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Development Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
What are the applicable
codes?
A.
Plans submitted for
permitting will be reviewed using
these codes.
The City
of Orlando Code is
available online by clicking here.
Q.
How long will it take to
review my plans?
A. Our goal is to complete a review
cycle within ten (10) working days
for most commercial and multi-family
residential projects, but the actual
time will vary dependent on
development activity. Our goal for
detached one- and two-family
residential structures is within
five (5) working days.
Q.
When can I submit revisions?
A. Revisions can be submitted
after all disciplines have completed
their review from the last
cycle.
Q.
Who can I call if I have a
discipline-specific question?
A.
Contact the plans examiner in the
discipline related to your question.
Our Staff
Directory contains the
phone numbers and email addresses
for the Division.
Q.
What is the status of my plan
review?
A.
You can obtain your plan
review status by calling “PROMPT”,
our Interactive Voice Response
system at 407.246.4444 or by using
our online
services. For more
information on PROMPT,
click here.
Q.
When I call PROMPT to get the
status of my plan review, I don’t
have enough time
to enter my fax number. What am I
doing wrong?
A.
Enter the number without
pausing as soon as you are prompted.
It is not necessary to press the #
key after entering your fax number.
Another tip is to use a land-based
telephone line. For more information
on PROMPT,
click here.
Q.
How many sets of plans do I
need to submit for permit
application?
A.
Four (4) sets of plans are
needed for commercial plan review
including multi-family
(three or more attached dwellings)
residential construction. Three (3) sets of plans are needed for application for a Fire Permit.
Four (4) sets*
of plans are needed for one- and
two-family residential plan review.
* Note: One of the four sets of plans is needed for
recording by the Orange County
Property Appraiser for new one- and
two-family homes.
Q.
When do plans for Building
Permits need to be signed and sealed
by a Florida registered architect or
engineer?
A.
Generally, for commercial and
multi-family construction, all plans
must be signed and sealed. For
detached one- and two-family
residential construction,
owner-occupied structures will need
a licensed design professional or
contractor to submit plans for wind
load calculations.
Q.
How do I change the engineer or
architect of record?
A. Changing
an engineer or architect of record
may be necessary during the
development process. This process is
dictated by the state laws and rules
governing the design professionals.
Please reference the appropriate
Florida Statutes and Rules
pertaining to adoption of another
design professional’s work.
Q.
Do I need a site plan or
survey for residential or commercial
plan review?
A.
A dimensioned site plan is
generally required for residential
and commercial plan review. A survey
can be used in place of a site plan.
However, commercial and multifamily
residential plan reviews require the
site plan (or survey) to be signed
and sealed by a licensed
professional.
Q.
Do interior alterations
require a site plan?
A.
No, typically a site plan is
not required for an interior
alteration, but a key indicator map
and legal description may be
necessary to identify the area of
work.
Q.
How much will my permit cost?
A.
Fees schedules for
commercial
and residential
development are available by
clicking here.
Development fees are due at the time
of permit issuance. If your permit
is ready for issuance, you can also
check the fees due by using our online
services or PROMPT.
Q.
Is there a plan submittal fee
or plan review fee for residential
or commercial plan review?
A.
No, there are no additional
fees for submittal or plan review.
However, there is a plan revision
review fee for the third and
subsequent plan submittals.
Q.
Does residential construction
need to meet the zoning setback
requirements for the outside air
conditioning (A/C) unit?
A.
Yes, all new and existing A/C
units will need to meet the zoning
setback requirements.
Q.
Does the mechanical equipment
for commercial construction need to
meet the wind load requirements?
A.
Yes, mechanical equipment
must comply with Section 301.13 wind
load requirements of the 2001
Florida Mechanical Code.
Q. How
do I make application for a
foundation-only building permit?
A. Applications for foundation-only
building permits are prohibited
unless approved for submittal by the
Building Official. Upon permission
to submit for a foundation-only
permit, a special checklist will be
provided.
Q. Do I
need to include a fire sprinkler
and/or fire alarm plan with my
building permit application?
A. Yes.
Fire sprinkler and fire alarm
documents are required with the
building permit application per
Florida Building Code, §106.3.5. If
the scope of work for the fire
sprinkler system is less than 50
heads, a licensed fire contractor
may design the system, but the
design must be included with the
building permit application.
Similarly, if the cost of
improvements for the fire alarm
system is $5000 or less, a licensed
electrical or fire alarm contractor
may design the system.
Q.
Do I have to submit plans for
all commercial A/C installation?
A.
A repair/replace with identical
equipment is exempt from plans
submittal and requires a permit
application
only. All other commercial
installations require four (4) sets
of plans.
Q.
Is a permit required when
replacing an existing sewer line?
A.
Yes, a plumbing/sewer
connection permit is required. Click
here
for an application.
Q.
Do I need a permit for
installation of a lawn irrigation
system?
A.
Yes, a plumbing/irrigation
permit is required. Click here
for an application.
Q. What type of backflow preventer is required for lawn irrigation systems?
A. The following backflow preventers are approved:
Atmospheric type vacuum breaker (must be installed 6 inches above highest
head with no valves located downstream).
Pressure type vacuum breaker (must be installed 6 inches above highest head
and valves are permitted downstream).
Reduce pressure principle backflow preventer (must be located 12 inches
above grade).
Q.
Do I need a permit to replace
my water heater?
A.
Yes, a plumbing permit is
required for water heater
replacement.
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