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 railSupport rails163 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 time20-dayperiod, 369 the permit application mustshallbe deemed approved as a matter 370 of law, and the permit mustshallbe 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 time20-dayperiod, the time20-dayperiod isshall375betolled 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 time20-day381 period plus 5 business days afterfromthe 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 mustshallbe 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 afterfrom400 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 personin-personor 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.