Construction permits (Sarasota, Siesta Key: HOA, insurance, condo)

[pdm_ad]

Does anyone have a link to info about when I would need to obtain a permit from Sarasota County when working on my condo? I found this on google:

https://building.scgov.net/OSG/Saras...quirements.pdf

but the link doesn't work. Haven't seen much information beyond that. I am just looking to redo a bathroom/kitchen and take out a few non-load bearing interior walls.

[Sunshine Rules]

If you can't get the link to work, you can call the Building Department at 861-6770 and ask your questions. A lot of interior renovation projects don't require permits, but certain plumbing, electrical and demolition/construction projects do.

Better to find out for sure if your planned changes require a permit before you start tearing down walls as you said you're doing renovations on a condo, and some neighbor is sure to hear the demo or see something and call the county for you if you don't call them first. You may also need to get permission from the Board or condo management, depending on the rules of your complex.

[TamRE]

The link you provided is a PDF file. If you do not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for free. Here is the information on the link.


When do I need a Building Permit?
Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit for the work. Sarasota County Ordinance 2000-053, Section D. 104.1.1.
Some Examples of when a Permit IS required:
1.
Any construction which alters the size or occupancy of a building.

Construction, alteration, or replacement of any exterior walls.

Enclosing existing carports, porches and screen rooms for any purpose.

Construction of any raised deck, attached or detached, with or without a roof.

Replacement of columns, beams, joists, rafters, or any other structural component.

Replacement of wall, floor, or roof sheathing.

Repair and replacement of interior or exterior stairs and/or guardrails.

Electrical, plumbing, or air-conditioning when altering, adding to, or deleting from the system.

Interior load bearing and non load bearing walls, alterations or replacements

Replacement of windows, doors, garage doors or skylights in existing or altered wall openings.

Hurricane shutters, all types. Electric permit also required for power operated units.

Roofing, replacement of any roofing component.

Masonry or engineered Styrofoam privacy walls or fences with any masonry components.

Dock, Boat-lift, Seawall, or Bulkhead installation or repair.

Fire repairs of any type or scope.

Storage or utility sheds, all types, all materials, and all sizes.

1.
Motorized or electric gates.

Chickee and Tiki Huts

Some Examples of when a Permit is NOT required: (See Note A below)
1.
Painting. (Except when advertised as water proofing.)

Wall paper and other wall coverings. (Except Assembly, Day Care, and Institutional Occupancies.)

Floor and wall tile.

Rugs or carpeting.

Replacing kitchen cabinets. (See item 8 above.)

Replacement of fascia and soffit. (1 & 2 Family Dwellings only.)

Non-structural siding placed over existing siding/sheathing. (1 & 2 Family Dwellings only.)

Decks and patios directly on grade and without footings. (Any material.)

Small, incidental roof leak repair. (1 Square and $500 or less.)

Non-residential farm buildings on working farms. (Must meet specific criteria and be approved by the building and zoning officials to be exempt.)

FENCES
Permits are no longer required for fences both on the mainland (Ord. No 2011-13, effective 05/17/11) and Siesta Key (Ord. No. 2011-036, effective 07/07/11). However, the standards with regard to height, placement, finished side must face neighbor or right-of-way, etc. are still in effect. For questions regarding fence standards, please call 861-5000 and ask for Zoning.
Note A. Some items above may require a building permit if the building is in a flood zone or part of a greater project.
Issuance of a Building Permit is NOT a license to exceed the Scope of Work listed on the Permit Application. Any change tothe scope of work must be first approved by the building official, and the scope of work list on the permit must be corrected.
Form INF01

[pdm_ad]

Thanks for the replies. Yes Sunshine, our HOA requires written proposals for any changes so I need to present that to the board.

TamRE, I do have Adobe Reader, thanks. Your post actually answers my question; looks like I will need a permit as we plan on making changes to electrical and plumbing.

[Sunshine Rules]

In the long run, it's better to pull permits when required. That way you don't run into issues should you wish to sell your condo sometime in the future. When it comes time to fill out a property disclosure form, you won't have problems answering the questions about permits.

It still amazes me that people yank down walls, add bathrooms, convert porches or garages into living space without proper permits and often not to code. That can become a nightmare later on when trying to sell a home, as buyers worry about being stuck with potential code violations and repair issues. Appraisers for lenders also won't count unpermitted living space, which can hold down the appraisal values. Insurance companies are getting much more particular about code violations too.

There was one particular home in Sarasota that ran into big problems when the investor that "renovated" the lanai into an extra bedroom and den on a home tried to sell it. Turns out the drain field was not sufficient in size for the additional living square footage and there was not enough room in the front yard to extend the drain field. Therefore, anyone buying the home could not go back to the county to get permits for the changes. In the end, the county made the owner rip out the newly renovated rooms and put it back to a lanai. Ouch.

[gitnerdun]

By doing work with a permit and using licensed contractors you do not assume the responsibilities if a leak or other problem arises as a result of the work you had done. Sneak it in and you will be held if something floods a neighbor or two. Be sure the contractor pulls his own permit. Check licenses and see that they carry lots of insurance.