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Building Department Forms - Questions & Answers

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1. The Permit Application is two pages (or may be printed with both sides on one page). Do I need to fill out both sheets?

No. The first page is to be filled out by the licensed contractor (or by the property owner if the permit is Owner-Builder) when applying for a permit. If the scope of the job is such that licensed subcontractors must also provide labor and materials, each subcontractor must apply for a subpermit by using either another first page or by filling out the appropriate section of the second page when the general contractor has completed the first.

2. What is the purpose of the Notice of Commencement form?

A certified copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement must be submitted to the Building Division prior to the first inspection for permitted work where the direct contract is greater than $2,500, or in the case of existing heating or A/C equipment replacement, greater than $7,500. For more information, please see the Overview of the Construction Lien Law Posted on this site.

3. What information is required when I want to change contractors?

Broward County Administrative Provisions, Section 104.9.4 sets forth the requirements for notification of all interested parties, and for protection of public employees from legal ramifications in the event of a change of contractor. If a building permit has been issued to a contractor who is unwilling or unable to complete the contract, another permit may subsequently be issued to another contractor. The Change of Contractor form must be filled out and signed where required. Along with this, you must also submit proof of certified mail to the contractor of notification that he is no longer the qualifier for the job, and a new permit application from the new contractor. See also Florida Statutes 489.126 for further information.

4. Who can complete the Change-of-Plan Cover Sheet?

The individual “in responsible charge” of running the construction project should complete this form. The accuracy of this form and the documents submitted will enhance the possibility for quick turn-around by all plans examiners.

5. When do I need to fill out an Owner-Builder Exemption form?

The completed Owner-Builder Exemption form must be submitted with any Owner-Builder Permit Application

6. When is the Product Approval Schedule/Comparison Chart submitted?

The Florida Building Code mandates that all components in the Building Envelope must be products which are “approved” for use as shown on your plans. This Schedule is to be completed for all new construction, including remodeling, in which windows, doors, skylights, vents, and other products are to be incorporated into the exterior walls and/or roof of a building. Each product must be an “approved” product as outlined by the Florida Building Code; information can be found at floridabuilding.org. All products must also be approved for use by your Architect or Engineer of Record, and the Tested Pressure of each product (size-specific) must meet or exceed the Design Pressure specified by the A/E of Record. This addendum to your permit plans, consisting of this Schedule and all referenced product approval documentation, must be submitted early in the construction process, usually before the Tie Beam inspection can be scheduled, and must be approved by our plans examiner prior to the installation of the referenced products.

7. What is a Homeowner Survey Affidavit, and when is it required?

A survey which is submitted as part of a permit application should be no more than one year old. It must show all existing structures, easements, and rights-of-way. The Homeowner Survey Affidavit enables the homeowner to attest that the existing survey does show all required data, and it is required to be submitted with any survey which is more than one year old.

8. When do I need to submit the A/C & Mechanical Replacement Information Form?

Two copies of this summary sheet must be submitted with a permit application for the replacement of Air Conditioning equipment.

9. New Pools, and Pools completed on or after October 1, 2000:

New pools, and pools which had not received a final inspection until October 1, 2000, are governed by the Pool Safety Act, which has been fine-tuned and is now incorporated within the Florida Building Code.

The Pool Safety Act requirements are as stringent as they are complex. The basic requirement is that any new pool must be built with protection by means of fence, screen enclosure, alarms, baby barrier, or a combination of these components which serves to provide a barrier to entrance to the pool from all directions, for 360 degrees around the pool.

424.2.17 Residential swimming barrier requirement, a part of the Florida Building Code, may be accessed online at http://www.floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx then selecting Florida Building Code 2007, the Building volume, Chapter 4, Section 424.2.17.

Existing Pools Completed After May 22, 1996 But Before September 30, 2000:
On May 22, 1996, the City passed a fence ordinance requiring a minimum 4’-high fence, with self-closing, self-locking gate(s), or a screen enclosure, around any pool which had not yet been completed, or for which the final inspection had not yet been approved. However, there is an exception for a property located on a waterway: no fence is required along the plot line(s) bounded by water. And, exempted from these enclosure requirements are pools located in A-1, AE-1, and AE-2 zoning districts, such as Tall Pines, Pinetree Estates, and the Ranches.

City Ordinance 22-88(6) may be found among the ordinances posted at municode.com, or by following the link on the City website cityofparkland.org.

Existing Pools Completed Prior To May 22, 1996: There were no code-mandated requirements for a new pool completed prior to May 22, 1996 to have a fence or screen enclosure.