Before breaking ground on a project, you’ll need to first navigate the South Florida permitting process.

While this process’s reputation precedes itself, taking the time to commit to thorough planning during pre-construction and partnering with an experienced and trusted local general contractor will make this arduous task go much more smoothly.

Before even getting started, one of the most important things to remember about the building permit process in South Florida is that every county and municipality has different rules, codes, and requirements. That amounts to nearly 100 municipalities in the collective Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. While there will be certain similarities in the application processes, at Seacoast Construction, we can help you facilitate the permitting and requirement needs specific to your project and location with ease.

6 key items you need to get started with a commercial building permit

• Permit application – Forms and required details vary but commonly require you to include specific items like your folio number, which can be found on a property tax statement, contact information for key stakeholders, and the type of permits required, among other things.
• Proof of ownership – This could include a tax receipt or other proof of ownership; however, it’s important to be aware that the entity owner is the one who has to ultimately sign the application. This can at times be challenging when entities have different ownerships and send a liaison to do the work since the liaison is not authorized to sign the permit. Contractor and general building information are also needed.
• Multiple sets of plans – These include site/plot plans, floor plans dictating the location of plumbing and electrical fixtures, mechanical plans elevations, electrical service panel, cross sections of structural walls with details of materials and fasteners, roof framing plan, and other detailed specifics that require a collaborative effort between architects, engineers, and contractors to pull together.
• Energy calculations – Energy calculations, which may be included in the previously mentioned site plan documentation, are required to show how the design will be constructed in compliance with the Florida Building Code. It must be signed, dated, and sealed by a Florida registered architect or engineer.
• NOA paperwork – This paperwork is generally needed up front in the application process to ensure that the windows, exterior doors, and roofing products are approved to meet exterior wind load code requirements.
• The permit fee – Payment will be required upon application with additional fees to be paid if revisions to the application are needed. Worth noting is that some jurisdictions allow for an “expedited” process that allows your application to be put in front of the review line for an additional fee. Additionally, jurisdictions may also offer applicants an option to pay additional fees in order to get their application put in front of reviewers who are willing to work overtime hours, thereby expediting the process. In certain situations, and when allowed, these fees may be helpful to pay when the timelines are particularly tight on a project.

As a bonus item, you might also want to budget ahead for a little extra patience as the permitting process can be lengthy and can take even longer if you don’t get the application right the first time.

This is all the more reason to turn to the experienced and trusted team at Seacoast Construction. We know the permitting process is complex, but that’s why we plan extensively for it and build it into our pre-construction process. If you have questions about securing permits in South Florida, give us a call at 786-433-8740.