▼

Building Division

Show All Answers

1. How do I request an inspection on my active permit?

Inspection requests and results are available by contacting the building department at 954.753.5447. Schedule an inspection through the City of Parkland’s Electronic Permitting Site.

2. What is a Business Tax Receipt, and how do I obtain an application and more information?

A Business Tax Receipt, formerly known as an Occupational License, is required if your commercial or home business is physically located in the City of Parkland. Visit the Commercial Business Tax Receipts page for additional information, printable applications, and contact information.

3. What is the purpose of the Notice of Commencement form?

A certified copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement must be submitted to the Building Division prior to the first inspection for permitted work where the direct contract is greater than $2,500, or in the case of existing heating or A/C equipment replacement, greater than $7,500. For more information, please see the Overview of the Construction Lien Law Posted on this site.

4. What information is required when I want to change contractors?

Broward County Administrative Provisions, Section 104.9.4 sets forth the requirements for notification of all interested parties, and for protection of public employees from legal ramifications in the event of a change of contractor. If a building permit has been issued to a contractor who is unwilling or unable to complete the contract, another permit may subsequently be issued to another contractor. The Change of Contractor form must be filled out and signed where required. Along with this, you must also submit proof of certified mail to the contractor of notification that he is no longer the qualifier for the job, and a new permit application from the new contractor. See also Florida Statutes 489.126 for further information.

5. When do I need to fill out an Owner-Builder Exemption form?

The completed Owner-Builder Exemption form must be submitted with any Owner-Builder Permit Application.

6. When is the Product Approval Schedule/Comparison Chart submitted?

The Florida Building Code mandates that all components in the Building Envelope must be products which are “approved” for use as shown on your plans. This Schedule is to be completed for all new construction, including remodeling, in which windows, doors, skylights, vents, and other products are to be incorporated into the exterior walls and/or roof of a building. Each product must be an “approved” product as outlined by the Florida Building Code. All products must also be approved for use by your Architect or Engineer of Record, and the Tested Pressure of each product (size-specific) must meet or exceed the Design Pressure specified by the A/E of Record. This addendum to your permit plans, consisting of this Schedule and all referenced product approval documentation, must be submitted early in the construction process, usually before the Tie Beam inspection can be scheduled, and must be approved by our plans examiner prior to the installation of the referenced products.

7. What is a Homeowner Survey Affidavit, and when is it required?

A survey which is submitted as part of a permit application should be no more than one year old. It must show all existing structures, easements, and rights-of-way. The Homeowner Survey Affidavit enables the homeowner to attest that the existing survey does show all required data, and it is required to be submitted with any survey which is more than one year old.

8. When do I need to submit the A/C & Mechanical Replacement Information Form?

Two copies of this summary sheet must be submitted with a permit application for the replacement of Air Conditioning equipment.

9. New Pools, and Pools completed on or after October 1, 2000:

New pools, and pools which had not received a final inspection until October 1, 2000, are governed by the Pool Safety Act, which has been fine-tuned and is now incorporated within the Florida Building Code.

The Pool Safety Act requirements are as stringent as they are complex. The basic requirement is that any new pool must be built with protection by means of fence, screen enclosure, alarms, baby barrier, or a combination of these components which serves to provide a barrier to entrance to the pool from all directions, for 360 degrees around the pool.

Access the 424.2.17 residential swimming barrier requirement online (a part of the Florida Building Code), then select Florida Building Code 2007, the Building volume, Chapter 4, Section 424.2.17.

Existing Pools Completed After May 22, 1996 But Before September 30, 2000: On May 22, 1996, the City passed a fence ordinance requiring a minimum 4’-high fence, with self-closing, self-locking gate(s), or a screen enclosure, around any pool which had not yet been completed, or for which the final inspection had not yet been approved. However, there is an exception for a property located on a waterway: no fence is required along the plot line(s) bounded by water. And, exempted from these enclosure requirements are pools located in A-1, AE-1, and AE-2 zoning districts, such as Tall Pines, Pinetree Estates, and the Ranches.

City Ordinance 22-88(6) may be found among the ordinances posted at Municode, or visit the City of Parkland website.

Existing Pools Completed Prior To May 22, 1996: There were no code-mandated requirements for a new pool completed prior to May 22, 1996 to have a fence or screen enclosure.

10. When do I need an electrical permit?

The code requires that an electrical permit be obtained prior to adding to, or extending any high or low voltage electrical circuit. The only work that clearly does not require a permit is the direct replacement of a fan or fixture with a fan or a fixture. Extension cords may never be used in lieu of permanent wiring.

11. Can we arrange for temporary power during construction?

Yes. Your electrical contractor can apply for a permit to install a temporary pole or a temporary underground service (TUGS). Contact your Florida Power and Light (FPL) Service Planner to determine which method is appropriate for your job site.

12. What is the 30-day Electrical Testing Connection Application?

This form is part of the requirement to obtain temporary power for testing of electrical equipment. See the Building Division FAQ "We're almost finished with the job, when can the power be turned on in the building?" for more information.

13. We're almost finished with the job, when can the power be turned on in the building?

The electrical contractor and the general contractor or owner may apply for a “30-day Electrical Testing Connection” Permit after the electrical installation is complete. If, after inspection, the installation is deemed to be safe by the electrical inspector, the building power may be connected for the purpose of testing equipment and verifying circuiting. This is not a substitute for a certificate of occupancy and does not allow final use of the structure.

14. How can I get help in hiring a licensed contractor?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation regulates contractor licensing in the State of Florida. There is a lot of information available online regarding your role in hiring a contractor. You can also verify licensure status online. The most comprehensive source of information can be found on the DBPR website, which can be accessed at MyFlorida.com. Local Licensing is under the jurisdiction of the Broward County Central Examining Board, and information can be found at broward.org/building.

15. I recently moved into this house and find that there is an "expired permit" or "work without permit" problem at this address. Is this my problem now?

Yes. All construction work which is required to be permitted is the responsibility of the current property owner. Please contact the Building Division at 954.753.5447 to discuss procedures specific to your situation for obtaining a permit and bringing the work into compliance.

16. When is a permit required?

A permit is required for work on your property involving physical changes to an existing structure, or the addition of a new structure. Some examples are: new construction, building alterations, room additions, driveways, pools, screen enclosures, fences, pavers, re-roofing work, garage conversions, air conditioning unit replacement, new electrical service, rewiring, replacement of exterior doors and windows, hot water heater replacement, change of use or occupancy, structural repairs, and the demolition or removal of structures including pools, screen enclosures and fences. This listing is not meant to be complete; if you are unsure whether or not a permit is required for your project, please call the Building Division.

Note: a permit, where required, must be applied for and acquired before any such work may commence.

17. What is required when applying for a permit?

In general, two copies of a complete, current survey and two sets of signed and sealed plans must be submitted with the permit application for review. When your plans are fully approved, you will pick up your permit along with one set of plans for your use during construction and inspections. Note that there are many types of permits for which the submittal requirements may be different. Please call the Building Division for specific information.

18. As a homeowner, what is the benefit to me of the permitting process?

Life safety is the focus of building codes and related codes and standards. The permitting process, established by Florida Statutes, the Florida Building Code and the Broward County Administrative Provisions, Chapter 1 of the FBC, requires the Building Division to verify that the contractor and subcontractors working on your job are properly licensed and insured, that the plans submitted meet minimum code requirements, that work is inspected at key points during construction, that these inspections are approved before construction can proceed, and that a final inspection is approved in order to close out the permit.

19. Can I apply for an Owner-Builder Permit for my project?

Florida law, specifically Florida Statutes Chapter 489, requires construction to be done by licensed contractors. There is, however, an exemption which allows a property owner to act as his own contractor, as long as certain specific requirements are met. These are outlined in Section 489.103(7). Please review the current version of this law on-line, and refer to the owner-builder Disclosure Statement and the owner-builder questionnaire, posted on this site, which must be completed and submitted with an owner-builder permit application. As noted in this documentation, you may not hire an unlicensed person as your contractor; you must supervise the construction yourself; anyone working under your supervision (other than licensed and insured contractors) must be employed by you, and you must deduct FICA and withholding tax and provide worker’s compensation insurance for that employee; and you may not offer the building (or building with improvement) for sale or lease within one year after construction is complete.

20. How can I tell whether or not a Permit has been issued for a particular project?

Please contact the Building Division. We can access permit information in the computer system by address, owner, or contractor. This information is not available on-line at this time.

21. My Permit Application has not yet been approved. May I begin the work?

No, an approved Permit must be obtained and posted at the job-site with the approved plans prior to the commencement of any work. The Florida Building Code provides for substantial penalties for working without a permit.

22. What is meant by a "current" survey?

A survey which is submitted as part of a permit application must be no more than one year old, and must show all existing structures, easements, and rights-of-way.

23. When is a permit not required?

All work where exempt from permit shall still be required to comply with the Code. A permit is generally not required for maintenance or repairs, including repairs of roof coverings, which do not affect occupancy and which are valued at less than $1,500 in labor and materials as determined by the Building Official. A permit is not required for interior or exterior painting, for repairs of leaks, unstopping of sewers or waste pipes, repairing faucets or valves, cleaning of septic tanks, or for placement of chemical toilets on construction sites.

24. What are the procedures for plan review?

All plans submitted with a permit application must be reviewed for code compliance. Structural, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical reviews are conducted by certified plans examiners within the Building Division, and plans are also reviewed by the Zoning Director, the Landscape Reviewer, and the City Engineer and Fire Marshall if required. Each plan submittal is routed to the appropriate divisions and departments based on the scope of the proposed work.

25. I have approved plans, and need to make a plan change. What is the procedure?

Permit application signed by home owner and qualifier, and two sets of plans.