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Private Provider

Private Provider Program

Private Provider Program Changes

Effective March 15th, 2021

 
 

As of February 1, 2020, fees for qualified Private Provider projects will reflect a 30% reduction from the cost of a standard building permit fee. The reduced fee for plan review will be processed at the time the application has been accepted. The reduced fee for inspections will be processed prior to the issuance of the permit.

 

Applicants that engaged Private Providers for projects accepted after July 1, 2019 may apply for a reimbursement in an amount equivalent to 30% of the amount charged for any activity that was effectively performed by a private provider. Please use this refund request form Private Provider Application for Refund.

 

A request for refund must be received by June 30, 2020.

Private Provider Program

The following are details for how to register as a Private Provider. All Private Provider organizations must be registered with the City of Tampa and must keep their information continuously maintained.

Private Provider Registration Checklist

To register as a Private Provider, please complete and submit the following documentation. You can email a submission package to CSDHelp@TampaGov.net or in person at the Development Services Center 1400 N. Boulevard.

 

  1. Private Provider Registration Form
  2. Duly Authorized Representative (DAR) Employment Affidavit
  3. Copy of the Professional Licenses for each of the DAR personnel regulated by Florida Statutes chapter 481 (Architects), chapter 471 (Engineers), and chapter 486, Part XII (Building Code Administrators and Inspectors). A screen print from the DBPR website is acceptable.
  4. Copy of Occupational License.
  5. Certificates of Insurance for Workers’ Compensation and General Liability as required by FS 440.02(8) and FS 553.791(16), respectively.

Florida law provides a method for property owners to obtain plan review and inspection code compliance services through a process that is an alternative to direct municipal services. Referred to as the 'Private Provider' program, it is governed by Florida Statute Sec. 553.791  and is intended to offer an option to complement the traditional review and inspection services provided by municipalities, while ensuring the integrity of a project by licensed code professionals. The law sets forth the essential processes and respective responsibilities of the property owner, the Private Provider, and the City.

The City of Tampa recognizes the use of the Private Provider program. Information for the effective use of the program is included here. If you have additional questions, please contact the City at 813-274-3100, Option 1 or e-mail anytime at CSDhelp@tampagov.net.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:


What kind of projects are eligible to use the Private Provider program?

Owners of a property may opt to use the program for any new construction, addition, or alteration, including projects for Assembly Occupancies, Threshold Buildings, and - with limitations – projects in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

Please see section labeled “Projects in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA)” for more details on limitations and guidelines.

What code compliance can be reviewed by Private Providers?

The Private Provider program only applies to review or inspection for code compliance with the Florida Building Code. It may not be used to review or approve compliance with other codes such as zoning, stormwater, fire, transportation or any local municipal codes. Even for projects that use the program, the City of Tampa will conduct review for compliance with these codes.

How does the program work?

A property owner must engage the services of one or more private, qualified professionals to serve as 'Private Providers' for their project. To use the service for plan review, the owner must notify the City at the time it files its application for a permit. Failing to notify at the time of filing will disqualify the owner from using the program for plan review. To use the service for inspections, the owner must notify the City prior to the first scheduled inspection. An owner may opt to use the program for either plan review or inspections, or both.

Can the enhanced Private Provider program be applied to a project that was initiated before February 1, 2020?

You may request to apply the enhanced Private Provider program to an 'in progress' job ONLY if the City has not commenced any plan review and/or inspection activity on the project.

Does my Private Provider need to be registered with the city?

A Private Provider is required to register with the City of Tampa. Registration requires maintenance of certain licenses and other standards intended to ensure that Private Providers are qualified to perform plan review and inspection activities on behalf of the City.

Does it cost extra to use a Private Provider?

Private Providers are regulated by the City, but the fees they charge for their services are solely at their discretion. Property owners who opt to use a Private Provider must pay for their services independently.

Will using a Private Provider make the plan exam process faster?

A Private Provider may only review a project for compliance with the Florida Building Code. The City will review each project for compliance with other applicable codes such as zoning, storm water, fire, transportation or any local municipal codes. Depending on the complexity of a project, the use of a Private Provider may not necessarily make the process faster.

Will using a Private Provider make the inspection process faster?

A Private Provider must submit their inspection results to the City to be accepted. The City will process these submissions within 24 hours of the inspection report being uploaded to the City's Accela system.

Where do I go for questions? Helpline?

For additional assistance, please call us during business hours at 813-274-3100, Option 1 or e-mail anytime at CSDhelp@tampagov.net

As a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the City of Tampa has been instructed by the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management to conduct plan reviews and inspections for projects that are in a FEMA SFHA.

What does this mean?
This means that, on projects in a SFHA, the City of Tampa will take the lead on plan review and inspections.

Does this mean I can’t hire a Private Provider?
No, you can always hire a Private Provider firm. The difference is that for projects in a SFHA, the City will be conducting some or all the plan review and/or inspection work.

On which project will the City take the lead?
Residential New Construction Projects

  • City of Tampa reviews all items up to the required DFE or finish floor
  • City of Tampa will inspect up to the required DFE and until such time approval for the required Under-Construction Elevation Certificate is obtained

Residential Alteration and Addition Projects

  • City of Tampa reviews and inspects due to the complexity, scope and materials of FEMA Substantial Improvement Determinations

New Commercial Projects

  • City of Tampa reviews all items up to the required DFE or finish floor
  • City of Tampa will inspect up to the required DFE and until such time approval for the required Under-Construction Elevation Certificate is obtained

Commercial Alterations and Addition Projects

  • City of Tampa will review for Substantial Improvement Determination and flood resistant materials. If it is determined that project is, in fact, a Substantial Improvement, then the City of Tampa will perform review on all items up to the required DFE.
  • Inspections will be performed by the City of Tampa up to the required DFE and until such time approval for the required Under-Construction Elevation Certificate is obtained (regardless of SI determination).

New Multi-Family Projects

  • City of Tampa reviews all items up to the required DFE or finish floor.
  • City of Tampa will inspect up to the required DFE and until such time approval for the required Under-Construction Elevation Certificate is obtained.

Who will conduct the final inspection on my project?

  • The City of Tampa will perform a final inspection on all projects located in a FEMA SFHA.

Following are the steps required to initiate use of a Private Provider for a building project. The Private Provider must be registered with the City in advance.

A list of the Submittal documents follows. A Project Submittal Package is here: Project Submittal Package

The documents must be uploaded into the Accela building system.

Need help uploading documents? Read the guidance information.

Documents required with building permit application for private provider plan review

  1. Notice to Building Official - Signed and notarize.
  2. Duly Authorized Representative (DAR) Personnel Identification - Please complete one form for each DAR.
  3. Plan Compliance Affidavit (required only if Private Provider is handling plan review). This form is required for each submittal and if applicable, each re-submittal (response to corrective comments), and revisions (changes to scope of work).
  4. Contact Reference Form.


Documents and steps required for private provider inspections

  1. Scheduling Inspections - The Private Provider must notice the inspection in the Accela system no later than 2:00 PM on the day prior to the private provider inspection.
  2. Filing Inspection Results - Inspection Reports - Refer to Inspection Report Checklist for specific information.

Documents and steps required for a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion (applicable only if Private Provider performed inspections)

  1. Certificate of Compliance - Must be signed, sealed, and notarized.
  2. Submit summary document of all completed inspections performed by each DAR, organized by discipline (building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc.) and contain all inspection reports and results (approved, partially approved, or disapproved).
  3. Upload a comprehensive Final Inspection Report directly into the Accela permit record.

Following are the steps required to initiate the use of a Private Provider for a SINGLE TRADE (BTR) PERMIT. 

IMPORTANT NOTE
The Private Provider must be registered and current with the City to conduct trade permit inspections.

 

A checklist of the required documentation is here: Provider Trade (BTR) Permit Documentation Checklist.

The documents must be uploaded into the Accela permitting system.
Need help uploading documents? Please see our How-To Guide.

Documents required with Private Provider trade (BTR) permits:

  1. Private Provider Trade (BTR) Permit-Notice to Building Official  – Signed and notarized.
  2. Private Provider Trade (BTR) Permit-Certificate of Compliance – Signed and notarized.

Instructions

  1. Combine all required documentation into a single PDF file.
  2. Upload into Accela using document type “Private Provider Trade Permit Documentation.”
  3. Schedule Final Inspection in Accela System.
    1. Add “Private Provider Inspection” in request comment field.

Instructions: All checklists must be submitted with documents.

  1. Inspections Report Checklist
  2. Project Submittal Checklist
  3. Registration
  4. Scheduling Inspections Checklist
  5. Change of Private Provider Firm or Services Checklist

Standard Reduction

Fees for qualified projects will reflect a 30% reduction from the cost of a standard building permit fee. The standard deduction applies to projects that are outside of a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

Reduction for Projects in FEMA SFHA

Fees for qualified projects that are in a FEMA SFHA will reflect a 15% reduction from the cost of a standard building permit.

Reductions for plan review fees will be processed once the application has been accepted. Reductions for inspection fees will be processed prior to issuance of the permit.