Legislation waiving building permits on single-family residential projects valued under $7,500 was one of five bills Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday night.
“A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner's contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's property,” the bill states.
The measure (HB 803) also limits local government officials from inspecting the work, allows certain out-of-state licensed building officials to work for one year after a declared state of emergency, and provides an exemption from building permits for certain temporary residential hurricane or flood protection walls.
A staff analysis of the bill, which both chambers unanimously approved, states projects may not be divided to evade permitting requirements. But local governments can still require a permit for any electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work regardless of the appraised value.
The changes become law on July 1.
