Title:
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Expedited Building Permits (SB 812) - Consideration of an ordinance creating a process for expediting the issuance of building permits for residential subdivisions before a final plat is recorded to obtain compliance with Senate Bill 812. Countywide. (Dale Hall, Planning Division Manager)
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Department/Division:
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Development Services - Planning and Development
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Authorized By:
Rebecca Hammock, Development Services Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Dale Hall/407-665-7375
Background:
During the 2024 legislative session, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 812, codified in Section 177.073, Florida Statutes, which requires that Counties with more than 75,000 residents to establish a process to expedite the issuance of building permits for residential subdivisions prior to the recording of a final plat.
As Seminole County exceeds the population threshold, this Ordinance creates a program to expedite the issuance of building permits in accordance with the Florida Building Code for residential subdivisions before a final plat is recorded. The Ordinance is intended to ensure that the County is following the requirements of Senate Bill 812.
The purpose of this Ordinance is to establish a process, pursuant to Section 177.073, Florida Statutes, as amended, to expedite issuance of building permits for residential subdivisions prior to final plat recording if certain requirements are met.
SB 812 allows up to 50% of lots within a new residential subdivision or planned development to be permitted prior to platting upon approval of an applicant’s written application to issue up to 50 percent of the building permits for the residential subdivision or planned community.
By December 31, 2027, the expedited process must allow the percentage of planned homes, not to exceed 75 percent of the residential subdivision or planned community to be permitted prior to platting.
The proposed ordinance amends Section 35.16, Home Construction Prior to Plat Recording, and establishes the new process. The new process requires a bond in the amount of one hundred thirty percent (130%) of the construction costs for the subdivision, a plot plan for each permitted lot, an emergency access and water supply plan, pre-addressing of all lots, and an application fee. Before approving an application for expedited building permits, the Preliminary Plan, Site Plan, and Final Engineering Plan must be approved. The applicant must also execute a hold harmless agreement in favor of the County. Ownership of lots cannot be transferred until after the plat is recorded and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy cannot be issued until the final plat is recorded.
This Ordinance also amends Section 35.44 of the Seminole County Land Development Code, Required Submittals for Final Plat, to require an As-Built Plot Plan for each lot permitted within the subdivision under the expedited process.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of this item with a minor revision at their September 4, 2024, meeting. Staff agreed with the recommendation and incorporated the change into the proposed ordinance.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve the Ordinance amending Part 2 of Chapter 35, Section 35.16, Home Construction Prior to Plat Recording, of the Seminole County Land to establish an expedited residential subdivision building permit issuance process pursuant to Section 173.073, Florida Statutes and Section 35.44 of the Land Development Code.