Florida 2025 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0695 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
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3	3	HB 695 2025
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7	7	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
8	8	hb695-00
9	9	Page 1 of 50
10	10	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
11	11
12	12
13	13
14	14	A bill to be entitled 1
15	15	An act relating to private provider building 2
16	16	inspection services; amending s. 468.605, F.S.; 3
17	17	requiring that the Florida Building Code 4
18	18	Administrators and Inspectors Board include a 5
19	19	specified number of members who are private providers 6
20	20	or who are employed by private provider firms; 7
21	21	amending s. 553.74, F.S.; requiring that the Florida 8
22	22	Building Commission include a specified number of 9
23	23	members who are private providers or who are employed 10
24	24	by private provider firms and a specified number of 11
25	25	members who are licens ed contractors that use private 12
26	26	providers or private provider firms; encouraging the 13
27	27	Private Provider Association of Florida to recommend a 14
28	28	list of candidates for consideration; amending s. 15
29	29	553.791, F.S.; revising and defining terms; requiring 16
30	30	that building code inspection services provided by a 17
31	31	private provider be the subject of an agreement, 18
32	32	rather than a written contract, between the provider 19
33	33	or provider's firm and the fee owner or fee owner's 20
34	34	contractor; requiring that a reduced permit fee not 21
35	35	exceed certain costs incurred by the local 22
36	36	jurisdiction; prohibiting a local jurisdiction from 23
37	37	charging additional fees, including an administrative 24
38	38	fee, for building inspections if the fee owner or 25
39	39
40	40	HB 695 2025
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42	42
43	43
44	44	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
45	45	hb695-00
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47	47	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
48	48
49	49
50	50
51	51	contractor hires a private provider to perform such 26
52	52	services; requiring a local jurisdiction to 27
53	53	immediately provide certain persons equal access to 28
54	54	all permitting and inspection documents and reports 29
55	55	under certain circumstances; revising the information 30
56	56	a fee owner or a fee owner's contractor must provide 31
57	57	to a local building official; revising conditions 32
58	58	under which a fee owner or fee owner's contractor is 33
59	59	authorized to use a private provider to provide 34
60	60	inspection services; revising the timeframe within 35
61	61	which a fee owner or a fee owner's contractor must 36
62	62	notify the local building official of the owner's or 37
63	63	contractor's intention to use a private provider; 38
64	64	prohibiting a local building official from performing 39
65	65	specified reviews of plans, drawings, or other related 40
66	66	documents determined by a private provider to be in 41
67	67	compliance with applicable codes; removing a provision 42
68	68	requiring a local building official to issue a 43
69	69	requested permit or provide a specified notice within 44
70	70	a certain timeframe; authorizing a local building 45
71	71	official to review certain forms and documents only 46
72	72	for completeness; requiring a local building official 47
73	73	to send written notice of incomplete forms or 48
74	74	documents within a specified timeframe; requiring the 49
75	75	local building official to issue a permit by the next 50
76	76
77	77	HB 695 2025
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79	79
80	80
81	81	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
82	82	hb695-00
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84	84	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
85	85
86	86
87	87
88	88	business day if the local building official fails to 51
89	89	provide a specified notice within a specified 52
90	90	timeframe; requiring that a duly authorized 53
91	91	representative be managed, rather than employed, by a 54
92	92	private provider to receive specified benefits; 55
93	93	removing a requirement that a private provider 56
94	94	performing required inspections provide notice to the 57
95	95	local building official of the approximate date and 58
96	96	time of specified inspections; removing a provision 59
97	97	prohibiting a local building official from preventing 60
98	98	a private provider from performing any inspection 61
99	99	outside a certain timeframe; removing a provision 62
100	100	authorizing a local building official to visit a 63
101	101	building site as often as necessary to verify that a 64
102	102	private provider is performing required inspections; 65
103	103	removing a provision authorizing a building department 66
104	104	to satisfy a requirement that a certain deficiency 67
105	105	notice be posted; revising the reinspection fees that 68
106	106	a local jurisdiction is prohibited from charging; 69
107	107	prohibiting a local building official from visiting a 70
108	108	job site without written approval from the private 71
109	109	provider doing the work on the site; providing that a 72
110	110	local building official is not responsible for the 73
111	111	regulatory administration or supervision of building 74
112	112	code inspection services performed by a private 75
113	113
114	114	HB 695 2025
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116	116
117	117
118	118	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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121	121	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
122	122
123	123
124	124
125	125	provider; providing that certain private providers or 76
126	126	private provider firms are vested with the authority 77
127	127	of, and must serve as, the local building official 78
128	128	with respect to certain inspection services; 79
129	129	prohibiting a local building official from interfering 80
130	130	with the actions or activities of such private 81
131	131	providers or private provider firms; providing that 82
132	132	verification of certain licensure and insurance 83
133	133	requirements is the responsibility of the private 84
134	134	provider firm and that a local building official is 85
135	135	not required to verify compliance or store information 86
136	136	of such verification; removing a requirement that the 87
137	137	local building official, under certain circumstances, 88
138	138	issue a permit within a specified timeframe; revising 89
139	139	a provision authorizing a private provider to perform 90
140	140	emergency inspection services; requiring a pri vate 91
141	141	provider to record specified inspections on forms 92
142	142	provided by the Florida Building Commission, rather 93
143	143	than on forms acceptable to the local building 94
144	144	official; revising timeframes within which a private 95
145	145	provider must provide an inspection record to the 96
146	146	local building official and when the local building 97
147	147	official may waive such requirement; providing that a 98
148	148	private provider is not required to upload notices or 99
149	149	inspection results to a website or portal; requiring a 100
150	150
151	151	HB 695 2025
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153	153
154	154
155	155	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
156	156	hb695-00
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158	158	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
159	159
160	160
161	161
162	162	private provider to prepare a certificat e of 101
163	163	compliance on a form provided by the commission, 102
164	164	rather than on a form acceptable to the local building 103
165	165	official; prohibiting a local building official from 104
166	166	performing building inspections of construction that a 105
167	167	private provider has determined to be c ompliant with 106
168	168	applicable codes; authorizing a local building 107
169	169	official to review specified forms and documents only 108
170	170	for completeness; revising the timeframe within which 109
171	171	a local building official must provide an applicant 110
172	172	with a written certificate of occup ancy or certificate 111
173	173	of completion; authorizing a local building official 112
174	174	to deny a permit or a request for specified 113
175	175	certificates if required forms or documents are 114
176	176	incomplete; providing that a system of registration is 115
177	177	not required for certain duly author ized 116
178	178	representatives; revising the authority of a local 117
179	179	building official to issue a stop -work order; 118
180	180	prohibiting a local building code enforcement agency 119
181	181	to perform certain audits until such agency has 120
182	182	created standard operating procedures; removing an 121
183	183	exception to the limit on the number of times in a 122
184	184	year that a private provider or private provider firm 123
185	185	may be audited; requiring that a private provider or 124
186	186	private provider firm be given notice within a 125
187	187
188	188	HB 695 2025
189	189
190	190
191	191
192	192	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
193	193	hb695-00
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195	195	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
196	196
197	197
198	198
199	199	specified timeframe before being audited; prohibiting 126
200	200	local governments, officials, and personnel from 127
201	201	prohibiting or discouraging the use of a private 128
202	202	provider or a private provider firm; providing that 129
203	203	local governments, officials, and personnel are not 130
204	204	immune from certain liability; authorizing a civil 131
205	205	cause of action for certain damages, relief, and 132
206	206	remedies; authorizing certain private providers to 133
207	207	serve as the local building official and issue 134
208	208	building permits; requiring that all information from 135
209	209	a private provider be provided to the property 136
210	210	appraiser for the county or the jurisdiction; 137
211	211	requiring that drawings be delivered in their original 138
212	212	electronic format; requiring that permits be publicly 139
213	213	available and that their status be available on the 140
214	214	Private Provider Association of Florida website for 141
215	215	specified purposes; authorizing the Private Provider 142
216	216	Association of Florida, or a similar nonprofit 143
217	217	association, to require a fee or subscription to 144
218	218	upload such information to its website or to use an 145
219	219	applications programming interface; requiring a 146
220	220	private provider to update such information within a 147
221	221	specified timeframe under certain circumstances; 148
222	222	requiring that the format of private provider permits 149
223	223	meet a specified standard and include specified 150
224	224
225	225	HB 695 2025
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227	227
228	228
229	229	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
230	230	hb695-00
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232	232	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
233	233
234	234
235	235
236	236	information; providing legislative intent; requiring 151
237	237	that the permitting process be universally adopted as 152
238	238	a standard for this state; prohibiting the use of 153
239	239	certain forms or the use of custom procedures or 154
240	240	standards; authorizing the commission to implement 155
241	241	such permitting processes and review them for 156
242	242	consistency and relevance within a specified 157
243	243	timeframe; reenacting s. 633.216(6), F.S., relating to 158
244	244	inspection of buildings and equipment, orders, 159
245	245	firesafety inspection training requirements, 160
246	246	certification, and disciplinary action, to incorporate 161
247	247	the amendment made to s. 468 .605, F.S., in a reference 162
248	248	thereto; reenacting ss. 177.073(1)(c), 468.603(9), 163
249	249	468.621(1)(i) and (j), 471.033(1)(l), 481.225(1)(l), 164
250	250	553.79(11), and 553.80(7)(a), F.S., relating to 165
251	251	expedited approval of residential building permits 166
252	252	before a final plat is rec orded; definitions; 167
253	253	disciplinary proceedings against building code 168
254	254	administrators and inspectors; disciplinary 169
255	255	proceedings against licensed engineers; disciplinary 170
256	256	proceedings against registered architects; permits, 171
257	257	applications, issuance, and inspections; and 172
258	258	enforcement, respectively, to incorporate the 173
259	259	amendment made to s. 553.791, F.S., in references 174
260	260	thereto; providing an effective date. 175
261	261
262	262	HB 695 2025
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264	264
265	265
266	266	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
267	267	hb695-00
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269	269	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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271	271
272	272
273	273	176
274	274	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 177
275	275	178
276	276	Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 468.605, F lorida 179
277	277	Statutes, is amended to read: 180
278	278	468.605 Florida Building Code Administrators and 181
279	279	Inspectors Board.— 182
280	280	(2) The board shall consist of nine members, as follows: 183
281	281	(a) One member who is an architect licensed pursuant to 184
282	282	chapter 481, an engineer license d pursuant to chapter 471, or a 185
283	283	contractor licensed pursuant to chapter 489. 186
284	284	(b) Two members serving as building code administrators , 187
285	285	one of whom must be a private provider as defined in s. 188
286	286	553.791(1) or be employed by a private provider firm as defined 189
287	287	in s. 553.791(1). 190
288	288	(c) Two members serving as building code inspectors , one 191
289	289	of whom must be a private provider as defined in s. 553.791(1) 192
290	290	or be employed by a private provider firm as defined in s. 193
291	291	553.791(1). 194
292	292	(d) One member serving as a plans examiner. 195
293	293	(e) One member who is a representative of a city or a 196
294	294	charter county. 197
295	295	(f) Two consumer members who are not, and have never been, 198
296	296	members of a profession regulated under this part, chapter 481, 199
297	297	chapter 471, or chapter 489. One of the consumer members m ust be 200
298	298
299	299	HB 695 2025
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301	301
302	302
303	303	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
304	304	hb695-00
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306	306	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
307	307
308	308
309	309
310	310	a person with a disability or a representative of an 201
311	311	organization which represents persons with disabilities. 202
312	312	203
313	313	None of The board members described in paragraph (a) or 204
314	314	paragraph (f) may not be an employee of a municipal, county, or 205
315	315	state governmental agency. 206
316	316	Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 553.74, Florida 207
317	317	Statutes, is amended to read: 208
318	318	553.74 Florida Building Commission. — 209
319	319	(1) The Florida Building Commission is created and located 210
320	320	within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation 211
321	321	for administrative purposes. Members are appointed by the 212
322	322	Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate. The commission 213
323	323	is composed of 23 19 members, consisting of the following 214
324	324	members: 215
325	325	(a) One architect licensed pursuant to chapter 481 with at 216
326	326	least 5 years of experience in the design and construction of 217
327	327	buildings designated for Group E or Group I occupancies by the 218
328	328	Florida Building Code. The American Institute of Architects, 219
329	329	Florida Section, is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates 220
330	330	for consideration. 221
331	331	(b) One structural engineer registered to practice in this 222
332	332	state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 223
333	333	Engineering Society is encouraged to recommend a list of 224
334	334	candidates for consideration. 225
335	335
336	336	HB 695 2025
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338	338
339	339
340	340	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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343	343	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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346	346
347	347	(c) One air-conditioning contractor, mechanical 226
348	348	contractor, or mechanical engineer certified to do business in 227
349	349	this state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 228
350	350	Air Conditioning Contractors Association, the Florida 229
351	351	Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, the 230
352	352	Mechanical Contractors Association of Florida, and the Florida 231
353	353	Engineering Society are encouraged to recommend a list of 232
354	354	candidates for consideration. 233
355	355	(d) One electrical contractor or electrical engineer 234
356	356	certified to do business in this state and actively engaged in 235
357	357	the profession. The Florida Association of Electrical 236
358	358	Contractors; the National Electrical Contractors Association, 237
359	359	Florida Chapter; and the Florida Engineering Society are 238
360	360	encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 239
361	361	(e) One certified general contractor or one certified 240
362	362	building contractor certified to do business in this state and 241
363	363	actively engaged in the pr ofession. The Associated Builders and 242
364	364	Contractors of Florida, the Florida Associated General 243
365	365	Contractors Council, the Florida Home Builders Association, and 244
366	366	the Union Contractors Association are encouraged to recommend a 245
367	367	list of candidates for consideratio n. 246
368	368	(f) One plumbing contractor licensed to do business in 247
369	369	this state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 248
370	370	Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors is 249
371	371	encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 250
372	372
373	373	HB 695 2025
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375	375
376	376
377	377	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
378	378	hb695-00
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380	380	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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383	383
384	384	(g) One roofing or sheet metal contractor certified to do 251
385	385	business in this state and actively engaged in the profession. 252
386	386	The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal, and Air Conditioning 253
387	387	Contractors Association and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning 254
388	388	Contractors' National Association are encouraged to recommend a 255
389	389	list of candidates for consideration. 256
390	390	(h) One certified residential contractor licensed to do 257
391	391	business in this state and actively engaged in the profession. 258
392	392	The Florida Home Builders Association is encouraged to recommend 259
393	393	a list of candidates for consideration. 260
394	394	(i) Three members who are municipal, county, or district 261
395	395	codes enforcement officials, one of whom is also a fire 262
396	396	official. The Building Officials Association of Florida and the 263
397	397	Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association are encouraged 264
398	398	to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 265
399	399	(j) One member of a Florida -based organization of persons 266
400	400	with disabilities or a nationally chartered organization of 267
401	401	persons with disabilities with chapters in th is state which 268
402	402	complies with or is certified to be compliant with the 269
403	403	requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as 270
404	404	amended. 271
405	405	(k) One member of the manufactured buildings industry who 272
406	406	is licensed to do business in this state and is activ ely engaged 273
407	407	in the industry. The Florida Manufactured Housing Association is 274
408	408	encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 275
409	409
410	410	HB 695 2025
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413	413
414	414	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
415	415	hb695-00
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417	417	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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419	419
420	420
421	421	(l) One member of the building products manufacturing 276
422	422	industry who is authorized to do business in this state and is 277
423	423	actively engaged in the industry. The Florida Building Material 278
424	424	Association, the Florida Concrete and Products Association, and 279
425	425	the Fenestration Manufacturers Association are encouraged to 280
426	426	recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 281
427	427	(m) One member who is a representative of the building 282
428	428	owners and managers industry who is actively engaged in 283
429	429	commercial building ownership or management. The Building Owners 284
430	430	and Managers Association is encouraged to recommend a list of 285
431	431	candidates for consideration. 286
432	432	(n) One member who is a representative of the insurance 287
433	433	industry. The Florida Insurance Council is encouraged to 288
434	434	recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 289
435	435	(o) One member who is a swimming pool contractor licensed 290
436	436	to do business in this state a nd actively engaged in the 291
437	437	profession. The Florida Swimming Pool Association and the United 292
438	438	Pool and Spa Association are encouraged to recommend a list of 293
439	439	candidates for consideration. 294
440	440	(p) The Chief Resilience Officer or his or her designee. 295
441	441	(q) One member who is a representative of a natural gas 296
442	442	distribution system and who is actively engaged in the 297
443	443	distribution of natural gas in this state. The Florida Natural 298
444	444	Gas Association is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates 299
445	445	for consideration. 300
446	446
447	447	HB 695 2025
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454	454	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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457	457
458	458	(r) Two members who are private providers as defined in s. 301
459	459	553.791(1) or who are employed by private provider firms as 302
460	460	defined in s. 553.791(1). The Private Provider Association of 303
461	461	Florida is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for 304
462	462	consideration. 305
463	463	(s) Two members who are licensed contractors as defined in 306
464	464	s. 489.105(3) and who utilize private providers as defined in s. 307
465	465	553.791(1) or private provider firms as defined in s. 553.791(1) 308
466	466	for inspections or plan reviews. The Private Provider 309
467	467	Association of Florida is encouraged to recommend a list of 310
468	468	candidates for consideration. 311
469	469	Section 3. Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, is amended 312
470	470	to read: 313
471	471	553.791 Alternative plans review and inspection. — 314
472	472	(1) As used in this section, the term: 315
473	473	(a) "Applicable cod es" means the Florida Building Code and 316
474	474	any local technical amendments to the Florida Building Code but 317
475	475	does not include the applicable minimum fire prevention and 318
476	476	firesafety codes adopted pursuant to chapter 633. 319
477	477	(b) "Audit" means the process to confirm that the building 320
478	478	code inspection services have been performed by the private 321
479	479	provider, including ensuring that the required affidavit for the 322
480	480	plan review has been properly completed and submitted with the 323
481	481	permit documents and that the minimum mandatory i nspections 324
482	482	required under the building code have been performed and 325
483	483
484	484	HB 695 2025
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488	488	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
489	489	hb695-00
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491	491	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
492	492
493	493
494	494
495	495	properly recorded. The local building official may not replicate 326
496	496	the plan review or inspection being performed by the private 327
497	497	provider, unless expressly authorized by this section. 328
498	498	(b)(c) "Building" means any construction, erection, 329
499	499	alteration, demolition, or improvement of, or addition to, any 330
500	500	structure or site work for which permitting by a local 331
501	501	enforcement agency is required. 332
502	502	(c)(d) "Building code inspection services" means those 333
503	503	services described in s. 468.603(5) and (8) involving the review 334
504	504	of building plans as well as those services involving the review 335
505	505	of site plans and site work engineering plans or their 336
506	506	functional equivalent, to determine compliance with applicable 337
507	507	codes and those inspections required by law, conducted either in 338
508	508	person or virtually, of each phase of construction for which 339
509	509	permitting by a local enforcement agency is required to 340
510	510	determine compliance with applicable codes. 341
511	511	(d) "Building official" means a local building official or 342
512	512	a private provider who holds a building code administrator 343
513	513	license. 344
514	514	(e) "Commission" means the Florida Building Commission. 345
515	515	(f) "Deliver" or "delivery" means any method of delivery 346
516	516	used in conventional business or commercial practice, including 347
517	517	delivery by electronic transmissions such as e-mail or any other 348
518	518	form of electronic communication used to transmit information . 349
519	519	(g)(f) "Duly authorized representative" means an agent of 350
520	520
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528	528	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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530	530
531	531
532	532	the private provider identified in the permit application who 351
533	533	reviews plans or performs inspections as provided by this 352
534	534	section and who is licensed as an engineer under chapter 471 or 353
535	535	as an architect under chapter 481 or who holds a standard or 354
536	536	provisional certificate under part XII of chapter 468. A duly 355
537	537	authorized representative who only holds a provisional 356
538	538	certificate under part XII of chapter 468 must be under the 357
539	539	direct supervision of a person licensed as a building code 358
540	540	administrator under part XII of chapter 468. 359
541	541	(h)(g) "Electronic signature" means any letters, 360
542	542	characters, or symbols manifested by electronic or similar means 361
543	543	which are executed or adopted by a party with an intent to 362
544	544	authenticate a writing or record. 363
545	545	(i)(h) "Electronic transmission" or "submitted 364
546	546	electronically" means any form or process of communication not 365
547	547	directly involving the physical transfer of paper or another 366
548	548	tangible medium which is suitable for the retention, retrieval, 367
549	549	and reproduction of information by the recipient and is 368
550	550	retrievable in paper form by the receipt through an automated 369
551	551	process. All notices provided for in this section may be 370
552	552	transmitted electronically and shall have the same legal effect 371
553	553	as if physically posted or mailed. 372
554	554	(j)(i) "Electronically posted" means providing notices of 373
555	555	decisions, results, or records, including inspection records, 374
556	556	through the use of a website or other form of electronic 375
557	557
558	558	HB 695 2025
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560	560
561	561
562	562	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
563	563	hb695-00
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565	565	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
566	566
567	567
568	568
569	569	communication used to transmit or display information. 376
570	570	(k) "Form" means any document or record that has been 377
571	571	adopted by the commission. 378
572	572	(l)(j) "Immediate threat to public safety and welfare" 379
573	573	means a building code violation that, if allowed to persist, 380
574	574	constitutes an immediate hazard that could result in death, 381
575	575	serious bodily injury, or significant property damage. This 382
576	576	paragraph does not limit the authority of the local building 383
577	577	official to issue a Notice of Corrective Action at any time 384
578	578	during the construction of a building project or any portion of 385
579	579	such project if the official determines that a condition of the 386
580	580	building or portion thereof may constitute a hazard when the 387
581	581	building is put into use following completion as long as the 388
582	582	condition cited is shown to be in violation of the building code 389
583	583	or approved plans. 390
584	584	(m)(k) "Local building official" means the individual 391
585	585	within the governing jurisdiction responsible for direct 392
586	586	regulatory administration or supervision of plans review, 393
587	587	enforcement, and inspection of any construction, erection, 394
588	588	alteration, demolition, or substantial improvement of, or 395
589	589	addition to, any structure for which permitting is required to 396
590	590	indicate compliance with applicable codes and includes any duly 397
591	591	authorized designee of such person. 398
592	592	(n) "Management" means the individuals or entities withi n 399
593	593	a private provider firm which are duly authorized to oversee, 400
594	594
595	595	HB 695 2025
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597	597
598	598
599	599	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
600	600	hb695-00
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602	602	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
603	603
604	604
605	605
606	606	direct, and make decisions on behalf of the firm in the conduct 401
607	607	of building inspection and building inspection -related services. 402
608	608	Such individuals or entities may include, but are not limited 403
609	609	to, the following: 404
610	610	1. Executive officers who hold senior positions within the 405
611	611	firm, such as the president, chief executive officer, chief 406
612	612	operating officer, chief financial officer, or other designated 407
613	613	executive who is responsible for the overall strategi c direction 408
614	614	and operational management of the firm. 409
615	615	2. Authorized representatives who have been officially 410
616	616	designated by the executive officers to act on behalf of the 411
617	617	private provider firm. An authorized representative must have 412
618	618	documented authorization to submit inspection reports, 413
619	619	correspond with regulatory authorities, and perform other 414
620	620	necessary duties as required by law or by contractual 415
621	621	obligation. 416
622	622	3. Licensed professionals who hold the requisite 417
623	623	professional licenses and are employed by the priv ate provider 418
624	624	firm to carry out building code inspection services. Licensed 419
625	625	professionals are authorized to prepare, review, and certify 420
626	626	documents related to their scope of work. 421
627	627	(o) "Notice" means the submission, including submission by 422
628	628	electronic transmission, of any document, form, report, or 423
629	629	correspondence by a private provider firm to a local building 424
630	630	official. All notice provided for in this section shall have the 425
631	631
632	632	HB 695 2025
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634	634
635	635
636	636	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
637	637	hb695-00
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639	639	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
640	640
641	641
642	642
643	643	same legal effect as if physically posted or mailed. 426
644	644	(p)(l) "Permit application" means a properly completed and 427
645	645	submitted application for the requested building or construction 428
646	646	permit, including: 429
647	647	1. The plans reviewed by the private provider. 430
648	648	2. The affidavit from the private provider required under 431
649	649	subsection (6). 432
650	650	3. Any applicable fees. 433
651	651	4. Any documents required by the local building official 434
652	652	to determine that the fee owner has secured all other government 435
653	653	approvals required by law. 436
654	654	(q)(m) "Plans" means building plans, site engineering 437
655	655	plans, or site plans, or their functional equivalent, submitted 438
656	656	by a fee owner or fee owner's contractor to a private provider 439
657	657	or duly authorized representative for review. 440
658	658	(r)(n) "Private provider" means a person licensed as a 441
659	659	building code administrator under part XII of chapter 468, as an 442
660	660	engineer under chapter 471, or as an architect under chapter 443
661	661	481. For purposes of performing inspections under this section 444
662	662	for additions and alterations that are limited to 1,000 square 445
663	663	feet or less to residential buildings, the ter m "private 446
664	664	provider" also includes a person who holds a standard 447
665	665	certificate under part XII of chapter 468. 448
666	666	(s)(o) "Private provider firm" means a business 449
667	667	organization, including a corporation, partnership, business 450
668	668
669	669	HB 695 2025
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671	671
672	672
673	673	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
674	674	hb695-00
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676	676	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
677	677
678	678
679	679
680	680	trust, or other legal entity, which o ffers services under this 451
681	681	chapter to the public through licensees who are acting as 452
682	682	agents, employees, officers, or partners of the firm. A person 453
683	683	who is licensed as a building code administrator under part XII 454
684	684	of chapter 468, an engineer under chapter 471 , or an architect 455
685	685	under chapter 481 may act as a private provider for an agent, 456
686	686	employee, or officer of the private provider firm. 457
687	687	(t)(p) "Request for certificate of occupancy or 458
688	688	certificate of completion" means a properly completed and 459
689	689	executed application for: 460
690	690	1. A certificate of occupancy or certificate of 461
691	691	completion. 462
692	692	2. A certificate of compliance from the private provider 463
693	693	required under subsection (13). 464
694	694	3. Any applicable fees. 465
695	695	4. Any documents required by the local building official 466
696	696	to determine that the fee owner has secured all other government 467
697	697	approvals required by law. 468
698	698	(u)(q) "Single-trade inspection" means any inspection 469
699	699	focused on a single construction trade, such as plumbing, 470
700	700	mechanical, or electrical. The term includes, but is not li mited 471
701	701	to, inspections of door or window replacements; fences and block 472
702	702	walls more than 6 feet high from the top of the wall to the 473
703	703	bottom of the footing; stucco or plastering; reroofing with no 474
704	704	structural alteration; HVAC replacements; ductwork or fan 475
705	705
706	706	HB 695 2025
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708	708
709	709
710	710	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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713	713	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
714	714
715	715
716	716
717	717	replacements; alteration or installation of wiring, lighting, 476
718	718	and service panels; water heater changeouts; sink replacements; 477
719	719	and repiping. 478
720	720	(v)(r) "Site work" means the portion of a construction 479
721	721	project that is not part of the building structure, including, 480
722	722	but not limited to, grading, excavation, landscape irrigation, 481
723	723	and installation of driveways. 482
724	724	(w)(s) "Stop-work order" means the issuance of any written 483
725	725	statement, written directive, or written order which states the 484
726	726	reason for the order and the conditions under which the cited 485
727	727	work will be permitted to resume. 486
728	728	(x) "System of registration" means the s ystem used to 487
729	729	verify compliance with the licensure and insurance requirements 488
730	730	for a private provider firm under this chapter. 489
731	731	(2)(a) Notwithstanding any other law or local government 490
732	732	ordinance or local policy, the fee owner of a building or 491
733	733	structure, or the fee owner's contractor upon written 492
734	734	authorization from the fee owner, may choose to use a private 493
735	735	provider to provide building code inspection services with 494
736	736	regard to such building or structure and may make payment 495
737	737	directly to the private provider for the provision of such 496
738	738	services. All such services shall be the subject of an agreement 497
739	739	a written contract between the private provider, or the private 498
740	740	provider's firm, and the fee owner or the fee owner's 499
741	741	contractor, upon written authorization of the fee owner. The fee 500
742	742
743	743	HB 695 2025
744	744
745	745
746	746
747	747	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
748	748	hb695-00
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750	750	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
751	751
752	752
753	753
754	754	owner may elect to use a private provider to provide plans 501
755	755	review or required building inspections, or both. However, if 502
756	756	the fee owner or the fee owner's contractor uses a private 503
757	757	provider to provide plans review, the local building official , 504
758	758	in his or her discretion and pursuant to duly adopted policies 505
759	759	of the local enforcement agency, may require the fee owner or 506
760	760	the fee owner's contractor to use a private provider to also 507
761	761	provide required building inspections. 508
762	762	(b) If an owner or a contractor retains a private provider 509
763	763	for purposes of plans review or building inspection services, 510
764	764	the local jurisdiction must reduce the permit fee by the amount 511
765	765	of cost savings realized by the local enforcement agency for not 512
766	766	having to perform such services. Such reduction may be 513
767	767	calculated on a flat fee or percentage basis, or any other 514
768	768	reasonable means by which a local enforcement agency assesses 515
769	769	the cost for its plans review or inspection services. The 516
770	770	reduced permit fee may not exceed the cost incurred by the local 517
771	771	jurisdiction, including the labor cost of the personnel 518
772	772	providing such services, as well as the clerical and supervisory 519
773	773	assistance required to comply with this section. The local 520
774	774	jurisdiction may not charge any additional fees for building 521
775	775	inspections if the fee owner or contractor hires a private 522
776	776	provider to perform such services ; however, the local 523
777	777	jurisdiction may charge a reasonable administrative fee, which 524
778	778	shall be based on the cost that is actually incurred, including 525
779	779
780	780	HB 695 2025
781	781
782	782
783	783
784	784	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
785	785	hb695-00
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787	787	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
788	788
789	789
790	790
791	791	the labor cost of the personnel providing the service, by the 526
792	792	local jurisdiction or attributable to the local jurisdiction for 527
793	793	the clerical and supervisory assistance required, or both . 528
794	794	(c) If an owner or a contractor retains a private provider 529
795	795	for purposes of plans review o r building inspection services, 530
796	796	the local jurisdiction must immediately provide equal access to 531
797	797	all permitting and inspection documents and reports to the 532
798	798	private provider, owner, and contractor if such access is 533
799	799	provided by software that protects exempt r ecords from 534
800	800	disclosure. 535
801	801	(3) A private provider and any duly authorized 536
802	802	representative may only perform building code inspection 537
803	803	services that are within the disciplines covered by that 538
804	804	person's licensure or certification under chapter 468, chapter 539
805	805	471, or chapter 481, including single -trade inspections. A 540
806	806	private provider may not provide building code inspection 541
807	807	services pursuant to this section upon any building designed or 542
808	808	constructed by the private provider or the private provider's 543
809	809	firm. 544
810	810	(4) A fee owner or the fee owner's contractor using a 545
811	811	private provider to provide building code inspection services 546
812	812	shall notify the local building official in writing at the time 547
813	813	of permit application, or by 2 p.m. local time, 2 business days 548
814	814	before the first schedu led inspection by the local building 549
815	815	official or building code enforcement agency that a private 550
816	816
817	817	HB 695 2025
818	818
819	819
820	820
821	821	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
822	822	hb695-00
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824	824	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
825	825
826	826
827	827
828	828	provider has been contracted to perform the required inspections 551
829	829	of construction under this section, including single -trade 552
830	830	inspections, on a form to be adopte d by the commission. This 553
831	831	notice shall include the following information: 554
832	832	(a) The services to be performed by the private provider. 555
833	833	(b) The name, firm, address, telephone number, and e -mail 556
834	834	address of each private provider who is performing or will 557
835	835	perform such services, his or her professional license or 558
836	836	certification number, qualification statements or resumes, and, 559
837	837	if required by the local building official, a certificate of 560
838	838	insurance demonstrating that professional liability insurance 561
839	839	coverage is in place for the private provider's firm, the 562
840	840	private provider, and any duly authorized representative in the 563
841	841	amounts required by this section. 564
842	842	(c) An acknowledgment from the fee owner or the fee 565
843	843	owner's contractor in substantially the following form: 566
844	844	567
845	845	I have elected to use one or more private providers to 568
846	846	provide building code plans review and/or inspection 569
847	847	services on the building or structure that is the 570
848	848	subject of the enclosed permit application, as 571
849	849	authorized by s. 553.791, Florida Statutes. I 572
850	850	understand that the local building official may not 573
851	851	review the plans submitted or perform the required 574
852	852	building inspections to determine compliance with the 575
853	853
854	854	HB 695 2025
855	855
856	856
857	857
858	858	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
859	859	hb695-00
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861	861	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
862	862
863	863
864	864
865	865	applicable codes, except to the extent specified in 576
866	866	said law. Instead, plans review and/or required 577
867	867	building inspections will be performed by licensed or 578
868	868	certified personnel identified in the application. The 579
869	869	law requires minimum insurance requirements for such 580
870	870	personnel, but I understand that I may require more 581
871	871	insurance to protect my interests. By executing t his 582
872	872	form, I acknowledge that I have made inquiry regarding 583
873	873	the competence of the licensed or certified personnel 584
874	874	and the level of their insurance and am satisfied that 585
875	875	my interests are adequately protected. I agree to 586
876	876	indemnify, defend, and hold harmless t he local 587
877	877	government, the local building official, and their 588
878	878	building code enforcement personnel from any and all 589
879	879	claims arising from my use of these licensed or 590
880	880	certified personnel to perform building code 591
881	881	inspection services with respect to the building o r 592
882	882	structure that is the subject of the enclosed permit 593
883	883	application. 594
884	884	595
885	885	If the fee owner or the fee owner's contractor makes any changes 596
886	886	to the listed private providers or the services to be provided 597
887	887	by those private providers, the fee owner or the fee owner' s 598
888	888	contractor shall, within 1 business day after any change or 599
889	889	within 2 business days before the next scheduled inspection, 600
890	890
891	891	HB 695 2025
892	892
893	893
894	894
895	895	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
896	896	hb695-00
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898	898	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
899	899
900	900
901	901
902	902	update the notice to reflect such changes. A change of a duly 601
903	903	authorized representative named in the permit application does 602
904	904	not require a revision of the permit, and the building code 603
905	905	enforcement agency shall not charge a fee for making the change. 604
906	906	(5) After construction has commenced and if the local 605
907	907	building official is unable to provide inspection services in a 606
908	908	timely manner, the fee owner or the fee owner's contractor may 607
909	909	elect to use a private provider to provide inspection services 608
910	910	by notifying the local building official of the owner's or 609
911	911	contractor's intention to do so by 2 p.m. local time, 2 business 610
912	912	days before the next sche duled inspection using the notice 611
913	913	provided for in paragraphs (4)(a) -(c). 612
914	914	(6) A private provider performing plans review under this 613
915	915	section shall review the plans to determine compliance with the 614
916	916	applicable codes. Upon determining that the plans reviewed 615
917	917	comply with the applicable codes, the private provider shall 616
918	918	prepare an affidavit or affidavits certifying, under oath, that 617
919	919	the following is true and correct to the best of the private 618
920	920	provider's knowledge and belief: 619
921	921	(a) The plans were reviewed by the affiant, who is duly 620
922	922	authorized to perform plans review pursuant to this section and 621
923	923	holds the appropriate license or certificate. 622
924	924	(b) The plans comply with the applicable codes. 623
925	925	624
926	926	Such affidavit may bear a written or electronic signature and 625
927	927
928	928	HB 695 2025
929	929
930	930
931	931
932	932	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
933	933	hb695-00
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935	935	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
936	936
937	937
938	938
939	939	may be submitted electronically to the local building official. 626
940	940	(7)(a) The local building official may not perform reviews 627
941	941	of plans, construction drawings, or any other related documents 628
942	942	determined by a private provider to be compliant with the 629
943	943	applicable codes No more than 20 business days after receipt of 630
944	944	a permit application and the affidavit from the private provider 631
945	945	required pursuant to subsection (6), the local building official 632
946	946	shall issue the requested permit or provide a written notice to 633
947	947	the permit applicant identifying the specific plan features that 634
948	948	do not comply with the applicable codes, as well as the specific 635
949	949	code chapters and sections. If the local building official does 636
950	950	not provide a written notice of the plan deficiencies within the 637
951	951	prescribed 20-day period, the permit application shall be deemed 638
952	952	approved as a matter of law, and the permit shall be issued by 639
953	953	the local building official on the next business day . 640
954	954	(b) The local building official may review other forms and 641
955	955	documents required under this section for completeness only. The 642
956	956	local building official must provide written notice of any 643
957	957	incomplete forms or documents required under this section no 644
958	958	later than 10 days after receipt of a permit application and an 645
959	959	affidavit from the private provider as required in subsection 646
960	960	(6). If the local building official does not provide the written 647
961	961	notice within the prescribed 10 -day period, the permit shall be 648
962	962	deemed approved as a matter of law, and the local building 649
963	963	official must issue the permit on the next business day. 650
964	964
965	965	HB 695 2025
966	966
967	967
968	968
969	969	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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972	972	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
973	973
974	974
975	975
976	976	(c) If the local building official provides a written 651
977	977	notice of any incomplete forms or documents required under this 652
978	978	section at the time of plan submission plan deficiencies to the 653
979	979	permit applicant within the prescribed 10-day 20-day period, the 654
980	980	10-day 20-day period shall be tolled pending resolution of the 655
981	981	matter. To resolve the issues raised in the notice plan 656
982	982	deficiencies, the permit applicant may elect to dispute the 657
983	983	issues deficiencies pursuant to subsection (15) or to submit 658
984	984	revisions to correct the issues deficiencies. 659
985	985	(d)(c) If the permit applicant submits revisions, the 660
986	986	local building official has the remainder of the tolled 10-day 661
987	987	20-day period plus 5 business days from the date of resubmittal 662
988	988	to issue the requested permit or to provide a second written 663
989	989	notice to the permit applicant stating which of the previously 664
990	990	identified forms or documents plan features remain incomplete in 665
991	991	noncompliance with the applicable codes, with specific reference 666
992	992	to the relevant code chapters and sections. Any subsequent 667
993	993	review by the local building official is limited to the issues 668
994	994	deficiencies cited in the original written notice. If the local 669
995	995	building official does not provide the second written notice 670
996	996	within the prescribed time period, the perm it shall be deemed 671
997	997	approved as a matter of law, and the local building official 672
998	998	must issue the permit on the next business day. 673
999	999	(e)(d) If the local building official provides a second 674
1000	1000	written notice of plan deficiencies to the permit applicant 675
1001	1001
1002	1002	HB 695 2025
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1004	1004
1005	1005
1006	1006	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1009	1009	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1010	1010
1011	1011
1012	1012
1013	1013	within the prescribed time period, the permit applicant may 676
1014	1014	elect to dispute the issues raised in the second notice 677
1015	1015	deficiencies pursuant to subsection (15) or to submit additional 678
1016	1016	revisions to correct the issues deficiencies. For all revisions 679
1017	1017	submitted after the f irst revision, the local building official 680
1018	1018	has an additional 5 business days from the date of resubmittal 681
1019	1019	to issue the requested permit or to provide a written notice to 682
1020	1020	the permit applicant stating which of the previously identified 683
1021	1021	forms or documents plan features remain incomplete. If the local 684
1022	1022	building official does not provide the notice within the 685
1023	1023	prescribed time period, the permit shall be deemed approved as a 686
1024	1024	matter of law, and the local building official must issue the 687
1025	1025	permit on the next business d ay in noncompliance with the 688
1026	1026	applicable codes, with specific reference to the relevant code 689
1027	1027	chapters and sections . 690
1028	1028	(8) A private provider performing required inspections 691
1029	1029	under this section shall inspect each phase of construction as 692
1030	1030	required by the appli cable codes. Such inspection may be 693
1031	1031	performed in-person or virtually. The private provider may have 694
1032	1032	a duly authorized representative perform the required 695
1033	1033	inspections, provided all required reports are prepared by and 696
1034	1034	bear the written or electronic signatur e of the private provider 697
1035	1035	or the private provider's duly authorized representative. The 698
1036	1036	duly authorized representative must be managed by an employee of 699
1037	1037	the private provider and be entitled to receive reemployment 700
1038	1038
1039	1039	HB 695 2025
1040	1040
1041	1041
1042	1042
1043	1043	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1046	1046	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1047	1047
1048	1048
1049	1049
1050	1050	assistance benefits under chapter 443. The contractor's 701
1051	1051	contractual or legal obligations are not relieved by any action 702
1052	1052	of the private provider. 703
1053	1053	(9) A private provider performing required inspections 704
1054	1054	under this section shall provide notice to the local building 705
1055	1055	official of the approximate date a nd time of any such 706
1056	1056	inspection. The local building official may not prohibit the 707
1057	1057	private provider from performing any inspection outside the 708
1058	1058	local building official's normal operating hours, including 709
1059	1059	after hours, weekends, or holidays. The local building official 710
1060	1060	may visit the building site as often as necessary to verify that 711
1061	1061	the private provider is performing all required inspections. A 712
1062	1062	deficiency notice must be posted by the private provider, or the 713
1063	1063	duly authorized representative of the private provider , or the 714
1064	1064	building department whenever a noncomplying item related to the 715
1065	1065	building code or the permitted documents is found. Such notice 716
1066	1066	may be physically posted at the job site or electronically 717
1067	1067	posted. After corrections are made, the item must be reinspec ted 718
1068	1068	by the private provider or his or her representative before 719
1069	1069	being concealed. Reinspection or reaudit fees shall not be 720
1070	1070	charged by The local jurisdiction may not charge any fees 721
1071	1071	related to the reinspection or any other administrative matter 722
1072	1072	related to the reinspection. The local building official may not 723
1073	1073	visit the job site without written approval from the private 724
1074	1074	provider. 725
1075	1075
1076	1076	HB 695 2025
1077	1077
1078	1078
1079	1079
1080	1080	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1081	1081	hb695-00
1082	1082	Page 30 of 50
1083	1083	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1084	1084
1085	1085
1086	1086
1087	1087	(10) A local building official is not responsible for the 726
1088	1088	regulatory administration or supervision of building code 727
1089	1089	inspection services performed by a private provider hired by a 728
1090	1090	fee owner or a fee owner's contractor. A private provider who 729
1091	1091	is, or a private provider firm that employs a person licensed 730
1092	1092	as, a building code administrator under part XII of chapter 468, 731
1093	1093	shall serve as the local building official with respect to such 732
1094	1094	building code inspection services. Such individuals and entities 733
1095	1095	shall be vested with the authority of a local building official 734
1096	1096	with respect to such services, including, without limitation, 735
1097	1097	the authority to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, 736
1098	1098	regulations, and codes; the authority to communicate and 737
1099	1099	interact directly with public or government building officials 738
1100	1100	and utility and other service providers; the authority to submit 739
1101	1101	forms and documents to such officials and entities and to 740
1102	1102	authorize the connection and disconnection of utility services; 741
1103	1103	and the authority to otherwis e take all actions that permit or 742
1104	1104	require action or authorization of a building official under 743
1105	1105	applicable laws, rules, regulations, and codes. The local 744
1106	1106	building official may not interfere with the actions or 745
1107	1107	activities of such individuals and entities in the performance 746
1108	1108	of such actions. Verification of licensure and insurance 747
1109	1109	requirements for a private provider firm's duly authorized 748
1110	1110	representative is the responsibility of the private provider 749
1111	1111	firm's management, and the local building official is not 750
1112	1112
1113	1113	HB 695 2025
1114	1114
1115	1115
1116	1116
1117	1117	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1118	1118	hb695-00
1119	1119	Page 31 of 50
1120	1120	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1121	1121
1122	1122
1123	1123
1124	1124	required to verify compliance or store information related to 751
1125	1125	such verification as a result of the local jurisdiction's audit 752
1126	1126	inspection occurring before the performance of the private 753
1127	1127	provider's inspection or for any other administrative matter not 754
1128	1128	involving the detection of a violation of the building code or a 755
1129	1129	permit requirement. 756
1130	1130	(10) If the private provider is a person licensed as an 757
1131	1131	engineer under chapter 471 or an architect under chapter 481 and 758
1132	1132	affixes his or her professional seal to the affidavit requi red 759
1133	1133	under subsection (6), the local building official must issue the 760
1134	1134	requested permit or provide a written notice to the permit 761
1135	1135	applicant identifying the specific plan features that do not 762
1136	1136	comply with the applicable codes, as well as the specific code 763
1137	1137	chapters and sections, within 10 business days after receipt of 764
1138	1138	the permit application and affidavit. In such written notice, 765
1139	1139	the local building official must provide with specificity the 766
1140	1140	plan's deficiencies, the reasons the permit application failed, 767
1141	1141	and the applicable codes being violated. If the local building 768
1142	1142	official does not provide specific written notice to the permit 769
1143	1143	applicant within the prescribed 10 -day period, the permit 770
1144	1144	application is deemed approved as a matter of law, and the local 771
1145	1145	building official must issue the permit on the next business 772
1146	1146	day. 773
1147	1147	(11) If equipment replacements and repairs must be 774
1148	1148	performed in an emergency situation, subject to the emergency 775
1149	1149
1150	1150	HB 695 2025
1151	1151
1152	1152
1153	1153
1154	1154	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1155	1155	hb695-00
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1157	1157	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1158	1158
1159	1159
1160	1160
1161	1161	permitting provisions of the Florida Building Code, a private 776
1162	1162	provider may perform emerge ncy inspection services without first 777
1163	1163	notifying the local building official pursuant to subsection 778
1164	1164	(9). A private provider must conduct the inspection within 3 779
1165	1165	business days after being contacted to conduct an emergency 780
1166	1166	inspection and must submit the inspe ction report to the local 781
1167	1167	building official within 1 day after the inspection is 782
1168	1168	completed. 783
1169	1169	(12) Upon completing the required inspections at each 784
1170	1170	applicable phase of construction, the private provider shall 785
1171	1171	record such inspections on a form provided by the commission 786
1172	1172	acceptable to the local building official . The form must bear 787
1173	1173	the written or electronic signature of the private provider or 788
1174	1174	the private provider's duly authorized representative. These 789
1175	1175	inspection records must shall reflect those inspections required 790
1176	1176	by the applicable codes of each phase of construction for which 791
1177	1177	permitting by a local enforcement agency is required. The 792
1178	1178	private provider, upon completion of the required inspection, 793
1179	1179	shall post each completed inspection record, indicating pass or 794
1180	1180	fail, and provide the record to the local building official 795
1181	1181	within 4 2 business days. Such inspection record may be 796
1182	1182	electronically posted by the private provider, or the private 797
1183	1183	provider may post such inspection record physically at the 798
1184	1184	project site. The private provider may electronically transmit 799
1185	1185	the record to the local building official. The private provider 800
1186	1186
1187	1187	HB 695 2025
1188	1188
1189	1189
1190	1190
1191	1191	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1192	1192	hb695-00
1193	1193	Page 33 of 50
1194	1194	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1195	1195
1196	1196
1197	1197
1198	1198	is not required to upload notices or inspection results to any 801
1199	1199	website or portal. The local building official may waive the 802
1200	1200	requirement to provide a record of each inspection within 4 2 803
1201	1201	business days if the record is electronically posted or posted 804
1202	1202	at the project site and all such inspection records are 805
1203	1203	submitted with the certificate of compliance. Unless the records 806
1204	1204	have been electronically posted, records of all required and 807
1205	1205	completed inspections shall be maintained at the building site 808
1206	1206	at all times and made available for review by the local building 809
1207	1207	official. The private provider shall report to the local 810
1208	1208	enforcement agency any condition that poses an immediate threat 811
1209	1209	to public safety and welfare. 812
1210	1210	(13) Upon completion of all required inspections, the 813
1211	1211	private provider shall prepare a certificate of compliance, on a 814
1212	1212	form provided by the commission acceptable to the local building 815
1213	1213	official, summarizing the inspections performed and including a 816
1214	1214	written representation, under oath, that the stated inspections 817
1215	1215	have been performed and that, to the best of the private 818
1216	1216	provider's knowledge and belief, the building construction 819
1217	1217	inspected complies with the app roved plans and applicable codes. 820
1218	1218	The statement required of the private provider shall be 821
1219	1219	substantially in the following form and shall be signed and 822
1220	1220	sealed by a private provider as established in subsection (1) or 823
1221	1221	may be electronically transmitted to the local building 824
1222	1222	official: 825
1223	1223
1224	1224	HB 695 2025
1225	1225
1226	1226
1227	1227
1228	1228	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1229	1229	hb695-00
1230	1230	Page 34 of 50
1231	1231	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1232	1232
1233	1233
1234	1234
1235	1235	826
1236	1236	To the best of my knowledge and belief, the building 827
1237	1237	components and site improvements outlined herein and 828
1238	1238	inspected under my authority have been completed in 829
1239	1239	conformance with the approved plans and the applicable 830
1240	1240	codes. 831
1241	1241	832
1242	1242	(14)(a) The local building official may not perform 833
1243	1243	building inspections of construction that a private provider has 834
1244	1244	determined to be compliant with the applicable codes. The local 835
1245	1245	building official may review forms and documents required under 836
1246	1246	this section for completeness only. No more than 10 business 837
1247	1247	days, or if the permit is related to single -family or two-family 838
1248	1248	dwellings then no more than 2 business days, after receipt of a 839
1249	1249	request for a certificate of occupancy or certificate of 840
1250	1250	completion and the applicant's presentation of a certificate of 841
1251	1251	compliance and approval of all other government approvals 842
1252	1252	required by law, including the payment of all outstanding fees, 843
1253	1253	the local building official shall issue the certificate of 844
1254	1254	occupancy or certificate of completion or provide a notice to 845
1255	1255	the applicant of any incomplete forms or documents required 846
1256	1256	under this section identifying the specific deficiencies, as 847
1257	1257	well as the specific code chapters and sections . 848
1258	1258	(b) If the local building official does not provide notice 849
1259	1259	of any incomplete forms or documents the deficiencies within the 850
1260	1260
1261	1261	HB 695 2025
1262	1262
1263	1263
1264	1264
1265	1265	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1266	1266	hb695-00
1267	1267	Page 35 of 50
1268	1268	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1269	1269
1270	1270
1271	1271
1272	1272	applicable time periods under paragraph (a), the request for a 851
1273	1273	certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion is 852
1274	1274	automatically granted and deemed issued as of the next business 853
1275	1275	day. The local building o fficial must provide the applicant with 854
1276	1276	the written certificate of occupancy or certificate of 855
1277	1277	completion within 2 10 days after it is automatically granted 856
1278	1278	and issued. To resolve any identified issues deficiencies, the 857
1279	1279	applicant may elect to dispute the issues deficiencies pursuant 858
1280	1280	to subsection (15) or to submit a corrected request for a 859
1281	1281	certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. 860
1282	1282	(15) If the local building official determines that any 861
1283	1283	forms or documents required under this section are incomp lete 862
1284	1284	the building construction or plans do not comply with the 863
1285	1285	applicable codes, the official may deny the permit or request 864
1286	1286	for a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion, as 865
1287	1287	appropriate, or may issue a stop -work order for the project or 866
1288	1288	any portion thereof as provided by law, if the official 867
1289	1289	determines that the noncompliance poses an immediate threat to 868
1290	1290	public safety and welfare, subject to the following: 869
1291	1291	(a) The local building official shall be available to meet 870
1292	1292	with the private provider w ithin 2 business days to resolve any 871
1293	1293	dispute after issuing a stop -work order or providing notice to 872
1294	1294	the applicant denying a permit or request for a certificate of 873
1295	1295	occupancy or certificate of completion. 874
1296	1296	(b) If the local building official and private prov ider 875
1297	1297
1298	1298	HB 695 2025
1299	1299
1300	1300
1301	1301
1302	1302	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1303	1303	hb695-00
1304	1304	Page 36 of 50
1305	1305	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1306	1306
1307	1307
1308	1308
1309	1309	are unable to resolve the dispute, the matter shall be referred 876
1310	1310	to the local enforcement agency's board of appeals, if one 877
1311	1311	exists, which shall consider the matter at its next scheduled 878
1312	1312	meeting or sooner. Any decisions by the local enforcement 879
1313	1313	agency's board of appeals, or local building official if there 880
1314	1314	is no board of appeals, may be appealed to the commission as 881
1315	1315	provided by this chapter. 882
1316	1316	(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, any 883
1317	1317	decisions regarding the issuance of a building permit, 884
1318	1318	certificate of occupancy, or certificate of completion may be 885
1319	1319	reviewed by the local enforcement agency's board of appeals, if 886
1320	1320	one exists. Any decision by the local enforcement agency's board 887
1321	1321	of appeals, or local building official if there is no board of 888
1322	1322	appeals, may be appealed to the commission as provided by this 889
1323	1323	chapter, which shall consider the matter at the commission's 890
1324	1324	next scheduled meeting. 891
1325	1325	(16) For the purposes of this section, any notice to be 892
1326	1326	provided by the local building official shall be deeme d to be 893
1327	1327	provided to the person or entity when successfully transmitted 894
1328	1328	to the e-mail address listed for that person or entity in the 895
1329	1329	permit application or revised permit application, or, if no e -896
1330	1330	mail address is stated, when actually received by that person or 897
1331	1331	entity. 898
1332	1332	(17)(a) A local enforcement agency, local building 899
1333	1333	official, or local government may not adopt or enforce any laws, 900
1334	1334
1335	1335	HB 695 2025
1336	1336
1337	1337
1338	1338
1339	1339	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1340	1340	hb695-00
1341	1341	Page 37 of 50
1342	1342	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1343	1343
1344	1344
1345	1345
1346	1346	rules, procedures, policies, qualifications, or standards more 901
1347	1347	stringent than those prescribed by this section. 902
1348	1348	(b) A local enforcement agency, local building official, 903
1349	1349	or local government may establish, for private providers and, 904
1350	1350	private provider firms , and duly authorized representatives 905
1351	1351	working within that jurisdiction, a system of registration to 906
1352	1352	verify compliance with the licensure requirements of paragraph 907
1353	1353	(1)(r) paragraph (1)(n) and the insurance requirements of 908
1354	1354	subsection (18). 909
1355	1355	(c) This section does not limit the authority of the local 910
1356	1356	building official to issue a stop -work order for a building 911
1357	1357	project or any portion o f the project, as provided by law, if 912
1358	1358	the official determines that a condition on the building site 913
1359	1359	constitutes an immediate threat to public safety and welfare , 914
1360	1360	provided such orders are in strict compliance with the 915
1361	1361	deficiency notice provisions of subsect ion (9). 916
1362	1362	(18) A private provider may perform building code 917
1363	1363	inspection services on a building project under this section 918
1364	1364	only if the private provider maintains insurance for 919
1365	1365	professional liability covering all services performed as a 920
1366	1366	private provider. Suc h insurance shall have minimum policy 921
1367	1367	limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the 922
1368	1368	aggregate for any project with a construction cost of $5 million 923
1369	1369	or less and $2 million per occurrence and $4 million in the 924
1370	1370	aggregate for any project with a co nstruction cost of over $5 925
1371	1371
1372	1372	HB 695 2025
1373	1373
1374	1374
1375	1375
1376	1376	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1377	1377	hb695-00
1378	1378	Page 38 of 50
1379	1379	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1380	1380
1381	1381
1382	1382
1383	1383	million. Nothing in this section limits the ability of a fee 926
1384	1384	owner to require additional insurance or higher policy limits. 927
1385	1385	For these purposes, the term "construction cost" means the total 928
1386	1386	cost of building construction as stated in the building permit 929
1387	1387	application. If the private provider chooses to secure claims -930
1388	1388	made coverage to fulfill this requirement, the private provider 931
1389	1389	must also maintain coverage for a minimum of 5 years after 932
1390	1390	subsequent to the performance of building code i nspection 933
1391	1391	services. The insurance required under this subsection shall be 934
1392	1392	written only by insurers authorized to do business in this state 935
1393	1393	with a minimum A.M. Best's rating of A. Before providing 936
1394	1394	building code inspection services within a local building 937
1395	1395	official's jurisdiction, a private provider must provide to the 938
1396	1396	local building official a certificate of insurance evidencing 939
1397	1397	that the coverages required under this subsection are in force. 940
1398	1398	(19) When performing building code inspection services, a 941
1399	1399	private provider is subject to the disciplinary guidelines of 942
1400	1400	the applicable professional board with jurisdiction over his or 943
1401	1401	her license or certification under chapter 468, chapter 471, or 944
1402	1402	chapter 481. All private providers shall be subject to the 945
1403	1403	disciplinary guidelines of s. 468.621(1)(c) -(h). Any complaint 946
1404	1404	processing, investigation, and discipline that arise out of a 947
1405	1405	private provider's performance of building code inspection 948
1406	1406	services shall be conducted by the applicable professional 949
1407	1407	board. 950
1408	1408
1409	1409	HB 695 2025
1410	1410
1411	1411
1412	1412
1413	1413	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1414	1414	hb695-00
1415	1415	Page 39 of 50
1416	1416	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1417	1417
1418	1418
1419	1419
1420	1420	(20) A local buildi ng code enforcement agency may not 951
1421	1421	audit the performance of building code inspection services by 952
1422	1422	private providers operating within the local jurisdiction until 953
1423	1423	the agency has created standard operating private provider audit 954
1424	1424	procedures for the agency's in ternal inspection and review 955
1425	1425	staff, which includes, at a minimum, the private provider audit 956
1426	1426	purpose and scope, private provider audit criteria, an 957
1427	1427	explanation of private provider audit processes and objections, 958
1428	1428	and detailed findings of areas of noncomplia nce. Such private 959
1429	1429	provider audit procedures must be publicly available online, and 960
1430	1430	a printed version must be readily accessible in agency 961
1431	1431	buildings. The private provider audit results of staff for the 962
1432	1432	prior two quarters also must be publicly available. The agency's 963
1433	1433	audit processes must adhere to the agency's posted standard 964
1434	1434	operating audit procedures. The same private provider or private 965
1435	1435	provider firm may not be audited more than four times in a year . 966
1436	1436	The private provider or private provider firm must be gi ven 967
1437	1437	notice of each audit to be performed within 5 business days 968
1438	1438	before the audit unless the local building official determines a 969
1439	1439	condition of a building constitutes an immediate threat to 970
1440	1440	public safety and welfare, which must be communicated in writing 971
1441	1441	to the private provider or private provider firm . Work on a 972
1442	1442	building or structure may proceed after inspection and approval 973
1443	1443	by a private provider. The work may not be delayed for 974
1444	1444	completion of an inspection audit by the local building code 975
1445	1445
1446	1446	HB 695 2025
1447	1447
1448	1448
1449	1449
1450	1450	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1451	1451	hb695-00
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1453	1453	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1454	1454
1455	1455
1456	1456
1457	1457	enforcement agency. 976
1458	1458	(21) The local government, the local building official, 977
1459	1459	and their building code enforcement personnel shall be immune 978
1460	1460	from liability to any person or party for any action or inaction 979
1461	1461	by a fee owner of a building, or by a private provider or its 980
1462	1462	duly authorized representative, in connection with building code 981
1463	1463	inspection services as authorized in this act. The local 982
1464	1464	government, the local building official, and their building code 983
1465	1465	enforcement personnel may not prohibit or discourage the use of 984
1466	1466	a private provider or a private provider firm. A local 985
1467	1467	government, a local building official, and their building code 986
1468	1468	enforcement personnel are not immune from liability or judicial 987
1469	1469	action relating to violations of this section or their 988
1470	1470	obligations under applicable cod es, including, without 989
1471	1471	limitation, interference with, disparagement of, or failure to 990
1472	1472	recognize the authority vested in private providers. 991
1473	1473	Notwithstanding any other available remedies, any person or 992
1474	1474	party, in an individual capacity or on behalf of a class of 993
1475	1475	persons or parties, may bring and maintain actions for damages, 994
1476	1476	declaratory and injunctive relief, and the issuance of 995
1477	1477	extraordinary writs for violations of this subsection. 996
1478	1478	(22) A private provider licensed as a building code 997
1479	1479	administrator under chapt er 468 shall serve as the local 998
1480	1480	building official with respect to the building code inspection 999
1481	1481	services it has been hired to perform by the fee owner or the 1000
1482	1482
1483	1483	HB 695 2025
1484	1484
1485	1485
1486	1486
1487	1487	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1488	1488	hb695-00
1489	1489	Page 41 of 50
1490	1490	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1491	1491
1492	1492
1493	1493
1494	1494	fee owner's contractor. Such private providers may issue 1001
1495	1495	building permits. All information from the private provider, 1002
1496	1496	including, but not limited to, building permits, inspection 1003
1497	1497	information, and drawings, must be provided to the property 1004
1498	1498	appraiser for the county or the jurisdiction. Drawings must be 1005
1499	1499	delivered in their original electronic format. Permits must be 1006
1500	1500	made publicly available, and the status of the permits must be 1007
1501	1501	made available on the Private Provider Association of Florida 1008
1502	1502	website so that code enforcement and other agencies and private 1009
1503	1503	entities may see their status. The Private Provider Associ ation 1010
1504	1504	of Florida, or a similar nonprofit association, may require a 1011
1505	1505	fee or subscription to upload the information to its site or to 1012
1506	1506	use an applications programming interface. The private provider 1013
1507	1507	shall update such information within 2 business days after 1014
1508	1508	issuing a permit or a status change. 1015
1509	1509	(23) The format of the permit must meet a recognized and 1016
1510	1510	approved standard, as prescribed by this section, for use by 1017
1511	1511	private providers. Private provider permits must include space 1018
1512	1512	for acknowledgement of review and acc eptance of the following: 1019
1513	1513	(a) The application. 1020
1514	1514	(b) Licensing. 1021
1515	1515	(c) The notice of commencement. 1022
1516	1516	(d) The plan review. 1023
1517	1517	(e) Required inspections. 1024
1518	1518	(f) The following lists of inspections: 1025
1519	1519
1520	1520	HB 695 2025
1521	1521
1522	1522
1523	1523
1524	1524	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1525	1525	hb695-00
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1527	1527	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1528	1528
1529	1529
1530	1530
1531	1531	1. Building. 1026
1532	1532	2. Electric. 1027
1533	1533	3. Mechanical. 1028
1534	1534	4. Plumbing. 1029
1535	1535	(g) Permitting inspection. 1030
1536	1536	(h) The placard card. 1031
1537	1537	(i) The blower door test. 1032
1538	1538	(j) The insulation certificate. 1033
1539	1539	(k) The termite treatment certificate. 1034
1540	1540	(l) The power release. 1035
1541	1541	(m) The certificate of occupancy or certificate of 1036
1542	1542	completion. 1037
1543	1543	(24)(22) Notwithstanding any other law, a county, a 1038
1544	1544	municipality, a school district, or an independent special 1039
1545	1545	district may use a private provider or a private provider firm 1040
1546	1546	to provide building code inspection services for a public works 1041
1547	1547	project, an improvement, a building, or any other structure that 1042
1548	1548	is owned by the county, municipality, school district, or 1043
1549	1549	independent special district. 1044
1550	1550	1045
1551	1551	It is the intent of the Legislature to provide permit applicants 1046
1552	1552	with a consistent and efficient user experience. The permittin g 1047
1553	1553	process must be universally adopted as a standard for this 1048
1554	1554	state. Local building officials and local governments may not 1049
1555	1555	adopt, create, or use any form that is inconsistent with any 1050
1556	1556
1557	1557	HB 695 2025
1558	1558
1559	1559
1560	1560
1561	1561	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1564	1564	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1565	1565
1566	1566
1567	1567
1568	1568	applicable law, rule, or form of this state. The use of custom 1051
1569	1569	procedures or standards is prohibited. The commission shall 1052
1570	1570	implement the permitting process and may review it once every 3 1053
1571	1571	years thereafter for consistency and relevance. 1054
1572	1572	Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1055
1573	1573	made by this act to section 468 .605, Florida Statutes, in a 1056
1574	1574	reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 633.216, Florida 1057
1575	1575	Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1058
1576	1576	633.216 Inspection of buildings and equipment; orders; 1059
1577	1577	firesafety inspection training requirements; certification; 1060
1578	1578	disciplinary action.—The State Fire Marshal and her or his 1061
1579	1579	agents or persons authorized to enforce laws and rules of the 1062
1580	1580	State Fire Marshal shall, at any reasonable hour, when the State 1063
1581	1581	Fire Marshal has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of 1064
1582	1582	this chapter or s. 50 9.215, or a rule adopted thereunder, or a 1065
1583	1583	minimum firesafety code adopted by the State Fire Marshal or a 1066
1584	1584	local authority, may exist, inspect any and all buildings and 1067
1585	1585	structures which are subject to the requirements of this chapter 1068
1586	1586	or s. 509.215 and rules adopted thereunder. The authority to 1069
1587	1587	inspect shall extend to all equipment, vehicles, and chemicals 1070
1588	1588	which are located on or within the premises of any such building 1071
1589	1589	or structure. 1072
1590	1590	(6) The division and the Florida Building Code 1073
1591	1591	Administrators and Inspector s Board, established pursuant to s. 1074
1592	1592	468.605, shall enter into a reciprocity agreement to facilitate 1075
1593	1593
1594	1594	HB 695 2025
1595	1595
1596	1596
1597	1597
1598	1598	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1599	1599	hb695-00
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1601	1601	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1602	1602
1603	1603
1604	1604
1605	1605	joint recognition of continuing education recertification hours 1076
1606	1606	for certificateholders licensed under s. 468.609 and firesafety 1077
1607	1607	inspectors certified under s ubsection (2). 1078
1608	1608	Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1079
1609	1609	made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1080
1610	1610	reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 1081
1611	1611	177.073, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1082
1612	1612	177.073 Expedited approval of residential building permits 1083
1613	1613	before a final plat is recorded. — 1084
1614	1614	(1) As used in this section, the term: 1085
1615	1615	(c) "Local building official" has the same meaning as in 1086
1616	1616	s. 553.791(1). 1087
1617	1617	Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the am endment 1088
1618	1618	made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1089
1619	1619	reference thereto, subsection (9) of section 468.603, Florida 1090
1620	1620	Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1091
1621	1621	468.603 Definitions. —As used in this part: 1092
1622	1622	(9) "Private provider" has the same meaning as in s. 1093
1623	1623	553.791(1). 1094
1624	1624	Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1095
1625	1625	made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in 1096
1626	1626	references thereto, paragraphs (i) and (j) of subsection (1) of 1097
1627	1627	section 468.621, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to re ad: 1098
1628	1628	468.621 Disciplinary proceedings. — 1099
1629	1629	(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 1100
1630	1630
1631	1631	HB 695 2025
1632	1632
1633	1633
1634	1634
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1638	1638	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1639	1639
1640	1640
1641	1641
1642	1642	disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken: 1101
1643	1643	(i) Failing to lawfully execute the duties and 1102
1644	1644	responsibilities specified in this part and ss. 553.73, 553.781, 1103
1645	1645	553.79, and 553.791. 1104
1646	1646	(j) Performing building code inspection services under s. 1105
1647	1647	553.791 without satisfying the insurance requirements of that 1106
1648	1648	section. 1107
1649	1649	Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1108
1650	1650	made by this act to section 553. 791, Florida Statutes, in a 1109
1651	1651	reference thereto, paragraph (l) of subsection (1) of section 1110
1652	1652	471.033, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1111
1653	1653	471.033 Disciplinary proceedings. — 1112
1654	1654	(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 1113
1655	1655	disciplinary actions i n subsection (3) may be taken: 1114
1656	1656	(l) Performing building code inspection services under s. 1115
1657	1657	553.791, without satisfying the insurance requirements of that 1116
1658	1658	section. 1117
1659	1659	Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1118
1660	1660	made by this act to section 553 .791, Florida Statutes, in a 1119
1661	1661	reference thereto, paragraph (l) of subsection (1) of section 1120
1662	1662	481.225, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1121
1663	1663	481.225 Disciplinary proceedings against registered 1122
1664	1664	architects.— 1123
1665	1665	(1) The following acts constitute grounds for w hich the 1124
1666	1666	disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken: 1125
1667	1667
1668	1668	HB 695 2025
1669	1669
1670	1670
1671	1671
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1675	1675	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1676	1676
1677	1677
1678	1678
1679	1679	(l) Performing building code inspection services under s. 1126
1680	1680	553.791, without satisfying the insurance requirements of that 1127
1681	1681	section. 1128
1682	1682	Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1129
1683	1683	made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a 1130
1684	1684	reference thereto, subsection (11) of section 553.79, Florida 1131
1685	1685	Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1132
1686	1686	553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections. — 1133
1687	1687	(11) Any state agency whose enabling legisl ation 1134
1688	1688	authorizes it to enforce provisions of the Florida Building Code 1135
1689	1689	may enter into an agreement with any other unit of government to 1136
1690	1690	delegate its responsibility to enforce those provisions and may 1137
1691	1691	expend public funds for permit and inspection fees, whic h fees 1138
1692	1692	may be no greater than the fees charged others. Inspection 1139
1693	1693	services that are not required to be performed by a state agency 1140
1694	1694	under a federal delegation of responsibility or by a state 1141
1695	1695	agency under the Florida Building Code must be performed under 1142
1696	1696	the alternative plans review and inspection process created in 1143
1697	1697	s. 553.791 or by a local governmental entity having authority to 1144
1698	1698	enforce the Florida Building Code. 1145
1699	1699	Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment 1146
1700	1700	made by this act to section 553.7 91, Florida Statutes, in a 1147
1701	1701	reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 1148
1702	1702	553.80, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read: 1149
1703	1703	553.80 Enforcement. — 1150
1704	1704
1705	1705	HB 695 2025
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1707	1707
1708	1708
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1712	1712	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1713	1713
1714	1714
1715	1715
1716	1716	(7)(a) The governing bodies of local governments may 1151
1717	1717	provide a schedule of reasonable fees, as authorized by s. 1152
1718	1718	125.56(2) or s. 166.222 and this section, for enforcing this 1153
1719	1719	part. These fees, and any fines or investment earnings related 1154
1720	1720	to the fees, may only be used for carrying out the local 1155
1721	1721	government's responsibilities in enforcing the Florida Bu ilding 1156
1722	1722	Code. When providing a schedule of reasonable fees, the total 1157
1723	1723	estimated annual revenue derived from fees, and the fines and 1158
1724	1724	investment earnings related to the fees, may not exceed the 1159
1725	1725	total estimated annual costs of allowable activities. Any 1160
1726	1726	unexpended balances must be carried forward to future years for 1161
1727	1727	allowable activities or must be refunded at the discretion of 1162
1728	1728	the local government. A local government may not carry forward 1163
1729	1729	an amount exceeding the average of its operating budget for 1164
1730	1730	enforcing the Florida Building Code for the previous 4 fiscal 1165
1731	1731	years. For purposes of this subsection, the term "operating 1166
1732	1732	budget" does not include reserve amounts. Any amount exceeding 1167
1733	1733	this limit must be used as authorized in subparagraph 2. 1168
1734	1734	However, a local government that established, as of January 1, 1169
1735	1735	2019, a Building Inspections Fund Advisory Board consisting of 1170
1736	1736	five members from the construction stakeholder community and 1171
1737	1737	carries an unexpended balance in excess of the average of its 1172
1738	1738	operating budget for the previous 4 fiscal years may continue to 1173
1739	1739	carry such excess funds forward upon the recommendation of the 1174
1740	1740	advisory board. The basis for a fee structure for allowable 1175
1741	1741
1742	1742	HB 695 2025
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1744	1744
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1749	1749	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1750	1750
1751	1751
1752	1752
1753	1753	activities must relate to the level of service provided by the 1176
1754	1754	local government and must include consid eration for refunding 1177
1755	1755	fees due to reduced services based on services provided as 1178
1756	1756	prescribed by s. 553.791, but not provided by the local 1179
1757	1757	government. Fees charged must be consistently applied. 1180
1758	1758	1. As used in this subsection, the phrase "enforcing the 1181
1759	1759	Florida Building Code" includes the direct costs and reasonable 1182
1760	1760	indirect costs associated with review of building plans, 1183
1761	1761	building inspections, reinspections, and building permit 1184
1762	1762	processing; building code enforcement; and fire inspections 1185
1763	1763	associated with new con struction. The phrase may also include 1186
1764	1764	training costs associated with the enforcement of the Florida 1187
1765	1765	Building Code and enforcement action pertaining to unlicensed 1188
1766	1766	contractor activity to the extent not funded by other user fees. 1189
1767	1767	2. A local government must use any excess funds that it is 1190
1768	1768	prohibited from carrying forward to rebate and reduce fees, to 1191
1769	1769	upgrade technology hardware and software systems to enhance 1192
1770	1770	service delivery, to pay for the construction of a building or 1193
1771	1771	structure that houses a local governm ent's building code 1194
1772	1772	enforcement agency, or for training programs for building 1195
1773	1773	officials, inspectors, or plans examiners associated with the 1196
1774	1774	enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Excess funds used to 1197
1775	1775	construct such a building or structure must be design ated for 1198
1776	1776	such purpose by the local government and may not be carried 1199
1777	1777	forward for more than 4 consecutive years. An owner or builder 1200
1778	1778
1779	1779	HB 695 2025
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1781	1781
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1786	1786	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1787	1787
1788	1788
1789	1789
1790	1790	who has a valid building permit issued by a local government for 1201
1791	1791	a fee, or an association of owners or builders located in t he 1202
1792	1792	state that has members with valid building permits issued by a 1203
1793	1793	local government for a fee, may bring a civil action against the 1204
1794	1794	local government that issued the permit for a fee to enforce 1205
1795	1795	this subparagraph. 1206
1796	1796	3. The following activities may not be fund ed with fees 1207
1797	1797	adopted for enforcing the Florida Building Code: 1208
1798	1798	a. Planning and zoning or other general government 1209
1799	1799	activities. 1210
1800	1800	b. Inspections of public buildings for a reduced fee or no 1211
1801	1801	fee. 1212
1802	1802	c. Public information requests, community functions, 1213
1803	1803	boards, and any program not directly related to enforcement of 1214
1804	1804	the Florida Building Code. 1215
1805	1805	d. Enforcement and implementation of any other local 1216
1806	1806	ordinance, excluding validly adopted local amendments to the 1217
1807	1807	Florida Building Code and excluding any local ordinance di rectly 1218
1808	1808	related to enforcing the Florida Building Code as defined in 1219
1809	1809	subparagraph 1. 1220
1810	1810	4. A local government must use recognized management, 1221
1811	1811	accounting, and oversight practices to ensure that fees, fines, 1222
1812	1812	and investment earnings generated under this subsect ion are 1223
1813	1813	maintained and allocated or used solely for the purposes 1224
1814	1814	described in subparagraph 1. 1225
1815	1815
1816	1816	HB 695 2025
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1818	1818
1819	1819
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1823	1823	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1824	1824
1825	1825
1826	1826
1827	1827	5. The local enforcement agency, independent district, or 1226
1828	1828	special district may not require at any time, including at the 1227
1829	1829	time of application for a permit, the p ayment of any additional 1228
1830	1830	fees, charges, or expenses associated with: 1229
1831	1831	a. Providing proof of licensure under chapter 489; 1230
1832	1832	b. Recording or filing a license issued under this 1231
1833	1833	chapter; 1232
1834	1834	c. Providing, recording, or filing evidence of workers' 1233
1835	1835	compensation insurance coverage as required by chapter 440; or 1234
1836	1836	d. Charging surcharges or other similar fees not directly 1235
1837	1837	related to enforcing the Florida Building Code. 1236
1838	1838	Section 12. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 1237