Tampa Seeks to Amend Building Code to Allow Temporary Relief
Tampa, FL April 15, 2009
Due to the state of the economy and the impact it is having on the ability of builders to complete construction projects, Mayor Pam Iorio will put forth an amendment to the City Building Code in order to allow temporary relief. The amendment will authorize an extension to the term of construction plan approval from six months to one year and will allow an additional six-month construction permit extension beyond the current term.
For construction projects that have received plan approval but have not been issued permits, this proposal would extend the term of any plan approval to one year as well as allow an extension period up to one year, for a total of two years, before a permit must be obtained. For construction projects where permits have been issued, this proposal would enable the permit holder to request one additional six-month extension on top of the current six-month extension already allowed by the Code. In order to receive the additional extension, the owner/builder must request the extension in writing, demonstrate cause, and the construction site must be maintained in an appropriate manner as required by Code.
This change to the Code will provide relief to the contractors and owners of property. It allows an opportunity for them to gather their resources in order to complete projects, even if on a longer time line. Additionally, it protects neighboring property owners by assuring that construction sites are kept in good, safe condition.
For additional information, contact Construction Service Division Manager John Barrios, Growth Management & Development Services, at (813) 274-3100.
Tampa Permit Fees to Increase January 1, 2009
Tampa, Florida, 10.16.2008
Construction Services has completed a comprehensive Cost of Services study to determine our cost of issuing permits and conducting inspections. As a result of this study, a resolution was passed by City Council on October 16, 2008 to increase our permit fees to cover these costs. The fee increase will be implemented over a two (2) year period. Phase 1 is scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2009 and Phase 2 is scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2010.
New Fee Schedule Effective 1/1/2009
Replace your old roof or else...
Tampa, Florida, 08.07.2008
If you have wind only homeowner's insurance through Citizens Property Insurance and you have a asphalt shingle roof that's more than 25 years old or any roof that's more than 50 years old, you could lose your coverage if you don't replace your roof within six month.
Nearly 15,000 homeowners in Pinellas County and 6,600 in Pasco County have wind only Citicen policies.
The new rules have no effect on Citizen's 800,000 multi-perils policies or its condo policies.
Contact Advantage Construction & Consulting for a consultation to estimate the cost.
"It's Not Dead Yet!" The MySafeFlorida Program
If you were hoping to get a FREE Home Wind Inspection--IT's NOT TOO LATE--they were ending June 30, 2008, but apparently there's enough budgeted to take more applications, about 10,000 of them, in fact.
If you had hoped to get around to upgrading your hurricane-prepardeness status on your Homesteaded property, and thought you might apply for a grant, but haven't quite done the paperwork yet--TOO LATE. No more applications are being accepted for the matching-grant program, although Florida's CFO would like to see a continuation of the program.
If, however, you've already applied for your grant money, existing applicants will continue to receive distributions through May of next year.