Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find the question or answer you're looking for? Click here to ask your own questions!

1.00 - General Questions

• 1.01) Can I get a copy of my house plans?

  Yes. Submit a Record Research Form. There is a small fee for this research.

• 1.02) What Building Codes does Osceola County enforce?

  Osceola County enforces the Florida Building Code.

• 1.03) How do I submit a complaint?

  Call 407-742-0200 or visit our office and fill out a Complaint Form.

• 1.04) Can an after hours (overtime) inspection be scheduled?

  Yes, fill out an After Hours Inspection Request Form located under the Inspections section of the Main Menu. You must pay the minimum fee of $160.00 before the inspection request is approved. If additional fees are incurred, payment is due upon receipt of invoice and no further inspections will be performed and/or a Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued until the fee is paid.

• 1.05) How long is the Plan Review Process?

  Approximately two to four weeks for commercial projects. Towers, constructions, and office trailer, signs or commercial pools are usually processed within three to five days. Residential permits are processed within three to five days. Residential master filed plans take one to two days to process.

• 1.06) How long does it take to issue a Certificate of Occupancy?

  One to two days after the power call is processed.

2.00 - Inspections Frequent Questions

• 2.01) What is the IVRS?

  The IVRS is an Interactive Voice Response System that can be accessed by dialing 407-742-0210.

  This automated telephone system allows 24-hour access to schedule inspections, cancel inspections, check inspection results, and obtain plan review status of your permit. The most recent addition to the IVRS allows you to have an electronically signed Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion faxed directly to your office through option #5.

  After you have obtained the proper permit(s) and you are ready to schedule your first inspection, you may do so by using our IVRS which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• 2.02) When do I call for an Inspection?

  You may call an inspection in for the next day as long it is scheduled through the IVRS before 3:00 p.m. If the inspection is called in after 3:00 p.m. it will automatically be added on the calendar two days out. For example, if you call an inspection after 3:00 p.m. on Monday, the inspection will not be scheduled until Wednesday. Please keep in mind that weekends and governmental holidays are not considered work days.

• 2.03) How do I schedule an inspection?

  Call 407-742-0210 and the IVRS will guide you through the steps. You will need to have your permit number and your 4-digit inspection code(s) available.

• 2.04) Do I need a touch-tone phone to use the IVRS?

  Yes, you need use a touch-tone phone to use the IVRS.

  Note: If you are using a portable or cellular phone, make sure you have a clear connection to prevent any interruptions or problems when using the IVRS.

• 2.05) How do I cancel or re-schedule an inspection?

  Call 407-742-0210 and the IVRS will prompt you through the entire process. Once you have successfully gone through the system, you will be given a confirmation number.

• 2.06) Can I leave a message for the inspector?

  Yes, you can leave messages for inspectors when you schedule your inspection through the IVRS. Please call 407-742-0210 and use that menu option.

• 2.07) Can multiple inspections be schedule at one time through the IVRS?

  Yes, you will be given a confirmation number at the end of scheduling the inspections.

• 2.08) What do I need at the time of inspections?

  You will need to have a copy of your permit card and a set of the approved plans on site when the inspector arrives to do the inspection.

3.00 - Licensing Questions

• 3.01) How do I become a licensed Contractor?

  In order to qualify to be a licensed contractor, you must show proof of experience in the particular trade you are interested in being licensed.   There are two ways to receive your license.  You may contact the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulations, 850-487-1395 or go online at www.myfloridalicense.com.  You may become locally licensed with Osceola County.  For more information, please call 407-343-2226 or visit us at our office at, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400, Kissimmee, Florida.

• 3.02) Can I be my own Contractor?

  Pursuant to Florida Statute 489.103(7) an owner/occupant of a property may be issued a permit to do contracting work on their own property.  A Statement of Fact must be signed establishing the owner builder exemption.  An owner/builder may only hire licensed subcontractors in those trades that carry a contractor’s license.

  The limitation is as follow:   1) Residential structure--Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors, when building or improving farm outbuildings on one family or two family residences for occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease 2) Commercial structure—Building or improving commercial buildings at a cost not to exceed 25,000, on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease.

   

• 3.03) Is an occupational license a state license?

  No, these are two different types of licenses. 1) An occupational license is issued from Tax Collector's office to operate a business whether the scope of the work requires a state license or not. 2) A state license is issued from the Department of Business and Professional Regulations. State licenses (registrations) are only issued to those who have taken a state exam for a particular trade that requires a state license. This basically includes, but is not limited to the following: All structural work, roofing, aluminum, electrical, plumbing or mechanical. If you have any questions as to whether the type of the work being done requires a state license or just an occupational license, please call our office and we will be happy to assist you.

4.00 - Permitting Frequent Questions

• 4.01) How do I get an extension on my permit?

  Before the permit expires, you must submit a Permit Extension Request Form (Issued Permits only) or a Permit Application Extension Request Form (Pending Permits only) to the Building Official with specific details as to why an extension is necessary. A fee is required for all permit extensions (minimum of $50.00) approved by the Building Official. Permit Extension forms can be accessed under the Documents section of our website.

• 4.02) How long will it take to get my permit?

  Residential permits are usually approved within 2-4 business days. Simple permits such as a residential fence or re-roof are issued over-the-counter on the same day. Depending on permit type, your permit may require review by departments other than Building such as Zoning, Engineering, Environmental Health, Planning, and Public Safety. Due to size and additional requirements for Commercial structures, there is a longer approval time for these permits. If any corrections are required to the plans, the approval process will be longer and additional fees may be incurred.

• 4.03) What are the fees for permits?

  Per the adopted County Fee Schedule.

• 4.04) I see land clearing going on at various locations. How can I find out what is going to be built there?

  If you have an approximate address (the block range, i.e., 1200-1300 Block XYZ Street) it is possible for the Planning Office to research projects currently under review or recently approved for that location. Contact the Planning Office by clicking here for their office and phone information. Once building construction has begun, the Building Office can provide more detailed information about residential and commercial permits, including the contractor(s) and owner of the property, size of the structure, etc. Contact Permitting by clicking here for the Building Office's phone and location information.

• 4.05) Who can apply for a permit?

  Any owner, licensed contractor or authorized agent may bring in the permit application or pick up the permit, but only the applicant (licensed contractor or owner) may sign the permit application. If the applicant (licensed contractor or owner) does not submit the permit application in person, his/her signature must be notarized on the application form. Permit applications by a licensed contractor must be signed by the license holder; no one else may accept responsibility for the work being permitted.

• 4.06) Why is a building permit required?

  A building permit protects the public by ensuring standard methods and materials are used in construction, that qualified people perform the work, and that the work is verified through inspections at various stages through completion. Permit records, including approved plans and inspections are maintained by the Building Office for the life of the building.

5.00 - Plan Review Frequent Questions

• 5.01) How long does it take to review a set of house plans?

  It normally takes 3 days to review and process a set of residential plans based on plans meeting the minimum code requirements. If drawings or documents have deficiencies or omissions it will generate review comments which will be made available to the applicant for corrections.

• 5.02) How long does it take to review a set of plans for a commercial building?

  It takes between three to four weeks to get a set of commercial plans to be reviewed. The review includes building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire. On an average basis a commercial review will generate plan review comments at this stage.

• 5.03) What building codes are enforced in Osceola County?

  The Osceola County Building Office enforces the Florida Building Code 2007 which include the following volumes: Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Gas, Residential and Existing Buildings. It also enforces the National Electrical Code 2002 and the Florida Fire Prevention Code 2004.

• 5.04) Does Osceola County enforces any local ordinance that could change the Florida Building Code 2004?

  No, Osceola County Building Office does not enforce any local ordinance that could change the Florida Building Code 2004. There are other Building Office ordinances as well as county ordinances that are enforced by other departments.

• 5.05) What is master filing?

  Master filing is a service that provides customers with an option of submitting for plan review construction plans of a typical building or structure that could be built multiple times in multiple locations. Builders and contractors may use this option before completing documents for permitting.

• 5.06) What is preliminary review?

  Preliminary review is a service that provides customers with the ability to submit a set of construction drawings without having to complete all the requirements of a building permit application, specifically is not required to have a contractor. This is a tool that owners, representatives and design professionals may utilize to save time during the process of completing documents for permitting.