order or similar process. For permits under which construction has commenced, the building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not to exceed more than six (6) months each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. Permits issued for the demolition of a structure shall expire sixty (60) days from the date of issuance. For a justifiable cause, one (1) extension of time for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days may be allowed. Such request shall be in writing to the building official.

[A] 105.6 Denial, suspension, or revocation. The Building Official is authorized to deny, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code wherever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code. Whenever a permit required under this section is denied or revoked because the plan, or the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or demolition of a building, is found by the Building Official to be not in compliance with the Florida Building Code, the Building Official shall identify the specific plan or project features that do not comply with the applicable codes, identify the specific code chapters and sections upon which the finding is based, and provide this information to the permit applicant. If the local building code administrator or inspector finds that the plans are not in compliance with the Florida Building Code, the local building code administrator or inspector shall identify the specific plan features that do not comply with the applicable codes, identify the specific code chapters and sections upon which the finding is based, and provide this information to the local enforcing agency. The local enforcing agency shall provide this information to the permit applicant.

[A] 105.7 Placement of permit. The building permit or copy shall be kept on the site of the work until the completion of the project.

105.8 Notice of commencement. In accordance with Section 713.135, Florida Statutes, when any person applies for a building permit, the authority issuing such permit shall print on the face of each permit card in no less than 14-point, capitalized, boldfaced type: "WARNING TO OWNER: YOUR FAILURE TO RECORD A NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT MAY RESULT IN YOUR PAYING TWICE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR PROPERTY. A NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT MUST BE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE JOB SITE BEFORE THE FIRST INSPECTION. IF YOU INTEND TO OBTAIN FINANCING, CONSULT WITH YOUR LENDER OR AN ATTORNEY BEFORE RECORDING YOUR NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT."

105.9 Asbestos. The enforcing agency shall require each building permit for the demolition or renovation of an existing structure to contain an asbestos notification statement which indicates the owner's or operator's responsibility to comply with the provisions of Section 469.003, Florida Statutes, and to notify the Department of Environmental Protection of his or her intentions to remove asbestos, when applicable, in accordance with state and federal law.

105.10 Certificate of protective treatment for prevention of termites. A weather-resistant job-site posting board shall be provided to receive duplicate treatment certificates as each required protective treatment is completed, providing a copy for the person the permit is issued to and another copy for the building permit files. The treatment certificate shall provide the product used, identity of the applicator, time and date of the treatment, site location, area treated, chemical used, percent concentration and number of gallons used, to establish a verifiable record of protective treatment. If the soil chemical barrier method for termite prevention is used, final exterior treatment shall be completed prior to final building approval.

105.11 Notice of termite protection. A permanent sign which identifies the termite treatment provider and need for reinspection and treatment contract renewal shall be provided. The sign shall be posted near the water heater or electric panel.

105.12 Work starting before permit issuance. Upon approval of the building official, the scope of work delineated in the building permit application and plan may be started prior to the final approval and issuance of the permit, provided any work completed is entirely at risk of the permit applicant and the work does not proceed past the first required inspection.

105.13 Phased permit approval. After submittal of the appropriate construction documents, the building official is authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the construction documents for the whole building or structure have been submitted. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building or structure shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted. Corrections may be required to meet the requirements of the technical codes.

105.14 Permit issued on basis of an affidavit. Whenever a permit is issued in reliance upon an affidavit or whenever the work to be covered by a permit involves installation under conditions which, in the opinion of the building official, are hazardous or complex, the building official shall require that the architect or engineer who signed the affidavit or prepared the drawings or computations shall supervise such work. In addition, they shall be responsible for conformity to the permit, provide copies of inspection reports as inspections are performed, and upon completion make and file with the building official written affidavit that the work has been done in conformity to the reviewed plans and with the structural provisions of the technical codes. In the event such architect or engineer is not available, the owner shall employ in his stead a competent person or agency whose qualifications are reviewed by the building official. The building official shall ensure that any person conducting plans review is qualified as a plans examiner under Part XII of Chapter 468, Florida Statutes, and that any person conducting inspections is qualified as a building inspector under Part XII of Chapter 468, Florida Statutes.

Exception: Permit issued on basis of an affidavit shall not extend to the flood load and flood resistance requirements of the Florida Building Code.

105.15 Opening protection. When any activity requiring a building permit, not including roof covering replacement or repair work associated with the prevention of degradation of the residence, that is applied for on or after July 1, 2008, and for which the estimated cost is $50,000 or more for a site built single-family detached residential structure that is located in the wind borne debris region as defined in this code and that has an insured value of $750,000 or more, or, if the site built single-family detached residential structure is uninsured or for which documentation of insured value is not presented, has a just valuation for the structure for purposes of ad valorem taxation of $750,000 or more; opening protections as required within this code or Florida Building Code, Residential for new construction shall be provided.

Exception: Single family residential structures permitted subject to the Florida Building Code are not required to comply with this section.

105.16 Inspection of existing residential building not impacted by construction.

(a)

A local enforcing agency, and any local building code administrator, inspector, or other official or entity, may not require as a condition of issuance of a one- or two-family residential building permit the inspection of any portion of a building, structure, or real property that is not directly impacted by the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or demolition of the building, structure, or real property for which the permit is sought.

(b)

This subsection does not apply to a building permit sought for:

1.

A substantial improvement as defined in § 161.54, Florida Statutes or as defined in the Florida Building Code.

2.

A change of occupancy as defined in the Florida Building Code.

3.

A conversion from residential to nonresidential or mixed use pursuant to § 553.507(2)(a), Florida Statutes or as defined in the Florida Building Code.

4.

A historic building as defined in the Florida Building Code.

(c)

This subsection does not prohibit a local enforcing agency, or any local building code administrator, inspector, or other official or entity, from:

1.

Citing any violation inadvertently observed in plain view during the ordinary course of an inspection conducted in accordance with the prohibition in paragraph (a).

2.

Inspecting a physically nonadjacent portion of a building, structure, or real property that is directly impacted by the construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or demolition of the building, structure, or real property for which the permit is sought in accordance with the prohibition in paragraph (a).

3.

Inspecting any portion of a building, structure, or real property for which the owner or other person having control of the building, structure, or real property has voluntarily consented to the inspection of that portion of the building, structure, or real property in accordance with the prohibition in paragraph (a).

4.

Inspecting any portion of a building, structure, or real property pursuant to an inspection warrant issued in accordance with §§ 933.20-933.30, Florida Statutes.

105.17

Streamlined low-voltage alarm system installation permitting.

(1)

As used in this section, the term:

(a)

"Contractor" means a person who is qualified to engage in the business of electrical or alarm system contracting pursuant to a certificate or registration issued by the department under Part II of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

(b)

"Low-voltage alarm system project" means a project related to the installation, maintenance, inspection, replacement, or service of a new or existing alarm system, as defined in § 489.505, Florida Statutes, that is hardwired and operating at low voltage, as defined in the National Electrical Code Standard 70, Current Edition, or a new or existing low-voltage electric fence, and ancillary components or equipment attached to such a system, or fence, including, but not limited to, home-automation equipment, thermostats, closed-circuit television systems, access controls, battery recharging devices, and video cameras.

(c)

"Low-voltage electric fence" means an alarm system, as defined in § 489.505, that consists of a fence structure and an energizer powered by a commercial storage battery not exceeding 12 volts which produces an electric charge upon contact with the fence structure.

(d)

"Wireless alarm system" means a burglar alarm system or smoke detector that is not hardwired.

(2)

Notwithstanding any provision of this code, this section applies to all low-voltage alarm system projects for which a permit is required by a local enforcement agency. However, a permit is not required to install, maintain, inspect, replace, or service a wireless alarm system, including any ancillary components or equipment attached to the system.

(3)

A low-voltage electric fence must meet all of the following requirements to be permitted as a low-voltage alarm system project and no further permit shall be required for the low-voltage alarm system project other than as provided in this section:

(a)

The electric charge produced by the fence upon contact must not exceed energizer characteristics set forth in paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard No. 60335-2-76, Current Edition.

(b)

A nonelectric fence or wall must completely enclose the low-voltage electric fence. The low-voltage electric fence may be up to 2 feet higher than the perimeter nonelectric fence or wall.

(c)

The low-voltage electric fence must be identified using warning signs attached to the fence at intervals of not more than 60 feet.

(d)

The low-voltage electric fence shall not be installed in an area zoned exclusively for single-family or multi-family residential use.

(e)

The low-voltage electric fence shall not enclose the portions of a property which are used for residential purposes.

(4)

This section does not apply to the installation or replacement of a fire alarm if a plan review is required.

(5)

A local enforcement agency shall make uniform basic permit labels available for purchase by a contractor to be used for the installation or replacement of a new or existing alarm system at a cost as indicated in § 553.793, Florida Statutes. The local enforcement agency may not require the payment of any additional fees, charges, or expenses associated with the installation or replacement of a new or existing alarm.

(a)

A local enforcement agency may not require a contractor, as a condition of purchasing a label, to submit information other than identification information of the licensee and proof of registration or certification as a contractor.

(b)

A label is valid for 1 year after the date of purchase and may only be used within the jurisdiction of the local enforcement agency that issued the label. A contractor may purchase labels in bulk for one or more unspecified current or future projects.

(6)

A contractor shall post an unused uniform basic permit label in a conspicuous place on the premises of the low-voltage alarm system project site before commencing work on the project.

(7)

A contractor is not required to notify the local enforcement agency before commencing work on a low-voltage alarm system project. However, a contractor must submit a Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project as provided under subsection (7) to the local enforcement agency within 14 days after completing the project. A local enforcement agency may take disciplinary action against a contractor who fails to timely submit a Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project.

(8)

The Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project may be submitted electronically or by facsimile if all submissions are signed by the owner, tenant, contractor, or authorized representative of such persons. The Uniform Notice of a Low-Voltage Alarm System Project shall be in the format prescribed by the local enforcement agency and must comply with the requirements of § 553.793(7), Florida Statutes.

(9)

A local enforcement agency may coordinate directly with the owner or customer to inspect a low-voltage alarm system to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. If a low-voltage alarm system project fails an inspection, the contractor must take corrective action as necessary to pass inspection.

(10)

A municipality, county, district, or other entity of local government may not adopt or maintain in effect any ordinance or rule regarding a low-voltage alarm system project that is inconsistent with this section.

(11)

A uniform basic permit label shall not be required for the subsequent maintenance, inspection, or service of an alarm system that was permitted in accordance with this section. The provisions of this act are not intended to impose new or additional licensure requirements on persons licensed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

SECTION 106 FLOOR AND ROOF DESIGN LOADS

[A] 106.1 Live loads posted. In commercial or industrial buildings, for each floor or portion thereof designed for live loads exceeding 50 psf (2.40 kN/m2), such design live loads shall be conspicuously posted by the owner or the owner's authorized agent in that part of each story in which they apply, using durable signs. It shall be unlawful to remove or deface such notices.

[A] 106.2 Issuance of certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy required by Section 111 shall not be issued until the floor load signs, required by Section 106.1, have been installed.

[A] 106.3 Restrictions on loading. It shall be unlawful to place, or cause or permit to be placed, on any floor or roof of a building, structure or portion thereof, a load greater than is permitted by this code.

SECTION 107 SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS

[A] 107.1 General. Submittal documents consisting of construction documents, statement of special inspections, geo-technical report and other data shall be submitted in two or more sets with each permit application. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by Chapter 471, Florida Statutes or Chapter 481, Florida Statutes. Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.

Exception: The building official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.

If the design professional is an architect or engineer legally registered under the laws of this state regulating the practice of architecture as provided for in Chapter 481, Florida Statutes, Part I, or engineering as provided for in Chapter 471, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 61G-15 of the Florida Administrative Code then he or she shall affix his or her official seal, original signature, and date to said drawings, specifications and accompanying data, as required by Florida Statute. If the design professional is a landscape architect registered under the laws of this state regulating the practice of landscape architecture as provided for in Chapter 481, Florida Statutes, Part II, then he or she shall affix his or her seal, original signature, and date to said drawings, specifications and accompanying data as defined in Section 481.303(6)(a)(b)(c)(d), FS and Chapter 61G-15 of the Florida Administrative Code.

[A] 107.2 Construction documents. Construction documents shall be in accordance with Sections 107.2.1 through 107.2.8.

[A] 107.2.1 Information on construction documents. Construction documents shall be dimensioned and drawn upon suitable material. Electronic media documents are permitted to be submitted where approved by the building official. Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined by the building official.

107.2.1.1 For roof assemblies required by the code, the construction documents shall illustrate, describe and delineate the type of roofing system, materials, fastening requirements, flashing requirements and wind resistance rating that are required to be installed. Product evaluation and installation shall indicate compliance with the wind criteria required for the specific site or a statement by an architect or engineer for the specific site must be submitted with the construction documents.

107.2.1.2 Additional data. The building official may require details, computations, stress diagrams, and other data necessary to describe the construction or installation and the basis of calculations. All drawings, specifications and accompanying data required by the building official to be prepared by an architect or engineer shall be affixed with their official seal, signature and date as state law requires.

107.2.1.3 Quality of building plans. The building official may establish through departmental policy, standards for plans and specifications, in order to provide conformity to its record retention program. This policy may include such things as minimum size, shape, contrast, clarity, or other items related to records management, such as Building plans shall be drawn to a minimum 1/8 inch scale upon substantial paper, cloth or other acceptable medium.

[A] 107.2.2 Fire protection system shop drawings. Shop drawings for the fire protection system(s) shall be submitted to indicate conformance to this code and the construction documents and shall be approved prior to the start of system installation. Shop drawings shall contain all information as required by the referenced installation standards in Chapter 9.

[A] 107.2.3 Means of egress. The construction documents shall show in sufficient detail the location, construction, size and character of all portions of the means of egress including the path of the exit discharge to the public way in compliance with the provisions of this code. In other than occupancies in Groups R-2, R-3, and I-1, the construction documents shall designate the number of occupants to be accommodated on every floor, and in all rooms and spaces.

[A] 107.2.4 Exterior wall envelope. Construction documents for all buildings shall describe the exterior wall envelope in sufficient detail to determine compliance with this code. The construction documents shall provide details of the exterior wall envelope as required, including flashing, intersections with dissimilar materials, corners, end details, control joints, intersections at roof, eaves or parapets, means of drainage, water-resistive membrane and details around openings. The construction documents shall include manufacturer's installation instructions that provide supporting documentation that the proposed penetration and opening details described in the construction documents maintain the weather resistance of the exterior wall envelope. The supporting documentation shall fully describe the exterior wall system that was tested, where applicable, as well as the test procedure used.

[A] 107.2.5 Site plan. The construction documents submitted with the application for permit shall be accompanied by a site plan showing to scale the size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site, distances from lot lines, the established street grades and the proposed finished grades and, as applicable, flood hazard areas, floodways, and design flood elevations; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey. In the case of demolition, the site plan shall show construction to be demolished and the location and size of existing structures and construction that are to remain on the site or plot. The building official is authorized to waive or modify the requirement for a site plan where the application for permit is for alteration or repair or where otherwise warranted.

[A] 107.2.5.1 Design flood elevations. Where design flood elevations are not specified, they shall be established in accordance with Section 1612.3.1.

107.2.5.2 Reserved.

[A] 107.2.6 Structural information. The construction documents shall provide the information specified in Section 1603.

107.2.7 Hazardous occupancies. The building official may require the following:

1.

General site plan. A general site plan drawn at a legible scale which shall include, but not be limited to, the location of all buildings, exterior storage facilities, permanent access ways, evacuation routes, parking lots, internal roads, chemical loading areas, equipment cleaning areas, storm and sanitary sewer accesses, emergency equipment and adjacent property uses. The exterior storage areas shall be identified with the hazard classes and the maximum quantities per hazard class of hazardous materials stored.

2.

Building floor plan. A building floor plan drawn to a legible scale, which shall include, but not be limited to, all hazardous materials storage facilities within the building and shall indicate rooms, doorways, corridors, exits, fire rated assemblies with their hourly rating, location of liquid tight rooms, and evacuation routes. Each hazardous materials storage facility shall be identified on the plan with the hazard classes and quantity range per hazard class of the hazardous materials stored.

107.2.8 As-built site plan. Upon completion of the project and before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, the builder/owner or his or her agent is required to submit an electronic as-built copy of the plans and associated documents on computer disc (CD) or appropriate storage device.

[A] 107.3 Examination of documents. The building official shall examine or cause to be examined the accompanying submittal documents and shall ascertain by such examinations whether the construction indicated and described is in accordance with the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws or ordinances.

Exceptions:

1.

Building plans approved pursuant to Section 553.77(5), Florida Statutes, and state-approved manufactured buildings are exempt from local codes enforcing agency plan reviews except for provisions of the code relating to erection, assembly or construction at the site. Erection, assembly and construction at the site are subject to local permitting and inspections. Photocopies of plans approved according to Rule 61-41.009, Florida Administrative Code, shall be sufficient for local permit application documents of record for the modular building portion of the permitted project.

2.

Industrial construction on sites where design, construction and fire safety are supervised by appropriate design and inspection professionals and which contain adequate in-house fire departments and rescue squads is exempt, subject to approval of the Building Official, from review of plans and inspections, providing owners certify that applicable codes and standards have been met and supply appropriate approved drawings to local building and fire-safety inspectors.

[A] 107.3.1 Approval of construction documents. When the building official issues a permit, the construction documents shall be approved, in writing or by stamp, as "Reviewed for Code Compliance." One set of construction documents so reviewed shall be retained by the building official. The other set shall be returned to the applicant, shall be kept at the site of work and shall be open to inspection by the building official or a duly authorized representative.

[A] 107.3.2 Previous approvals. This code shall not require changes in the construction documents, construction or designated occupancy of a structure for which a lawful permit has been heretofore issued or otherwise lawfully authorized, and the construction of which has been pursued in good faith within 180 days after the effective date of this code and has not been abandoned.

[A] 107.3.3 Phased approval. The building official is authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the construction documents for the whole building or structure have been submitted, provided that adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with pertinent requirements of this code. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building or structure shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted.

107.3.3.1 Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management may not issue any permit for construction until the appropriate fire safety inspector has reviewed the plans pursuant to Section 633.081, Florida Statutes.

[A] 107.3.4 Design professional in responsible charge.

107.3.4.1 General. When it is required that documents be prepared by a registered design professional, the Building Official shall be authorized to require the owner to engage and designate on the building permit application a registered design professional who shall act as the registered design professional in responsible charge. If the circumstances require, the owner shall designate a substitute registered design professional in responsible charge who shall perform the duties required of the original registered design professional in responsible charge. The building official shall be notified in writing by the owner if the registered design professional in responsible charge is changed or is unable to continue to perform the duties.

The registered design professional in responsible charge shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating submittal documents prepared by others, including phased and deferred submittal items, for compatibility with the design of the building.

[A] 107.3.4.2 Deferred submittals. For the purposes of this section, deferred submittals are defined as those portions of the design that are not submitted at the time of the application and that are to be submitted to the building official within a specified period. Deferral of any submittal items shall have the prior approval of the building official. The registered design professional in responsible charge shall list the deferred submittals on the construction documents for review by the building official. Documents for deferred submittal items shall be submitted to the registered design professional in responsible charge who shall review them and forward them to the building official with a notation indicating that the deferred submittal documents have been reviewed and found to be in general conformance to the design of the building. The deferred submittal items shall not be installed until the deferred submittal documents have been approved by the building official.

107.3.4.3 Certifications by contractors authorized under the provisions of Section 489.115(4)(b), Florida Statutes, shall be considered equivalent to sealed plans and specifications by a person licensed under Chapter 471, Florida Statutes, or Chapter 481, Florida Statutes, by local enforcement agencies for plans review for permitting purposes relating to compliance with the wind-resistance provisions of the code or alternate methodologies approved by the Florida Building Commission for one- and two-family dwellings. Local enforcement agencies may rely upon such certification by contractors that the plans and specifications submitted conform to the requirements of the code for wind resistance.

Upon good cause shown, local government code enforcement agencies may accept or reject plans sealed by persons licensed under Chapters 471, 481 or 489, Florida Statutes.

107.3.5 Minimum plan review criteria for buildings. The examination of the documents by the building official shall include the following minimum criteria and documents: a floor plan; site plan; foundation plan; floor/roof framing plan or truss layout; all fenestration penetrations; flashing; and rough opening dimensions; and all exterior elevations:

Commercial Buildings:

Building:

1.

Site requirements:

•

Parking

•

Fire access

•

Vehicle loading

•

Driving/turning radius

•

Fire hydrant/water supply/post indicator valve (PIV)

•

Set back/separation (assumed property lines)

•

Location of specific tanks, water lines and sewer lines

•

Flood hazard areas, flood zones, and design flood elevations

2.

Occupancy group and special occupancy requirements shall be determined.

3.

Minimum type of construction shall be determined (see Table 503).

4.

Fire-resistant construction requirements shall include the following components:

•

Fire-resistant separations

•

Fire-resistant protection for type of construction

•

Protection of openings and penetrations of rated walls

•

Fire blocking and draftstopping and calculated fire resistance

5.

Fire suppression systems shall include:

•

Early warning smoke evacuation systems

•

Schematic fire sprinklers

•

Standpipes

•

Pre-engineered systems

•

Riser diagram.

6.

Life safety systems shall be determined and shall include the following requirements:

•

Occupant load and egress capacities

•

Early warning

•

Smoke control

•

Stair pressurization

•

Systems schematic

7.

Occupancy load/egress requirements shall include:

•

Occupancy load

•

Gross

•

Net

•

Means of egress

•

Exit access

•

Exit

•

Exit discharge

•

Stairs construction/geometry and protection

•

Doors

•

Emergency lighting and exit signs

•

Specific occupancy requirements

•

Construction requirements

•

Horizontal exits/exit passageways

8.

Structural requirements shall include:

•

Soil conditions/analysis

•

Termite protection

•

Design loads

•

Wind requirements

•

Building envelope

•

Impact resistant coverings or systems

•

Structural calculations (if required)

•

Foundation

•

Flood requirements in accordance with Section 1612, including lowest floor elevations, enclosures, flood damage-resistant materials

•

Wall systems

•

Floor systems

•

Roof systems

•

Threshold inspection plan

•

Stair systems

9.

Materials shall be reviewed and shall at a minimum include the following:

•

Wood

•

Steel

•

Aluminum

•

Concrete

•

Plastic

•

Glass

•

Masonry

•

Gypsum board and plaster

•

Insulating (mechanical)

•

Roofing

•

Insulation

10.

Accessibility requirements shall include the following:

•

Site requirements

•

Accessible route

•

Vertical accessibility

•

Toilet and bathing facilities

•

Drinking fountains

•

Equipment

•

Special occupancy requirements

•

Fair housing requirements

11.

Interior requirements shall include the following:

•

Interior finishes (flame spread/smoke development)

•

Light and ventilation

•

Sanitation

12.

Special systems:

•

Elevators

•

Escalators

•

Lifts

•

Design flood elevations

13.

Swimming pools:

•

Barrier requirements

•

Spas

•

Wading pools

14.

Location and installation details. The specific location and installation details of each fire door, fire damper, ceiling damper and smoke damper shall be shown and properly identified on the building plans by the designer.

Electrical:

1.

Electrical:

•

Wiring

•

Services

•

Feeders and branch circuits

•

Overcurrent protection

•

Grounding

•

Wiring methods and materials

•

GFCIs

2.

Equipment

3.

Special occupancies

4.

Emergency systems

5.

Communication systems

6.

Low voltage

7.

Load calculations

8.

Design flood elevation

Plumbing:

1.

Minimum plumbing facilities

2.

Fixture requirements

3.

Water supply piping

4.

Sanitary drainage

5.

Water heaters

6.

Vents

7.

Roof drainage

8.

Back flow prevention

9.

Irrigation

10.

Location of water supply line

11.

Grease traps

12.

Environmental requirements

13.

Plumbing riser

14.

Design flood elevation

Mechanical:

1.

Energy calculations

2.

Exhaust systems:

•

Clothes dryer exhaust

•

Kitchen equipment exhaust

•

Specialty exhaust systems

3.

Equipment

4.

Equipment location

5.

Make-up air

6.

Roof-mounted equipment

7.

Duct systems

8.

Ventilation

9.

Combustion air

10.

Chimneys, fireplaces and vents

11.

Appliances

12.

Boilers

13.

Refrigeration

14.

Bathroom ventilation

15.

Laboratory

16.

Design flood elevation

Gas:

1.

Gas piping

2.

Venting

3.

Combustion air

4.

Chimneys and vents

5.

Appliances

6.

Type of gas

7.

Fireplaces

8.

LP tank location

9.

Riser diagram/shutoffs

10.

Design flood elevation

Demolition:

1.

Asbestos removal

Residential (one- and two-family):

1.

Site requirements:

•

Set back/separation (assumed property lines)

•

Location of septic tanks

2.

Fire-resistant construction (if required)

3.

Fire

4.

Smoke detector locations

5.

Egress:

•

Egress window size and location stairs

•

construction requirements

6.

Structural requirements shall include:

•

Wall section from foundation through roof, including assembly and materials connector tables wind requirements structural calculations (if required)

•

Flood hazard areas, flood zones, design flood elevations, lowest floor elevations, enclosures, equipment, and flood damage-resistant materials

•

Termite Protection

•

Wind Design loads

•

Wind requirements

•

Building envelope

•

Structural calculations (if required)

•

Foundation

•

Wall systems

•

Floor systems

•

Roof systems

7.

Accessibility requirements:

•

Show/identify

•

Accessible bath

8.

Impact resistant coverings or systems

Manufactured/Mobile Homes

1.

Site requirements. Setback/separation (assumed property lines) location of septic tanks (if applicable)

2.

Structural wind zone anchoring blocking

3.

Plumbing. Service Hook-up (Water & Sewer) List potable water source and meter size (if applicable)

4.

Mechanical Exhaust systems clothes dryer exhaust kitchen equipment exhaust

5.

Electrical Service

6.

Service feeder

7.

Design flood elevation

8.

Anchoring system to prevent flotation

Underground Utilities

1.

Full system design drawings.

2.

All associated calculations

Exemptions: Plans examination by the building official shall not be required for the following work:

1.

Replacing existing equipment such as mechanical units, water heaters, etc.

2.

Reroofs

3.

Minor electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs

4.

Annual maintenance permits

5.

Prototype plans:

Except for local site adaptions, siding, foundations and/or modifications.

Except for structures that require waiver.

6.

Manufactured buildings plan except for foundations and modifications of buildings on site and as noted above.

[A] 107.4 Amended construction documents. Work shall be installed in accordance with the approved construction documents, and any changes made during construction that are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be resubmitted for approval as an amended set of construction documents. Resubmittal must be reviewed and approved by the Building Official.

[A] 107.5 Retention of construction documents. One set of approved construction documents shall be retained by the building official as required by the Florida Statutes.

107.6 Affidavits. The building official may accept a sworn affidavit from a registered architect or engineer stating that the plans submitted conform to the technical codes. For buildings and structures, the affidavit shall state that the plans conform to the laws as to egress, type of construction and general arrangement and, if accompanied by drawings, show the structural design and that the plans and design conform to the requirements of the technical codes as to strength, stresses, strains, loads and stability. The building official may without any examination or inspection accept such affidavit, provided the architect or engineer who made such affidavit agrees to submit to the building official copies of inspection reports as inspections are performed and upon completion of the structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems a certification that the structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system has been erected in accordance with the requirements of the technical codes. Where the building official relies upon such affidavit, the architect or engineer shall assume full responsibility for compliance with all provisions of the technical codes and other pertinent laws or ordinances. The building official shall ensure that any person conducting plans review is qualified as a plans examiner under Part XII of Chapter 468, Florida Statutes, and that any person conducting inspections is qualified as a building inspector under Part XII of Chapter 468, Florida Statutes.

107.6.1 Building permits issued on the basis of an affidavit. Pursuant to the requirements of federal regulation for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (44 C.F.R. Parts 59 and 60), the authority granted to the building official to issue permits, to rely on inspections, and to accept plans and construction documents on the basis of affidavits and plans submitted pursuant to Sections 105.14 and 107.6, shall not extend to the flood load and flood-resistance construction requirements of the Florida Building Code.

SECTION 108 TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND USES

[A] 108.1 General. The building official is authorized to issue a permit for temporary structures and temporary uses. Such permits shall be limited as to time of service, but shall not be permitted for more than 180 days. The building official is authorized to grant extensions for demonstrated cause.

[A] 108.2 Conformance. Temporary structures and uses shall conform to the structural strength, fire safety, means of egress, accessibility, light, ventilation and sanitary requirements of this code as necessary to ensure public health, safety and general welfare.

[A] 108.3 Temporary power. The building official is authorized to give permission to temporarily supply and use power in part of an electric installation before such installation has been fully completed, for a period not to exceed 180 days, and the final certificate of completion has been issued. The part covered by the temporary certificate shall comply with the requirements specified for temporary lighting, heat or power in NFPA 70.

[A] 108.4 Termination of approval. The building official is authorized to terminate such permit for a temporary structure or use and to order the temporary structure or use to be dis-continued.

SECTION 109 FEES

[A] 109.1 Payment of fees. Except as provided in section 109.5, below, a permit shall not be valid until the fees prescribed by law have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, has been paid.

[A] 109.2 Schedule of permit fees. On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by the Board of County Commissioners.

109.2.1 Types of Fees Enumerated. Fees may be charged for but not limited to the following:

Permits;

Plans examination;

Certificates of competency (including fees for applications, examinations, renewal, late renewal, and reciprocity);

Re-inspections;

Administrative fees (including fees for investigative and legal costs incurred in the context of certain disciplinary cases heard by the board);

Administrative appeals;

Violations; and

Other fees as established by local ordinance.

[A] 109.3 Building permit valuations. If, in the opinion of the building official, the claimed valuation of building, alteration, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems appears to be underestimated on the application, the permit shall be adjusted to represent the correct value, unless the applicant can show detailed estimates, and/or bona fide signed contracts (excluding land value) to meet the approval of the building official. For permitting purposes, valuation of buildings and systems shall be total replacement value to include structural, electric, plumbing, mechanical, interior finish, normal site work (excavation and backfill for buildings), architectural and design fees, marketing costs, overhead and profit; excluding only land value. Valuation references may include the latest published date of national construction cost analysis services (Marshall-Swift, Means, etc.) with regional adjustments for location as published by International Code Congress annually. Final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official.

[A] 109.4 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the Building Official's approval or the necessary permits shall be subject to a penalty of 100 percent of the usual permit fee in addition to the required permit fees or as provided by local ordinance. This provision shall not apply to emergency work when delay would clearly have placed life or property in imminent danger. But in all such cases the required permit(s) must be applied for within three (3) business days and any unreasonable delay in obtaining those permit(s) shall result in the charge of a double fee. The payment of a double fee shall not preclude or be deemed a substitute for prosecution for commencing work without first obtaining a permit.

[A] 109.5 Related fees and exemptions.

[A] 109.5.1 The Building Official and one designee appointed by the Building Official are authorized to waive fee(s) in instances the following instances:

109.5.1.1 When the fee that otherwise would have been collected is redundant with a fee for a service for which a fee has been or will be collected during the course of the Inspection Division's review and inspections of the subject.

109.5.1.2 Permitting fees for disabled veterans meeting the criteria of Section 295.16, Florida Statutes, and, at the Building Official's sole discretion, all or part of the fees for applications and inspections submitted on behalf of disabled veterans by private, non-profit, charitable organizations when doing so furthers the provision of providing handicapped-accessible housing for disabled veterans.

109.5.1.3 In such instances where fees have been waived pursuant to 109.5.1.1 and 109.5.1.2, the permitting record for the subject project will be annotated to reflect the amount of fee waived, the justification, and under whose authority the fee was waived.

[A] 109.5.2 For permits issued via fax, active contractors shall complete a Fax Permit Form for each permit sought for re-roofing, siding, windows & doors change out, electrical, pre-wire, plumbing, mechanical, irrigation, burglar alarm and gas permits. Once the permit is issued, a copy of the fax permit is sent to the requester via email or fax. At the beginning of the following month, the fax billings are summarized and are emailed or mailed to the contractors for payment. Check payments may be delivered by hand or mailed to the County offices at which building permitting occurs. Payments must be received before the 15 ^th of the next billing cycle. For example, a permit issued in January will be billed on the first of February and will be due by March 15 ^th . Failure to pay for fax permits within the billing cycle will result in the contractor being placed on an inactive status with permit privileges suspended until the account is paid in full.

[A] 109.6 Refunds. The Building Official as well as one additional manager within the Inspections Division as designated by the Building Official are authorized to refund fee(s) in instances in which the fee being collected was assessed in error, could have been waived pursuant to 109.5, above. In such instances, the permitting record for the subject project will be annotated to reflect the amount of fee refunded, the justification, and under whose authority the fee was waived.

SECTION 110 INSPECTIONS

[A] 110.1 General. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the owner or the owner's authorized agent to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. The building official shall be permitted to require a boundary line survey prepared by a qualified surveyor whenever the boundary lines cannot be readily determined in the field. Neither the building official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.

110.1.1 Manufacturers and fabricators. When deemed necessary by the building official, he or she shall make, or cause to be made, an inspection of materials or assemblies at the point of manufacture or fabrication. A record shall be made of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of the technical codes.

110.1.2 Inspection service. The building official may make, or cause to be made, the inspections required by Section 110 herein. He or she may accept reports of department inspectors, independent inspectors or of recognized inspection services, provided that after investigation he/she is satisfied as to their licensure, qualifications and reliability. A certificate required by any provision of this code shall not be based on such reports unless the same are recorded by the building code inspector or the architect or engineer performing building code inspections in a manner specified by the building official. The building official shall ensure that all persons making such inspections shall be certified in accordance to Chapter 468, Florida Statues.

[A] 110.2 Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the building official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings, structures and sites for which an application has been filed.

[A] 110.3 Required inspections. The building official upon notification from the permit holder or his or her agent shall make the following inspections, and shall either release that portion of the construction or shall notify the permit holder or his or her agent of any violations which must be corrected in order to comply with the technical codes. The building official shall determine the timing and sequencing of when inspections occur and what elements are inspected at each inspection.

Building

1.

Foundation inspection. To be made after trenches are excavated and forms erected and shall at a minimum include the following building components:

• Stem-wall

• Monolithic slab-on-grade

• Piling/pile caps

• Footers/grade beams

1.1.

In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor, including basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the elevation certification shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.

1.2

Slab Inspection: To be made after the reinforcement is in place, all concealed conduit, piping, ducts and vents are installed and the electrical, plumbing and mechanical work is complete. Slab shall not be poured until all required inspections have been made and passed. A survey prepared and certified by a registered surveyor shall be required for all new construction prior to approval of the first required inspection after the slab inspection. The survey shall certify placement of the building on the site, illustrate all surrounding setback dimensions and shall be available at the job site for review by the building inspector.

2.

Framing inspection. To be made after the roof, all framing, fireblocking and bracing is in place, all concealing wiring, all pipes, chimneys, ducts and vents are complete and shall at a minimum include the following building components:

• Window/door framing

• Vertical cells/columns

• Lintel/tie beams

• Framing/trusses/bracing/connectors (including truss layout and engineered drawings)

• Draft stopping/fire blocking

• Curtain wall framing

• Energy insulation

• Accessibility

• Verify rough opening dimensions are within tolerances.

2.1

Insulation Inspection: To be made after the framing inspection is approved and the insulation is in place.

3.

Sheathing inspection. To be made either as part of a dry-in inspection or done separately at the request of the contractor after all roof and wall sheathing and fasteners are complete and shall at a minimum include the following building components:

• Roof sheathing

• Wall sheathing/cladding

• Sheathing fasteners

• Roof/wall dry-in

• window/door buck attachment

4.

Roofing inspection. Shall at a minimum include the following building components:

• Dry-in

• Insulation

• Roof coverings

• Flashing

5.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy.

5.1.

In flood hazard areas, as part of the final inspection, a final certification of the lowest floor elevation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.

6.

Swimming pool inspection. The first inspection is to be made after excavation and installation of reinforcing steel, bonding and main drain and prior to placing of concrete shell. The second inspection will be an electrical grounding and bonding inspection. The third will be an underground plumbing inspection including a pressure test. The final inspection is to be made when the swimming pool is complete and all required enclosure requirements are in place. In order to pass final inspection and receive a certificate of completion, a residential swimming pool must meet the requirements relating to pool safety features as described in Section 454.2.17.

7.

Demolition inspections. First inspection to be made after all utility connections have been disconnected and secured in such manner that no unsafe or unsanitary conditions shall exist during or after demolition operations. Final inspection to be made after all demolition work is completed.

8.

Manufactured building inspections. The building department shall inspect construction of foundations; connecting buildings to foundations; installation of parts identified on plans as site installed items, joining the modules, including utility cross-overs; utility connections from the building to utility lines on site; and any other work done on site which requires compliance with the Florida Building Code. Additional inspections may be required for public educational facilities (see Section 453.27.20 of this code).

9.

Where impact-resistant coverings or impact-resistant systems are installed, the building official shall schedule adequate inspections of impact-resistant coverings or impact-resistant systems to determine the following:

• The system indicated on the plans was installed.

• The system is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions and the product approval.

Electrical

1.

Underground inspection. To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, conduit or cable installed, and before any backfill is put in place.

2.

Rough-in inspection. To be made after the roof, framing, fireblocking and bracing is in place and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.

3.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is complete, all required electrical fixtures are in place and properly connected or protected, and the structure is ready for occupancy.

4.

Existing Swimming Pools. To be made after all repairs or alterations are complete, all required electrical equipment, GFCI protection, and equipotential bonding are in place on said alterations or repairs.

5.

Temporary poles.

Plumbing

1.

Underground inspection. To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place.

2.

Rough-in inspection. To be made after the roof, framing, fireblocking and bracing is in place and all soil, waste and vent piping is complete, and prior to this installation of wall or ceiling membranes.

3.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is complete, all plumbing fixtures are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy.

Note: See Section 312 of the Florida Building Code, Plumbing for required tests.

Mechanical

1.

Underground inspection. To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, underground duct and fuel piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place.

2.

Rough-in inspection. To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and all ducting, and other concealed components are complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.

3.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is complete, the mechanical system is in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy.

Gas

1.

Rough piping inspection. To be made after all new piping authorized by the permit has been installed, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixtures or gas appliances have been connected.

2.

Final piping inspection. To be made after all piping authorized by the permit has been installed and after all portions which are to be concealed by plastering or otherwise have been so concealed, and before any fixtures or gas appliances have been connected. This inspection shall include a pressure test.

3.

Final inspection. To be made on all new gas work authorized by the permit and such portions of existing systems as may be affected by new work or any changes, to ensure compliance with all the requirements of this code and to assure that the installation and construction of the gas system is in accordance with reviewed plans.

Site Debris

1.

The contractor and/or owner of any active or inactive construction project shall be responsible for the clean-up and removal of all construction debris or any other miscellaneous discarded articles prior to receiving final inspection approval. Construction job sites must be kept clean, such that accumulation of construction debris must not remain on the property for a period of time exceeding 14 days.

2.

All debris shall be kept in such a manner as to prevent it from being spread by any means.

Underground Utilities

1.

Storm sewer piping inspection.

2.

Storm manhole/catch basin inspection.

3.

Sewer piping inspection.

4.

Water piping inspection.

5.

Sewer manhole inspection.

6.

Lift station inspection.

7.

Electrical conduit and boxes inspection.

8.

Transformer pad inspection.

Insulation Inspection

To be made after the framing inspection is approved and the insulation is in place.

110.3.1 Footing and foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ASTM C 94, the concrete need not be on the job.

[A] 110.3.2 Concrete slab and under-floor inspection. Concrete slab and under-floor inspections shall be made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor. Have to add.

[A] 110.3.3 Reinforcing steel and structural frames. Reinforcing steel or structural frame work of any part of any building or structure shall not be covered or concealed without first obtaining a release from the Building Official.

[A] 110.3.4 Frame inspection. Reserved.

[A] 110.3.5 Lath, gypsum board and gypsum panel product inspection. Lath, gypsum board and gypsum panel product inspections shall be made after lathing, gypsum board and gypsum panel products, interior and exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board and gypsum panel product joints and fasteners are taped and finished.

Exception: Gypsum board and gypsum panel products that are not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or a shear assembly.

[A] 110.3.6 Fire- and smoke-resistant penetrations. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved.

[A] 110.3.7 Energy efficiency inspections. Inspections shall be made to determine compliance with Chapter 13 and shall include, but not be limited to, inspections for: envelope insulation R- and U-values, fenestration U-value, duct system R-value, and HVAC and water-heating equipment efficiency.

[A] 110.3.8 Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in Sections 110.3 through 110.3.7, the building official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the Growth Management Department.

[A] 110.3.9 Special inspections. For special inspections, see Section 1704.

[A] 110.3.10 Final inspection. The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the building permit is completed.

[A] 110.3.10.1 Flood hazard documentation. Reserved.

110.3.11 Termites. Building components and building surroundings required to be protected from termite damage in accordance with Section 1503.7, Section 2304.12.9 or Section 2304.12.4, specifically required to be inspected for termites in accordance with Section 2114, or required to have chemical soil treatment in accordance with Section 1816 shall not be covered or concealed until the release from the building official has been received.

110.3.12 Impact-resistant coverings or systems. Where impact-resistant coverings or systems are installed to meet requirements of this code, the building official shall schedule adequate inspections of impact-resistant coverings or systems to determine the following:

1.

The system indicated on the plans was installed.

2.

The system is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions and the product approval.

[A] 110.4 Inspection agencies. The building official is authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided such agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability.

[A] 110.5 Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the building official when work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access to and means for inspections of such work that are required by this code.

[A] 110.6 Approval required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official. The building official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the building official.

110.7 Shoring. For threshold buildings, shoring and associated formwork or falsework shall be designed and inspected by a Florida licensed professional engineer prior to any required mandatory inspections by the threshold building inspector.

110.8 Threshold building.

110.8.1 The enforcing agency shall require a special inspector to perform structural inspections on a threshold building pursuant to a structural inspection plan prepared by the engineer or architect of record. The structural inspection plan must be submitted to the enforcing agency prior to the issuance of a building permit for the construction of a threshold building. The purpose of the structural inspection plans is to provide specific inspection procedures and schedules so that the building can be adequately inspected for compliance with the permitted documents.

The special inspector may not serve as a surrogate in carrying out the responsibilities of the building official, the architect, or the engineer of record. The contractor's contractual or statutory obligations are not relieved by any action of the special inspector.

110.8.2 The special inspector shall determine that a professional engineer who specializes in shoring design has inspected the shoring and reshoring for conformance with the shoring and reshoring plans submitted to the enforcing agency. A fee simple title owner of a building, which does not meet the minimum size, height, occupancy, occupancy classification, or number-of-stories criteria which would result in classification as a threshold building under § 553.71(7), Florida Statutes may designate such building as a threshold building, subject to more than the minimum number of inspections required by the Florida Building Code.

110.8.3 The fee owner of a threshold building shall select and pay all costs of employing a special inspector, but the special inspector shall be responsible to the enforcement agency. The inspector shall be a person certified, licensed or registered under Chapter 471, Florida Statutes, as an engineer or under Chapter 481, Florida Statutes, as an architect.

110.8.4 Each enforcement agency shall require that, on every threshold building:

110.8.4.1 The special inspector, upon completion of the building and prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, file a signed and sealed statement with the enforcement agency in substantially the following form: "To the best of my knowledge and belief, the above described construction of all structural load-bearing components complies with the permitted documents, and the shoring and reshoring conforms to the shoring and reshoring plans submitted to the enforcement agency."

110.8.4.2 Any proposal to install an alternate structural product or system to which building codes apply be submitted to the enforcement agency for review for compliance with the codes and made part of the enforcement agency's recorded set of permit documents.

110.8.4.3 All shoring and reshoring procedures, plans and details be submitted to the enforcement agency for recordkeeping. Each shoring and reshoring installation shall be supervised, inspected and certified to be in compliance with the shoring documents by the contractor.

110.8.4.4 All plans for the building which are required to be signed and sealed by the architect or engineer of record contain a statement that, to the best of the architect's or engineer's knowledge, the plans and specifications comply with the applicable minimum building codes and the applicable fire-safety standards as determined by the local authority in accordance with this section and Chapter 633, Florida Statutes.

110.8.5 No enforcing agency may issue a building permit for construction of any threshold building except to a licensed general contractor, as defined in Section 489.105(3)(a), Florida Statutes, or to a licensed building contractor, as defined in Section 489.105(3)(b), Florida Statutes, within the scope of her or his license. The named contractor to whom the building permit is issued shall have the responsibility for supervision, direction, management and control of the construction activities on the project for which the building permit was issued.

110.8.6 The Growth Management Department may allow a special inspector to conduct the minimum structural inspection of threshold buildings required by this code, Section 553.73, Florida Statutes, without duplicative inspection by the building department. The building official is responsible for ensuring that any person conducting inspections is qualified as a building inspector under Part XII of Chapter 468, Florida Statutes, or certified as a special inspector under Chapter 471 or 481, Florida Statutes. Inspections of threshold buildings required by Section 553.79(5), Florida Statutes, are in addition to the minimum inspections required by this code.

SECTION 111 CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND COMPLETION

[A] 111.1 Use and occupancy. A building or structure shall not be used or occupied, and a change in the existing use or occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall not be made, until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction.

Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits in accordance with Section 105.2.

[A] 111.2 Certificate issued. After the building official inspects the building or structure and does not find violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that are enforced by the Growth Management Department, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy that contains the following:

1.

The building permit number.

2.

The address of the structure.

3.

The name and address of the owner or the owner's authorized agent.

4.

A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.

5.

A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this code for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified.

6.

For buildings and structures in flood hazard areas, a statement that documentation of the as-built lowest floor elevation has been provided and is retained in the records of the authority having jurisdiction.

7.

The name of the building official.

8.

The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.

9.

The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3.

10.

The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6.

11.

The design occupant load.

12.

If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required.

13.

Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.

111.2.1 Certificate not issued. If a certificate of occupancy is not issued within 180 days from the final inspection, the building permit becomes null and void. The permit will have to be repurchased at the full cost of the original building permit fee.

[A] 111.3 Temporary occupancy. The building official is authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The building official shall set a time period during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid.

[A] 111.4 Revocation. The building official is authorized to, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy or completion issued under the provisions of this code wherever the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or where it is determined that the building or structure or portion thereof is in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code.

111.5 Certificate of completion. A certificate of completion is proof that a structure or system is complete and for certain types of permits is released for use and may be connected to a utility system. This certificate does not grant authority to occupy a building, such as shell building, prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

SECTION 112 SERVICE UTILITIES

[A] 112.1 Connection of service utilities. A person shall not make connections from a utility, source of energy, fuel or power to any building or system that is regulated by this code for which a permit is required, until released by the building official.

[A] 112.2 Temporary connection. The building official shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of the building or system to the utility, source of energy, fuel or power.

[A] 112.3 Authority to disconnect service utilities. The building official shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system regulated by this code and the referenced codes and standards set forth in Section 101.4 in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property or where such utility connection has been made without the approval required by Section 112.1 or 112.2.

The building official shall notify the serving utility, and wherever possible the owner and occupant of the building, structure or service system of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnecting, the owner or occupant of the building, structure or service system shall be notified in writing, as soon as practical thereafter.

SECTION 113 CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS

113.1 Appointment. There may be established a board to be called the Okaloosa County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals, which should consist of nine members but not less than seven. The Board shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

113.2 Membership and terms.

113.2.1 Membership. The Okaloosa County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals should be composed of two (2) division I contractors, one (1) electrical contractor, one (1) mechanical contractor, one (1) plumbing contractor, (1) architect, (1) engineer and two (2) members of the general public whenever possible. A board member shall not act in a case in which he has a personal or financial interest.

113.2.2 Terms. The terms of office of the board members shall be staggered so no more than 1/3 of the board is appointed or replaced in any 12 month period. The staggering shall be as follows: the initial term of one (1) of the division I contractors, the electrical contractor, and the mechanical contractor shall be one (1) year; the initial term of the remaining division I contractor, the plumbing contractor, and one (1) member of the general public shall be two (2) years; the initial term of the architect, the engineer, and the remaining member of the general public shall be three (3) years. After the initial term has lapsed, the term in office of each member shall be three (3) years. Membership shall automatically renew unless the member declines to renew or is removed due to repeated absences from required meetings. Vacancies shall be filled for an un-expired term in the manner in which original appointments are required to be made. Continued absence of any member from required meetings of the board shall, at the discretion of the applicable governing body, render any such member subject to immediate removal from office.

113.2.3 Quorum and voting. A simple majority of the board shall constitute a quorum. In varying any provision of this code, the affirmative votes of the majority present, but not less than three affirmative votes, shall be required. In modifying a decision of the building official, not less than four affirmative votes, but not less than a majority of the board, shall be required.

113.2.4 Secretary of board. A person shall be appointed by the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management and shall make a detailed record of all of its proceedings, which shall set forth the reasons for its decision, the vote of each member, the absence of a member and any failure of a member to vote.

113.3 Powers. The Okaloosa County Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall have the power to hear appeals of decisions and interpretations of the building official and consider variances of the technical codes.

113.4 Appeals.

113.4.1 Decision of the building official. The owner of a building, structure or service system, or his duly authorized agent, may appeal a decision of the building official to the Okaloosa County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals whenever any one of the following conditions are claimed to exist:

1.

The building official rejected or refused to approve the mode or manner of construction proposed to be followed or materials to be used in the installation or alteration of a building, structure or service system.

2.

The provisions of this code do not apply to this specific case.

3.

That an equally good or more desirable form of installation can be employed in any specific case.

4.

The true intent and meaning of this code or any of the regulations there under have been misconstrued or incorrectly interpreted.

113.4.3 Notice of appeal. Notice of appeal shall be in writing and filed within 30 calendar days after the decision is rendered by the building official. Appeals shall be in a form acceptable to the building official. Appeals relating to provisions of the Florida Building Code, other than local amendments, may be appealed to the Florida Building Commission, pursuant to section 120.569 Florida Statutes, regarding the local governments action. Notice of Administrative Rights may be obtained from the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management.

113.4.4 Unsafe or dangerous buildings or service systems. In the case of a building, structure or service system which, in the opinion of the building official, is unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous, the building official may, in his order, limit the time for such appeals to a shorter period.

113.5 Procedures of the Board.

113.5.1 Rules and regulations. The board shall establish rules and regulations for its own procedure not inconsistent with the provisions of this code. The board shall meet on call of the chairman. The board shall meet within 30 calendar days after notice of appeal has been received.

113.5.2 Decisions. The Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals shall, in every case, reach a decision without unreasonable or unnecessary delay. Each decision of the board shall also include the reasons for the decision. If a decision of the board reverses or modifies a refusal, order, or disallowance of the building official or varies the application of any provision of this code, the building official shall immediately take action in accordance with such decision. Every decision shall be promptly filed in writing in the office of the building official and shall be open to public inspection. A certified copy of the decision shall be sent by mail or otherwise to the appellant and a copy shall be kept publicly posted in the office of the building official for two weeks after filing. Every decision of the board shall be final, subject however to such remedy as any aggrieved party might have at law or in equity. The decisions of the Okaloosa County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals must be appealed to the local Circuit Court. This appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days of the ruling by the Okaloosa County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals.

SECTION 114 VIOLATIONS

114.1 Any person, firm, corporation or agent who shall violate a provision of this code, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, or who shall erect, construct, alter, install, demolish or move any structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, or has erected, constructed, altered, repaired, moved or demolished a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, in violation of a detailed statement or drawing submitted and permitted there under, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. Each such person shall be considered guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this code is committed or continued. Upon conviction of any such violation such person shall be punished within the limits as provided by law and local ordinance.

SECTION 115 STOP WORK ORDER

[A] 115.1 Authority. Where the building official finds any work regulated by this code being performed in a manner either contrary to the provisions of this code or dangerous or unsafe, the building official is authorized to issue a stop work order.

[A] 115.2 Issuance. The stop work order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property involved, the owner's authorized agent or the person performing the work. Upon issuance of a stop work order, the cited work shall immediately cease. The stop work order shall state the reason for the order and the conditions under which the cited work will be permitted to resume. Where an immediate threat to life, health, or safety emergency exists, the Building Official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping work.

[A] 115.3 Unlawful continuance. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law.

SECTION 116 UNSAFE STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT

Unsafe Buildings shall be abated according to the provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code 2006 edition, promulgated by the International Code Council, Inc., subject to all amendments, modifications or deletions hereinafter contained.

SECTION 117 VARIANCES IN FLOOD HAZARD AREAS

117.1 Flood hazard areas. Pursuant to Section 553.73(5), Florida Statutes, the variance procedures adopted in the local floodplain management ordinance shall apply to requests submitted to the building official for variances to the provisions of Section 1612.4 of the Florida Building Code, Building or, as applicable, the provisions of Section R322 of the Florida Building Code, Residential. This section shall not apply to Section 3109 of the Florida Building Code, Building.

SECTION 118 SEVERABILITY

118.1 If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

(Ord. No. 12-08, § 6, 3-6-12; Ord. No. 15-13 , § 3, 7-7-15; Ord. No. 18-04 , § 4, 2-20-18)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 12-08, § 6, adopted March 6, 2012, repealed the former § 6-133, and enacted a new § 6-133 as set out herein. The former § 6-133 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 09-20, adopted October 6, 2009.