Building permit application to local government.

(1)(a) A local government must approve, approve with conditions, or deny a building permit application after receipt of a completed and sufficient application within the following timeframes, unless the applicant waives such timeframes in writing:

1. Within 5 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a local government plans reviewer to obtain the following building permits for an existing single-family residential dwelling if the value of the work is less than $15,000: structural, accessory structure, alarm, electrical, gas, irrigation, landscaping, mechanical, plumbing, or roofing.

2. Within 30 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a local government plans reviewer to obtain the following building permits if the structure is less than 7,500 square feet: residential units, including a single-family residential unit or a single-family residential dwelling, accessory structure, alarm, electrical, irrigation, landscaping, mechanical, plumbing, or roofing.

3. Within 60 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a local government plans reviewer to obtain the following building permits if the structure is 7,500 square feet or more: residential units, including a single-family residential unit or a single-family residential dwelling, accessory structure, alarm, electrical, irrigation, landscaping, mechanical, plumbing, or roofing.

4. Within 60 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a local government plans reviewer to obtain the following building permits: signs or nonresidential buildings that are less than 25,000 square feet.

5. Within 60 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a local government plans reviewer to obtain the following building permits: multifamily residential, not exceeding 50 units; site-plan approvals and subdivision plats not requiring public hearing or public notice; and lot grading and site alteration.

6. Within 12 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant using a master building permit consistent with s. 553.794 to obtain a site-specific building permit.

7. Within 10 business days after receiving a complete and sufficient application, for an applicant for a single-family residential dwelling applied for by a contractor licensed in this state on behalf of a property owner who participates in a Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, unless the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida Building Code or the enforcing agency’s laws or ordinances.

However, the local government may not require the waiver of the timeframes in this section as a condition precedent to reviewing an applicant’s building permit application.

(b) A local government must meet the timeframes set forth in this section for reviewing building permit applications unless the timeframes set by local ordinance are more stringent than those prescribed in this section.

(c) After an applicant submits an application to the local government, the local government must provide written notice to the applicant within 5 business days after receipt of the application advising the applicant what information, if any, is needed to deem or determine that the application is properly completed in compliance with the filing requirements published by the local government. If the local government does not provide timely written notice that the applicant has not submitted the properly completed application, the application is automatically deemed or determined to be properly completed and accepted.

(d) A local government shall maintain on its website a policy containing procedures and expectations for expedited processing of those building permits and development orders required by law to be expedited.

(e) If a local government fails to meet a deadline under this subsection, it must reduce the building permit fee by 10 percent for each business day that it fails to meet the deadline, unless the parties agree in writing to a reasonable extension of time, the delay is caused by the applicant, or the delay is attributable to a force majeure or other extraordinary circumstances. Each 10-percent reduction shall be based on the original amount of the building permit fee, unless the parties agree to an extension of time.

(f) A local enforcement agency does not have to reduce the building permit fee if it provides written notice to the applicant by e-mail or United States Postal Service within the respective timeframes in paragraph (a) which specifically states the reasons the permit application fails to satisfy the Florida Building Code or the enforcing agency’s laws or ordinances. The written notice must also state that the applicant has 10 business days after receiving the written notice to submit revisions to correct the permit application and that failure to correct the application within 10 business days will result in a denial of the application.

(g) If the applicant submits revisions within 10 business days after receiving the written notice, the local enforcement agency has 10 business days after receiving such revisions to approve or deny the building permit unless the applicant agrees to a longer period in writing. If the local enforcement agency fails to issue or deny the building permit within 10 business days after receiving the revisions, it must reduce the building permit fee by 20 percent for each business day that it fails to meet the deadline unless the applicant agrees to a longer period in writing.

(2) If any building permit fees are refunded under this section, the surcharges provided in s. 468.631 or s. 553.721 must be recalculated based on the amount of the building permit fees after the refund.