The bill amends Florida Statutes to enhance the involvement of private providers in building inspection services. It requires the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board and the Florida Building Commission to include a specified number of members from private provider firms. The legislation mandates that inspection services by private providers be governed by an agreement instead of a written contract and prohibits local jurisdictions from imposing additional fees for these inspections. It also clarifies that local building officials are not responsible for the regulatory administration of inspections conducted by private providers, streamlining the inspection process and promoting efficiency in building code compliance.

Key changes include a reduction in the timeframe for local building officials to notify applicants of incomplete documents from 20 days to 10 days, with permits deemed approved if no notice is given within this period. The bill also establishes that local building officials must provide equal access to permitting and inspection documents for private providers and outlines the notification process when engaging private providers. Additionally, it emphasizes that local officials cannot discourage the use of private providers and provides liability protections for local governments while holding them accountable for legal violations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1474 Filed: 468.605, 553.74