STORAGE NAME: h1035.IPA
DATE: 3/17/2025
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FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 1035
TITLE: Building Permits for Single-family Dwellings
SPONSOR(S): Esposito
COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 1128 (Ingoglia)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Industries & Professional
Activities
Intergovernmental Affairs
Commerce
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill provides that single-family building permits do not expire before the effective date of the next edition of the
Florida Building Code. The bill also provides that certain building permit applications are deemed approved upon
submission and a local government must issue the permit within two days.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have a positive economic impact on the private sector by reducing the number of days to it takes to
receive a building permit. The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local governments by requiring them
to issue certain building permits on an expeditated basis.
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ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill provides that a building permit for a single-family dwelling does not expire before the effective date of the
next edition of the Florida Building Code, which is updated every three years. (Section 1 and 2)
The bill also provides that a building permit application for the construction of a single-family dwelling is deemed
approved upon submission if:
construction of the dwelling is in a jurisdiction for which a state of emergency was issued within the
preceding 24 months;
a licensed architect or engineer signs and seals the application and attests that the plans comply with the
Florida Building Code. (Section 3)
A local government must issue a building permit for such application within two days of submission. (Section 3)
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2025 (Section 4)
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Florida Building Code
Chapter 553, part IV, F.S., is known as the “Florida Building Codes Act.” The purpose and intent of the Act is to
provide a mechanism for the uniform adoption, updating, interpretation, and enforcement of a single, unified state JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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building code. The Florida Building Code (Building Code) must be applied, administered, and enforced uniformly
and consistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
1
The Florida Building Commission (Commission) implements the Building Code. The Commission, which is housed
within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, is a 19-member technical body made up of design
professionals, contractors, and government experts in various disciplines covered by the Building Code. The
Commission updates and adopts a new edition of the Building Code every three years.
2 The current edition of the
Building Code is the eighth edition, which is referred to as the 2023 Building Code.
3
It is the intent of the Legislature that local governments have the power to inspect all buildings, structures, and
facilities within their jurisdiction in protection of the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
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Building Permits
Every local government must enforce the Building Code and issue building permits.
5 A building permit is an official
document or certificate issued by the local building official that authorizes performance of a specific activity.
6
It is unlawful for a person to construct, erect, alter, repair, secure, or demolish any building without first obtaining
a building permit.
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Current law requires local governments to review building permit applications for single-family dwellings within a
specific time-period of receiving the applications:
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When a local government receives an application for a single-family dwelling building permit, it must approve,
approve with conditions, or deny a building permit application following receipt of a completed and sufficient
application to the following timelines, unless the applicant waives such limitation in writing:
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Within 30 business days if the structure is less than 7,500 square feet.
Within 60 business days if the structure is more than 7,500 square feet.
Within 12 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a
master building permit to obtain a site-specific building permit.
Within 10 business days for a single-family residential dwelling applied for by a licensed contractor on
behalf of a property owner who participates in a Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery
program administered by the Department of Commerce.
A building permit becomes invalid if no work starts within six months after issuance of the permit or if work on the
project ceases for a period of six months after work has commenced on the project. Work shall be considered to be
in active progress when the permit has received an approved inspection within 180 days.
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A new permit is required if a permit is revoked after work has commenced, becomes null and void, or expires
because of a lack of progress on the project. If a new permit is not obtained within 180 days from the date the
permit becomes null and void, the local enforcement agency may require the removal of all work that has been
performed on the project.
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1
S. 553.72(1), F.S.
2
Ss. 553.73(7), and 553.74, F.S.
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Overview, Eighth Edition of the Florida Building Code.
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S. 553.72, F.S.
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Ss. 125.01(1)(bb), 125.56(1), and 553.80(1), F.S.
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S. 468.603(2), F.S; S. 202 of the Eighth edition of the Florida Building Code (Building).
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S. 553.79(1), F.S.
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S. 553.792(1), F.S.
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Id.
10
Section 105.4 of the Eighth Edition of the Florida Building Code
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Id. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Industries & Professional Activities
Subcommittee
Anstead Brackett
Intergovernmental Affairs
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee