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Building & Permitting

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Building & Permitting staff review building plans and provide technical inspections in order to ensure every building project in the City conforms to the appropriate codes and regulations.

House Bill 1307 allows the use of Private Providers for building plans examination and inspections. Please check this link for important information about the use of Private Providers in the City of Sarasota; and if you wish to use Private Providers, fill out these Private Provider Forms and Affidavit. Submit the completed forms to the City's Building Department.

Current Building Code in Effect

Blower Door Test Requirements

Effective December 31, 2017

2017 Residential Building Code

On December 31, 2017 the 2017 Florida Building Code took effect. Below is the link to the Florida Building Commission:

Florida Building Commission

Florida Building Code Effective Dates

New 2010 Florida Building Code Wind Map

Building Permit Status Lookup

[When entering address, Do Not enter AV, ST, LN, DR, etc. Do Use initial only to indicate N S E W]

Inquire about Building Permit Status by Application or Permit Number

Inquire about Building Permit Status by Site Address

Applying for a Building Permit

Building Permit Forms

Commercial Building

Demolition

Fees

FEMA

Pools & Docks

Residential Building

Residents: Your Neighborhood Association may require compliance with their Rules and Regulations governing construction on your property. Please check with your Association officials prior to applying for a Building Permit. If you live on Bird Key please be sure the form below is submitted with your Building Permit application.

Roofing

Trees

Contractor Information

Contractor Registration Information

State Certified Contractors: Are required to register with the City of Sarasota and provide proper credentials to include: copy of Certified State License, proof of Certificate of Liability insurance and Workers’ Compensation Insurance or exemptions. There is no fee for Certified Contractors.

State Registered Contractors: Are required to register with the City of Sarasota and provide credentials to include: copy of Registered License, copy of Letter of Reciprocity from Sarasota County, Copy of Certificate of Liability Insurance and Workers’ Compensation. Note that the signature on the Contractor’s Affidavit must be sworn and notarized. For convenience, City Staff includes a notary public with a fee. An Original application form may not be faxed and must be mailed to the City of Sarasota Building Department, 1565 First Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 or brought in person to the Building Department. Contractors must renew their registration by October 1st every two years. Registration fee is $50.00.

Specialty Tradespersons [anyone who performs work under contract within the City of Sarasota and whose trade or craft is not certified or registered by the State of Florida] are required to register prior to pulling a permit or performing work. This primarily affects landscape contractors, tree removal services, painters, drywall contractors, framing contractors and other skilled craftsmen and craftswomen whose trade is not registered with the State. Specialty Tradespersons must provide proof of liability insurance [$50,000 per person/$100,000 per occurrence], proof of Worker´s Compensation Insurance [or an exemption by the State of Florida Waiver Form BCM 204]. If you have taken a local examination and have received a competency card from your jurisdiction, please provide a copy of that card. Registering as a Specialty Tradesperson provides the ability to use authorized agents as discussed above. The registration fee is $150.00 every 2 years. Specialty Tradespersons must renew their registration by October 1st every two years.

Note that Contractors and Specialty Tradespersons are subject to Local Business Tax Receipt if their business is operated from a location within the City of Sarasota City Limits. For most Contractors/Specialty Tradespersons, the cost is approximately $50.00 annually depending on your business location and classification. For more information, see below.

Inspections

Note: The Inspections Line Hours of Operation are Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm; Call 941-954-4126.

Miscellaneous

Building & Fire Board of Rules and Appeals

The Board of Rules and Appeals was established to:

  • hear appeals
  • approve alternative standards to various model building codes
  • certify contractors
  • hear and decide whether or not to suspend or revoke a contractor certificate of competency
  • deny issuance or renewal of certificates
  • to impose fines
  • deny the issuance of building permits for cause.

The Board consists of 9 members each possessing the specific technical and professional skills necessary to accomplish the work of the board. Meetings are generally held once per quarter in the Building Department Conference Room.

Customer Feedback

Click Here to provide your comments about our service, and e-mail your comments to Joyce.Williams@sarasotaFL.gov. Thank you.

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