Florida Senate - 2025 CS for CS for CS for SB 712
By the Committee on Rules; the Appropriations Committee on
Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; the Committee
on Community Affairs; and Senator Grall
595-03794-25 2025712c3
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to construction regulations; creating
3 s. 125.572, F.S.; defining the term “synthetic turf”;
4 requiring the Department of Environmental Protection
5 to adopt minimum standards for the installation of
6 synthetic turf on specified properties; requiring that
7 the standards take into account specified factors;
8 prohibiting local governments from adopting or
9 enforcing any ordinance, resolution, order, rule, or
10 policy that prohibits, or is enforced to prohibit,
11 property owners from installing synthetic turf meeting
12 certain standards on single-family residential
13 property of a specified size; prohibiting local
14 governments from adopting or enforcing specified
15 ordinances, resolutions, orders, rules, or policies
16 that regulate synthetic turf which are inconsistent
17 with specified standards; requiring the Department of
18 Environmental Protection to adopt rules; creating s.
19 218.755, F.S.; requiring that, for certain contracts
20 entered into on or after a specified date, local
21 governmental entities approve or deny certain price
22 quotes and provide notice to contractors within a
23 specified timeframe; requiring denials to specify
24 alleged deficiencies and actions necessary to remedy
25 such deficiencies; providing that if a local
26 governmental entity fails to provide the contractor
27 with a certain notice, the change order and price
28 quote are deemed approved and the local governmental
29 entity must pay the contractor a certain amount upon
30 completion of the change order; prohibiting contracts
31 from altering specified duties of a local governmental
32 entity; amending s. 255.0992, F.S.; prohibiting the
33 state or political subdivisions that contract for
34 public works projects from penalizing or rewarding
35 bidders for performing larger or smaller volumes of
36 construction work for the state or political
37 subdivisions when scoring or evaluating certain bids;
38 amending s. 399.035, F.S.; requiring that elevator car
39 interiors have at least one support rail that meets
40 certain specifications; amending s. 489.505, F.S.;
41 revising the definition of the term “certified alarm
42 system contractor”; amending s. 553.73, F.S.;
43 providing an exemption from the Florida Building Code
44 to systems or equipment located within a spaceport
45 territory which is used for specified purposes;
46 reenacting and amending s. 553.79, F.S.; prohibiting
47 local governments from requiring copies of contracts
48 and certain associated documents for the issuance of
49 building permits or as a requirement for submitting
50 building permit applications; amending s. 553.791,
51 F.S.; revising definitions; revising the conditions
52 under which specified contractors may elect to use a
53 private provider to provide inspection services;
54 authorizing private providers to use automated or
55 software-based plans review systems designed to make
56 certain determinations; requiring local building
57 officials to issue permits within a specified
58 timeframe if the permit application is related to
59 certain single-trade plans reviews; authorizing
60 certain inspections to be performed in person or
61 virtually; reenacting s. 201.21(2), F.S., relating to
62 an exemption from all excise taxes imposed by ch. 201,
63 F.S., for specified notes and obligations when given
64 by a customer to an alarm system contractor in
65 connection with the sale of an alarm system, to
66 incorporate the amendment made to s. 489.505, F.S., in
67 a reference thereto; reenacting ss. 177.073(4)(a),
68 468.621(1)(i) and (j), 471.033(1)(l), 481.225(1)(l),
69 and 553.80(7)(a), F.S., relating to inspections
70 performed for expedited approval of residential
71 building permits before a final plat is recorded;
72 disciplinary proceedings against building code
73 administrators and inspectors for performing building
74 code inspection services without satisfying specified
75 insurance requirements; disciplinary proceedings
76 against engineers for performing building code
77 inspection services without satisfying specified
78 insurance requirements; disciplinary proceedings
79 against registered architects for performing building
80 code inspection services without satisfying specified
81 insurance requirements; and the refunding of certain
82 fees due to specified reduced services provided by a
83 local building official, respectively, to incorporate
84 the amendment to s. 553.791, F.S., in references
85 thereto; providing an effective date.
86
87 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
88
89 Section 1. Section 125.572, Florida Statutes, is created to
90 read:
91 125.572 Regulation of synthetic turf.—
92 (1) As used in this section, the term “synthetic turf”
93 means a manufactured product that resembles natural grass and is
94 used as a surface for landscaping and recreational areas.
95 (2) The Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt
96 minimum standards for the installation of synthetic turf on
97 single-family residential properties 1 acre or less in size. The
98 standards must take into account material type, color,
99 permeability, stormwater management, potable water conservation,
100 water quality, proximity to trees and other vegetation, and
101 other factors impacting environmental conditions of adjacent
102 properties.
103 (3) Upon the Department of Environmental Protection
104 adopting rules pursuant to subsection (4), a local government
105 may not:
106 (a) Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order,
107 rule, or policy that prohibits, or is enforced to prohibit, a
108 property owner from installing synthetic turf that complies with
109 Department of Environmental Protection standards adopted
110 pursuant to this section which apply to single-family
111 residential property.
112 (b) Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order,
113 rule, or policy that regulates synthetic turf which is
114 inconsistent with the Department of Environmental Protection
115 standards adopted pursuant to this section which apply to
116 single-family residential property.
117 (4) The Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt
118 rules to implement this section.
119 Section 2. Section 218.755, Florida Statutes, is created to
120 read:
121 218.755 Prompt processing of change orders.—For any
122 contract for construction services entered into on or after July
123 1, 2025, if a local governmental entity receives from its
124 contractor a price quote for a change order requested or issued
125 by the local governmental entity for construction services, and
126 the price quote conforms to all statutory requirements and
127 contractual requirements for the project, the local governmental
128 entity must approve or deny the price quote and send written
129 notice of that decision to the contractor within 35 days after
130 receipt of such quote. A denial notice must specify the alleged
131 deficiencies in the price quote and the actions necessary to
132 remedy those deficiencies. If the local governmental entity
133 fails to provide the contractor with a notice in compliance with
134 this section, the change order and price quote are deemed
135 approved, and the local governmental entity must pay the
136 contractor the amount stated in the price quote upon the
137 completion of the change order. A contract between a local
138 governmental entity and a contractor may not alter the local
139 governmental entity’s duties under this section.
140 Section 3. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
141 section 255.0992, Florida Statutes, to read:
142 255.0992 Public works projects; prohibited governmental
143 actions.—
144 (2) Except as required by federal or state law, the state
145 or any political subdivision that contracts for a public works
146 project may not take the following actions:
147 (d) When scoring or evaluating bids for a public works
148 project, penalize a bidder for performing a larger volume of
149 construction work for the state or political subdivision or
150 reward a bidder for performing a smaller volume of construction
151 work for the state or political subdivision.
152 Section 4. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
153 399.035, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
154 399.035 Elevator accessibility requirements for the
155 physically handicapped.—
156 (1) Each elevator, the installation of which is begun after
157 October 1, 1990, must be made accessible to physically
158 handicapped persons with the following requirements:
159 (b) Each elevator car interior must have a support rail on
160 at least one wall. All support rails must be smooth and have no
161 sharp edges and must not be more than 1 1/2 inches thick or 2
162 1/2 inches in diameter. At least one support rail Support rails
163 must be continuous and a minimum length of 42 inches overall.
164 The inside surface of support rails must be 1 1/2 inches clear
165 of the car wall. The distance from the top of the support rail
166 to the finished car floor must be at least 31 inches and not
167 more than 33 inches. Padded or tufted material or decorative
168 materials, such as wallpaper, vinyl, cloth, or the like, may not
169 be used on support rails.
170 Section 5. Subsection (7) of section 489.505, Florida
171 Statutes, is amended to read:
172 489.505 Definitions.—As used in this part:
173 (7) “Certified alarm system contractor” means an alarm
174 system contractor who possesses a certificate of competency
175 issued by the department. The scope of certification is limited
176 to alarm circuits originating in the alarm control panel and
177 equipment governed by the applicable provisions of Articles 722,
178 725, 760, 770, 800, and 810 of the National Electrical Code,
179 Current Edition, and National Fire Protection Association
180 Standard 72, Current Edition. The scope of certification for
181 alarm system contractors also includes the installation, repair,
182 fabrication, erection, alteration, addition, or design of
183 electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus,
184 raceways, and conduit, or any part thereof not to exceed 98
185 volts (RMS), when those items are for the purpose of
186 transmitting data or proprietary video (satellite systems that
187 are not part of a community antenna television or radio
188 distribution system) or providing central vacuum capability,
189 surveillance cameras, or electric locks; however, this provision
190 governing the scope of certification does not create any
191 mandatory licensure requirement.
192 Section 6. Subsection (10) of section 553.73, Florida
193 Statutes, is amended to read:
194 553.73 Florida Building Code.—
195 (10) The following buildings, structures, and facilities
196 are exempt from the Florida Building Code as provided by law,
197 and any further exemptions shall be as determined by the
198 Legislature and provided by law:
199 (a) Buildings and structures specifically regulated and
200 preempted by the Federal Government.
201 (b) Railroads and ancillary facilities associated with the
202 railroad.
203 (c) Nonresidential farm buildings on farms.
204 (d) Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for
205 construction purposes.
206 (e) Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices,
207 except that the provisions of part II relating to accessibility
208 by persons with disabilities apply to such mobile or modular
209 structures.
210 (f) Those structures or facilities of electric utilities,
211 as defined in s. 366.02, which are directly involved in the
212 generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
213 (g) Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in
214 commercial motion picture or television production, or any
215 sound-recording equipment used in such production, on or off the
216 premises.
217 (h) Storage sheds that are not designed for human
218 habitation and that have a floor area of 720 square feet or less
219 are not required to comply with the mandatory wind-borne-debris
220 impact standards of the Florida Building Code. In addition, such
221 buildings that are 400 square feet or less and that are intended
222 for use in conjunction with one- and two-family residences are
223 not subject to the door height and width requirements of the
224 Florida Building Code.
225 (i) Chickees constructed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians
226 of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As used in this
227 paragraph, the term “chickee” means an open-sided wooden hut
228 that has a thatched roof of palm or palmetto or other
229 traditional materials, and that does not incorporate any
230 electrical, plumbing, or other nonwood features.
231 (j) Family mausoleums not exceeding 250 square feet in area
232 which are prefabricated and assembled on site or preassembled
233 and delivered on site and have walls, roofs, and a floor
234 constructed of granite, marble, or reinforced concrete.
235 (k) A building or structure having less than 1,000 square
236 feet which is constructed and owned by a natural person for
237 hunting and which is repaired or reconstructed to the same
238 dimension and condition as existed on January 1, 2011, if the
239 building or structure:
240 1. Is not rented or leased or used as a principal
241 residence;
242 2. Is not located within the 100-year floodplain according
243 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current Flood
244 Insurance Rate Map; and
245 3. Is not connected to an offsite electric power or water
246 supply.
247 (l) A drone port as defined in s. 330.41(2).
248 (m) Any system or equipment, whether affixed or movable,
249 which is located on property within a spaceport territory
250 pursuant to s. 331.304 and which is used for the production,
251 erection, alteration, modification, repair, launch, processing,
252 recovery, transport, integration, fueling, conditioning, or
253 equipping of a space launch vehicle, payload, or spacecraft.
254
255 With the exception of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (f), in
256 order to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public,
257 the Florida Building Commission may, by rule adopted pursuant to
258 chapter 120, provide for exceptions to the broad categories of
259 buildings exempted in this section, including exceptions for
260 application of specific sections of the code or standards
261 adopted therein. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer
262 Services shall have exclusive authority to adopt by rule,
263 pursuant to chapter 120, exceptions to nonresidential farm
264 buildings exempted in paragraph (c) when reasonably necessary to
265 preserve public health, safety, and welfare. The exceptions must
266 be based upon specific criteria, such as under-roof floor area,
267 aggregate electrical service capacity, HVAC system capacity, or
268 other building requirements. Further, the commission may
269 recommend to the Legislature additional categories of buildings,
270 structures, or facilities which should be exempted from the
271 Florida Building Code, to be provided by law. The Florida
272 Building Code does not apply to temporary housing provided by
273 the Department of Corrections to any prisoner in the state
274 correctional system.
275 Section 7. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
276 553.79, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (11) of
277 that section is reenacted, to read:
278 553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.—
279 (1)
280 (f) A local government may not require a contract between a
281 builder and an owner, any copies of such contract, or any
282 associated document, including, but not limited to, letters of
283 intent, material costs lists, labor costs, or overhead or profit
284 statements, for the issuance of a building permit or as a
285 requirement for the submission of a building permit application.
286 (11) Any state agency whose enabling legislation authorizes
287 it to enforce provisions of the Florida Building Code may enter
288 into an agreement with any other unit of government to delegate
289 its responsibility to enforce those provisions and may expend
290 public funds for permit and inspection fees, which fees may be
291 no greater than the fees charged others. Inspection services
292 that are not required to be performed by a state agency under a
293 federal delegation of responsibility or by a state agency under
294 the Florida Building Code must be performed under the
295 alternative plans review and inspection process created in s.
296 553.791 or by a local governmental entity having authority to
297 enforce the Florida Building Code.
298 Section 8. Paragraphs (l) and (q) of subsection (1) and
299 subsections (5) through (8) of section 553.791, Florida
300 Statutes, are amended to read:
301 553.791 Alternative plans review and inspection.—
302 (1) As used in this section, the term:
303 (l) “Permit application” means a properly completed and
304 submitted application for the requested building or construction
305 permit, including:
306 1. The plans reviewed by the private provider, or in the
307 case of a single-trade plans review where a private provider
308 uses an automated or software-based plans review system pursuant
309 to subsection (6), the information reviewed by the automated or
310 software-based plans review system to determine compliance with
311 one or more applicable codes.
312 2. The affidavit from the private provider required under
313 subsection (6).
314 3. Any applicable fees.
315 4. Any documents required by the local building official to
316 determine that the fee owner has secured all other government
317 approvals required by law.
318 (q) “Single-trade inspection” or “single-trade plans
319 review” means any inspection or plans review focused on a single
320 construction trade, such as plumbing, mechanical, or electrical.
321 The term includes, but is not limited to, inspections or plans
322 reviews of door or window replacements; fences and block walls
323 more than 6 feet high from the top of the wall to the bottom of
324 the footing; stucco or plastering; reroofing with no structural
325 alteration; solar energy and energy storage installations or
326 alterations; HVAC replacements; ductwork or fan replacements;
327 alteration or installation of wiring, lighting, and service
328 panels; water heater changeouts; sink replacements; and
329 repiping.
330 (5) After construction has commenced and if either the
331 local building official is unable to provide inspection services
332 in a timely manner or the work subject to inspection is related
333 to a single-trade inspection for a single-family or two-family
334 dwelling, the fee owner or the fee owner’s contractor may elect
335 to use a private provider to provide inspection services by
336 notifying the local building official of the owner’s or
337 contractor’s intention to do so by 2 p.m. local time, 2 business
338 days before the next scheduled inspection using the notice
339 provided for in paragraphs (4)(a)-(c).
340 (6) A private provider performing plans review under this
341 section shall review the plans to determine compliance with the
342 applicable codes. For single-trade plans reviews, a private
343 provider may use an automated or software-based plans review
344 system designed to determine compliance with one or more
345 applicable codes, including, but not limited to, the National
346 Electrical Code and the Florida Building Code. Upon determining
347 that the plans reviewed comply with the applicable codes, the
348 private provider shall prepare an affidavit or affidavits
349 certifying, under oath, that the following is true and correct
350 to the best of the private provider’s knowledge and belief:
351 (a) The plans were reviewed by the affiant, who is duly
352 authorized to perform plans review pursuant to this section and
353 holds the appropriate license or certificate.
354 (b) The plans comply with the applicable codes.
355
356 Such affidavit may bear a written or electronic signature and
357 may be submitted electronically to the local building official.
358 (7)(a) No more than 20 business days, or if the permit
359 application is related to a single-trade plans review for a
360 single-family or two-family dwelling, no more than 5 business
361 days, after receipt of a permit application and the affidavit
362 from the private provider required pursuant to subsection (6),
363 the local building official shall issue the requested permit or
364 provide a written notice to the permit applicant identifying the
365 specific plan features that do not comply with the applicable
366 codes, as well as the specific code chapters and sections. If
367 the local building official does not provide a written notice of
368 the plan deficiencies within the prescribed time 20-day period,
369 the permit application must shall be deemed approved as a matter
370 of law, and the permit must shall be issued by the local
371 building official on the next business day.
372 (b) If the local building official provides a written
373 notice of plan deficiencies to the permit applicant within the
374 prescribed time 20-day period, the time 20-day period is shall
375 be tolled pending resolution of the matter. To resolve the plan
376 deficiencies, the permit applicant may elect to dispute the
377 deficiencies pursuant to subsection (15) or to submit revisions
378 to correct the deficiencies.
379 (c) If the permit applicant submits revisions, the local
380 building official has the remainder of the tolled time 20-day
381 period plus 5 business days after from the date of resubmittal
382 to issue the requested permit or to provide a second written
383 notice to the permit applicant stating which of the previously
384 identified plan features remain in noncompliance with the
385 applicable codes, with specific reference to the relevant code
386 chapters and sections. Any subsequent review by the local
387 building official is limited to the deficiencies cited in the
388 written notice. If the local building official does not provide
389 the second written notice within the prescribed time period, the
390 permit must shall be deemed approved as a matter of law, and the
391 local building official must issue the permit on the next
392 business day.
393 (d) If the local building official provides a second
394 written notice of plan deficiencies to the permit applicant
395 within the prescribed time period, the permit applicant may
396 elect to dispute the deficiencies pursuant to subsection (15) or
397 to submit additional revisions to correct the deficiencies. For
398 all revisions submitted after the first revision, the local
399 building official has an additional 5 business days after from
400 the date of resubmittal to issue the requested permit or to
401 provide a written notice to the permit applicant stating which
402 of the previously identified plan features remain in
403 noncompliance with the applicable codes, with specific reference
404 to the relevant code chapters and sections.
405 (8) A private provider performing required inspections
406 under this section shall inspect each phase of construction as
407 required by the applicable codes. Such inspection, including a
408 single-trade inspection, may be performed in person in-person or
409 virtually. The private provider may have a duly authorized
410 representative perform the required inspections, provided all
411 required reports are prepared by and bear the written or
412 electronic signature of the private provider or the private
413 provider’s duly authorized representative. The duly authorized
414 representative must be an employee of the private provider
415 entitled to receive reemployment assistance benefits under
416 chapter 443. The contractor’s contractual or legal obligations
417 are not relieved by any action of the private provider.
418 Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
419 made by this act to section 489.505, Florida Statutes, in a
420 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 201.21, Florida
421 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
422 201.21 Notes and other written obligations exempt under
423 certain conditions.—
424 (2) There shall be exempt from all excise taxes imposed by
425 this chapter all non-interest-bearing promissory notes, non
426 interest-bearing nonnegotiable notes, or non-interest-bearing
427 written obligations to pay money, or assignments of salaries,
428 wages, or other compensation made, executed, delivered, sold,
429 transferred, or assigned in the state, and for each renewal of
430 the same, of $3,500 or less, when given by a customer to an
431 alarm system contractor, as defined in s. 489.505, in connection
432 with the sale of an alarm system as defined in s. 489.505.
433 Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
434 made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a
435 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
436 177.073, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
437 177.073 Expedited approval of residential building permits
438 before a final plat is recorded.—
439 (4)(a) An applicant may use a private provider pursuant to
440 s. 553.791 to expedite the application process for building
441 permits after a preliminary plat is approved under this section.
442 Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
443 made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in
444 references thereto, paragraphs (i) and (j) of subsection (1) of
445 section 468.621, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
446 468.621 Disciplinary proceedings.—
447 (1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the
448 disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken:
449 (i) Failing to lawfully execute the duties and
450 responsibilities specified in this part and ss. 553.73, 553.781,
451 553.79, and 553.791.
452 (j) Performing building code inspection services under s.
453 553.791 without satisfying the insurance requirements of that
454 section.
455 Section 12. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
456 made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a
457 reference thereto, paragraph (l) of subsection (1) of section
458 471.033, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
459 471.033 Disciplinary proceedings.—
460 (1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the
461 disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken:
462 (l) Performing building code inspection services under s.
463 553.791, without satisfying the insurance requirements of that
464 section.
465 Section 13. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
466 made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a
467 reference thereto, paragraph (l) of subsection (1) of section
468 481.225, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
469 481.225 Disciplinary proceedings against registered
470 architects.—
471 (1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the
472 disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken:
473 (l) Performing building code inspection services under s.
474 553.791, without satisfying the insurance requirements of that
475 section.
476 Section 14. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
477 made by this act to section 553.791, Florida Statutes, in a
478 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section
479 553.80, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
480 553.80 Enforcement.—
481 (7)(a) The governing bodies of local governments may
482 provide a schedule of reasonable fees, as authorized by s.
483 125.56(2) or s. 166.222 and this section, for enforcing this
484 part. These fees, and any fines or investment earnings related
485 to the fees, may only be used for carrying out the local
486 government’s responsibilities in enforcing the Florida Building
487 Code. When providing a schedule of reasonable fees, the total
488 estimated annual revenue derived from fees, and the fines and
489 investment earnings related to the fees, may not exceed the
490 total estimated annual costs of allowable activities. Any
491 unexpended balances must be carried forward to future years for
492 allowable activities or must be refunded at the discretion of
493 the local government. A local government may not carry forward
494 an amount exceeding the average of its operating budget for
495 enforcing the Florida Building Code for the previous 4 fiscal
496 years. For purposes of this subsection, the term “operating
497 budget” does not include reserve amounts. Any amount exceeding
498 this limit must be used as authorized in subparagraph 2.
499 However, a local government that established, as of January 1,
500 2019, a Building Inspections Fund Advisory Board consisting of
501 five members from the construction stakeholder community and
502 carries an unexpended balance in excess of the average of its
503 operating budget for the previous 4 fiscal years may continue to
504 carry such excess funds forward upon the recommendation of the
505 advisory board. The basis for a fee structure for allowable
506 activities must relate to the level of service provided by the
507 local government and must include consideration for refunding
508 fees due to reduced services based on services provided as
509 prescribed by s. 553.791, but not provided by the local
510 government. Fees charged must be consistently applied.
511 1. As used in this subsection, the phrase “enforcing the
512 Florida Building Code” includes the direct costs and reasonable
513 indirect costs associated with review of building plans,
514 building inspections, reinspections, and building permit
515 processing; building code enforcement; and fire inspections
516 associated with new construction. The phrase may also include
517 training costs associated with the enforcement of the Florida
518 Building Code and enforcement action pertaining to unlicensed
519 contractor activity to the extent not funded by other user fees.
520 2. A local government must use any excess funds that it is
521 prohibited from carrying forward to rebate and reduce fees, to
522 upgrade technology hardware and software systems to enhance
523 service delivery, to pay for the construction of a building or
524 structure that houses a local government’s building code
525 enforcement agency, or for training programs for building
526 officials, inspectors, or plans examiners associated with the
527 enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Excess funds used to
528 construct such a building or structure must be designated for
529 such purpose by the local government and may not be carried
530 forward for more than 4 consecutive years. An owner or builder
531 who has a valid building permit issued by a local government for
532 a fee, or an association of owners or builders located in the
533 state that has members with valid building permits issued by a
534 local government for a fee, may bring a civil action against the
535 local government that issued the permit for a fee to enforce
536 this subparagraph.
537 3. The following activities may not be funded with fees
538 adopted for enforcing the Florida Building Code:
539 a. Planning and zoning or other general government
540 activities.
541 b. Inspections of public buildings for a reduced fee or no
542 fee.
543 c. Public information requests, community functions,
544 boards, and any program not directly related to enforcement of
545 the Florida Building Code.
546 d. Enforcement and implementation of any other local
547 ordinance, excluding validly adopted local amendments to the
548 Florida Building Code and excluding any local ordinance directly
549 related to enforcing the Florida Building Code as defined in
550 subparagraph 1.
551 4. A local government must use recognized management,
552 accounting, and oversight practices to ensure that fees, fines,
553 and investment earnings generated under this subsection are
554 maintained and allocated or used solely for the purposes
555 described in subparagraph 1.
556 5. The local enforcement agency, independent district, or
557 special district may not require at any time, including at the
558 time of application for a permit, the payment of any additional
559 fees, charges, or expenses associated with:
560 a. Providing proof of licensure under chapter 489;
561 b. Recording or filing a license issued under this chapter;
562 c. Providing, recording, or filing evidence of workers’
563 compensation insurance coverage as required by chapter 440; or
564 d. Charging surcharges or other similar fees not directly
565 related to enforcing the Florida Building Code.
566 Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.