§ 6-134. Building permits and fees.

(a)

Definitions. Except as provided herein, the terms and phrases used in this section shall have that definition assigned in the Florida Building Codes and National Electrical Code in force and effect throughout Florida as provided by the Florida Building Code Commission and Florida Statutes. Terms and phrases not defined in the Florida Building Codes, National Electrical Code, or related statutes shall be ascribed that meaning they have in common usage which most clearly implements the intent of this section.

(b)

A permit is required when:

(1)

An owner, authorized agent or contractor desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure. As used herein, the term building means a roofed and/or walled structure enclosing a space used for sheltering any occupancy. As used herein, a structure is anything constructed or erected with fixed location on the ground, measuring 30 inches above natural grade. A structure may be a building, deck, sign, billboard, liquid storage tank, antenna or tower.

(2)

An owner, authorized agent or contractor desires to erect, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes.

(3)

Each underground utility system will require plans, permitting and inspection by the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management, Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department and Okaloosa County Public Works Department.

(c)

Permit, plan review, inspection, and miscellaneous fees.

(1)

Fees and other charges to be collected for the permits, plan review, inspection, and other miscellaneous fees associated with building, shall be in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by resolution of the board of county commissioners. Such resolution may also include fees associated with other building and construction matters.

(d)

Work commencing prior to permit issuance. Any person commencing any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing or underground utility system before obtaining the necessary permit(s) shall be subject to a penalty of 100 percent of the usual permit fee in addition to the required permit fees.

(e)

Building permit valuation. If, in the opinion of the building official, the value of a building, alteration, or structure appears to be underestimated on a permit application, the permit may be denied or recalculated, unless the applicant can show detailed cost estimates which meet the approval of the building official.

(f)

Compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances. In all construction matters, the permit holder and owner are responsible for compliance with all the codes and ordinances adopted by Okaloosa County.

(g)

Surcharges and other fees. In addition to the fees provided above, Okaloosa County applies state surcharges (e.g., the radon fee pursuant to Sections 468.631 and 553.721, Florida Statutes) and other non-county fees (e.g., credit card service charges) as required by law or contract.

(Ord. No. 10-09, § 3, 9-7-10; Ord. No. 10-15, § 2, 10-12-10; Ord. No. 15-13 , § 5, 7-7-15; Ord. No. 17-11 , § 2, 6-6-17; Ord. No. 18-04 , § 5, 2-20-18)