Putting the

Customer-First

County Closure Notice

Please note that Orange County Government will suspend operations today at 3 p.m. due to the impending storm. Inspections will conclude and Division of Building Safety operations will be closed for the rest of the day starting at 3 p.m. Operations are expected to resume as normal tomorrow morning.

Significant Wind Event(s) Possible

Now is the time to cleanup jobsites and secure outdoor items to reduce the risk of airborne debris in a possible high-wind event.

Read more from the National Weather Service briefing for severe weather impacting Orange County on January 9, 2024:

A strong storm system over the Central U.S. will continue to intensify as it moves eastward, bringing the potential for a multi-hazard severe weather event affecting Orange County today, Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

A few individual strong to severe thunderstorms could pose a risk for tornadoes and damaging wind gusts ahead of the primary squall line. The primary and more significant risks will arrive in tandem with a maturing squall line capable of producing widespread damaging to destructive winds (70 mph or greater) and embedded tornadoes developing along the leading edge. The large wind field associated with this system may result in a few strong tornadoes (EF-2 or greater).

• Severe Weather Watches and Warnings may be issued overnight; please be sure to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts overnight! 
• Power outages, downed trees/limbs, and damage to structures (especially mobile/manufactured homes) will be possible. 
• Tornadoes may cause localized greater structural impacts

Please visit Ready.gov/Severe-Weather for more storm preparedness resources and information.

Severe Weather and Hurricane Preparedness

How to Prepare for Severe Weather

Visit Weather.gov and Ready.gov to learn what actions to take in the event of a severe weather watch or warning in your area.

• Create an emergency communication plan for your family and business.
• Prepare a disaster supply kit.
• Know the local hurricane evacuation route and shelter locations.
• Protect your home, including proper tree trimming.
• Construction firms should have a jobsite preparedness plan in place which is communicated to all crew members.

Greater Orlando Builders Association has put together a helpful guide for Jobsite Hurricane Preparedness. Download PDF Here

View Orange County's Storm Safety Guide.

2023 Building Code Update and Notices

The 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code became effective on December 31, 2023. You can find the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition online here. Below are some important notices related to the implementation of the new code, relevant to Mechanical and Plumbing trades.

The 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code became effective on December 31, 2023. You can find the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition online here. Below are some important notices related to the implementation of the new code, relevant to Mechanical and Plumbing trades.

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)

HVAC Equipment & Mobile Homes Information

Please find below some helpful information regarding new installation and upgrades of HVAC equipment as well as mobile home construction requirements.

NEW INSTALLATION AND UPGRADES OF HVAC EQUIPMENT

Section R501.7.2, Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Energy Conservation, does not apply to either new installation or the upgrade of HVAC equipment except under certain circumstances. 

Per section R101.4.2, the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition, Energy Conservation only applies when the existing building is considered a “renovated building,” is undergoing a change in occupancy, or was a previously unconditioned building to which comfort conditioning is added. The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), defines a “renovated building” as “a residential or nonresidential building undergoing alteration that varies or changes insulation, HVAC systems, water heating systems or exterior envelope conditions, provided the estimated cost of renovation exceeds 30 percent of the assessed value of the structure.” 

Therefore, unless the total renovation cost exceeds 30 percent of the assessed value of the structure, Section R501.7.2 does not apply to the new installation or upgrade of HVAC equipment.

• R501.7.2 Electric space heating – Electric resistance shall not be the primary space heating system type used for complete central equipment replacements in Climate Zone 2.
•  R101.4.2 Exempt buildings – Buildings exempt from the provisions of the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, include existing buildings except those considered renovated buildings, changes of occupancy type or previously unconditioned buildings to which comfort conditioning is added. Exempt buildings include those specified in Sections R101.4.2.1 through R101.4.2.4. 
•  Renovated Building – A residential or nonresidential building undergoing alteration that varies or changes insulation, HVAC systems, water heating systems or exterior envelope conditions, provided the estimated cost of renovation exceeds 30 percent of the assessed value of the structure.

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)

Plumbing Information

EMERGENCY RULE DELAYING THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR BUILDING SEWER AND DRAIN REHABILITATION REQUIREMENTS.

This is to let you know that via emergency rule and notwithstanding the Florida Building Code, the effective date for the provisions of Section 718, Rehabilitation of Building Sewers and Building Drains, Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8^th. Edition (2023), has been delayed until March 30, 2024. 

For more information, please see the backup materials as posted on the December 28, 2023, Commission meeting agenda.

Should you have any questions, please contact us at (850) 487-1824.

Elevation Certificate Upload Requirement

If your permit has been identified as needing an Elevation Certificate Inspection, also known as a "135 Inspection", Please upload your Elevation Certificate with 3^rd party-verified digital signature or a scanned PDF (of the physical document with raised seal) using the "Other Documents" upload link . This is essential for your review to proceed smoothly. Should you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to Randall Sullivan at 407-836-5612 or via email at [email protected].

2023 Year in Review

Orange County Division of Building Safety, one of the largest Building Code Administrative bodies in Central Florida, continues to develop and launch upgrades to our Fast Track Online Services.

In 2023, Building Safety, together with Development Services, launched a Staff Directory on Fast Track to enable easy access to contact information for our staff members. We removed the requirement to upload a signed and notarized permit application "Page 2", saving valuable customer and staff time and some 55,000 sheets of paper per year. We also rolled out Virtual Inspection scheduling on Fast Track.

We launched videos highlighting our staff at the 2023 Hurricane Expo, our Building Inspections team, and our "Orange You Amazing" winner, Deputy Chief Scott Mears. We offered free CEU training to license holders during Building Safety Month and also during our 2023 "Project Superintendent" training course, in partnership with Greater Orlando Builders Association. We hosted four educational "Customer-First" Customer Q&A events to share updates about Florida's Live Local Act, upcoming changes to the Arbor/Tree Ordinance, Lot Grading guidelines, elevation certificates, impact fee increases and more!

Finally, in our commitment to speed and transparency, we continually updated our weekly report on Fast Track to display our service delivery stats and turnaround time averages. With more than 80,000 permits issued and 312,000 inspections conducted, we had a very busy year. Thank you for your support and partnership. We look forward to serving you in 2024!

Service Delivery Statistics

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