Building Inspections
Building Inspection Reports
Reports are issued weekly and published online for citizen and business perusal. Also, you can view the yearly new construction reports.
Important Phone Numbers
Inspection Requests: 850-891-1800
Permit Information: 850-891-7125
Signs: 850-891-7050
Water & Sewer: 850-891-7064
Also, learn more about our Interactive Voice Response System to get building inspections done faster!
What are the construction codes enforced by the City of Tallahassee?
Effective March 1, 2009
The following codes are adopted by the State of Florida and are applicable to all designs for new and altered structures in the City of Tallahassee.
| Florida Building Code, Building (FBC-B)* | 2007 Edition (with 2009 Supplements) |
|---|---|
| Florida Building Code, Mechanical (FBC-M) | 2007 Edition (with 2009 Supplements) |
| Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas (FBC-FG) | 2007 Edition (with 2009 Supplements) |
| Florida Building Code, Plumbing (FBC-P) | 2007 Edition (with 2009 Supplements) |
| Florida Building Code, Existing Building (FBC-EB) | 2007 Edition (with 2009 Supplements) |
| Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC) | 2007 Edition |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2008 Edition |
*The following are contained within the FBC-B: (no need to list separately)
Chapter 11, Part A is the Florida Accessibility Code
Chapter 11, Part B is the Fair Housing Section that pertains to apartments/ condominiums structures.
Chapter 13, Energy Efficiency Please note: This section is also included in the FBC-M.
Additional Requirements (PDF)
In addition to the above listed codes, include the information (per FBC-B) on title sheet as found on the attached link.
Can anyone build their own residence?
Yes. You can obtain permits for and construct your own residence as long as the following criteria as stated in Florida Statute, Chapter 489, Section 489.103(7) as follows:
Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors, when building or improving farm outbuildings or one-family or two-family residences on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease, or building or improving commercial buildings, at a cost not to exceed $75,000, on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease. In an action brought under this part, proof of the sale or lease, or offering for sale or lease, of any such structure by the owner-builder within 1 year after completion of same creates a presumption that the construction was undertaken for purposes of sale or lease. This subsection does not exempt any person who is employed by or has a contract with such owner and who acts in the capacity of a contractor. The owner may not delegate the owner's responsibility to directly supervise all work to any other person unless that person is registered or certified under this part and the work being performed is within the scope of that person's license. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "owners of property" includes the owner of a mobile home situated on a leased lot. To qualify for exemption under this subsection, an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application. The local permitting agency shall provide the person with a disclosure statement in substantially the following form.
Disclosure Statement
State law requires construction 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 contractor with certain restrictions even though you do not have a license. You must provide direct, onsite supervision of the construction yourself. You may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence or a farm outbuilding. You may also build or improve a commercial building, provided your costs do not exceed $75,000. The building or residence must be for your own use or occupancy. It may not be built or substantially improved for sale or lease. If you sell or lease a building you have built or substantially improved yourself within 1 year after the construction is complete, the law will presume that you built or substantially improved it for sale or lease, which is a violation of this exemption. You may not hire an unlicensed person to act as your contractor or to supervise people working on your building. 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. You may not delegate the responsibility for supervising work to a licensed contractor who is not licensed to perform the work being done. Any person working on your building who is not licensed must work under your direct supervision and must be employed by you, which means that you must deduct F.I.C.A. and withholding tax and provide workers' compensation for that employee, all as prescribed by law. Your construction must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations.
Related Links
- Building Officials Association of Florida - www.boaf.net
- International Code Council - www.iccsafe.org
- Florida Building Commission - http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/index.htm
- ICC International Accreditation Service (IAS) - www.iasonline.org