If your home was affected by severe weather during Hurricanes Helene and Milton and you live within the city limits of Tampa, the City of Tampa's online tool for virtual appointments can help.
"Q-Up Tampa" offers virtual appointments for permits and plan review consultations. Residents can meet with the Construction Services staff from anywhere, all you need is a computer or a smartphone.
"This allows our residents to show us virtually -- over Facetime or another type of video call -- what was damaged in their home, so that our Construction Services team can provide advice on what needs a permit and what can be done," said JC Hudgison, the City of Tampa's Chief Building Official.
In performing repairs during this time, the following actions do not require a building permit:
- Any drywall repair 2 feet or less from the finished floor.
- New roof covering, or the recovering, re-roofing or repairing of an existing roof covering, either of which is five hundred (500) square feet or less.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Fence Repair & Replacement.
- Repair of soffits & facia.
- Replacement of front and rear exterior doors (keeping existing framing).
To lessen the burden of repairs, the City is waiving fees on storm-related damage permit applications. There will be no permit fees for applications related to damage from Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton -- this applies to specific types of permits listed below:
Trade Permits
- Roof Repair/Roof Replacement over 500 SF
- All electrical-related activities related to storm damage
- Garage Door replacement
- HVAC mechanical change-out
- Hot water heater change-out
- Replacement of multiple exterior doors
Building Permits
- Alteration Permits to include wall repair/wall replacement.
- Demolition Permits related to storm damage.
In the wake of the storm and in compliance with state statutes the city is also offering expedited permit review for the above types of permits and inspections.