How Private Provider Inspections Work, Step by Step

This article summarizes Florida Statutes §553.791 as amended through 2026 (Chapter 2026-63, effective July 1, 2026). It is general information, not legal advice. Every project is different. Talk to our team about yours.

Here’s how a typical Florida project moves from first plans to final compliance with a private provider under §553.791.

1. Engage the private provider

The fee owner, or the contractor with the owner’s explicit written authorization, contracts with the private provider. A copy of the owner’s written authorization goes to the building official. The jurisdiction can’t require the contract itself.

2. Registration and Notice to Building Official

The private provider must be registered with the local jurisdiction, with insurance on file. The owner or contractor files the Notice to Building Official on the Florida Building Commission form at permit application, or by 2 p.m. 2 business days before the first scheduled inspection.

3. Plan review

Send us your plans, project location, scope and municipality. Our licensed team reviews them for Florida Building Code compliance, with 3-day plan review, and issues comments if anything needs to change. Once the plans comply, we sign the plan review affidavit.

4. Permit application and approval

The permit application goes to the building department with the plans and affidavit. The building official reviews forms for completeness and has 10 business days (5 for single-trade reviews on one- and two-family homes) to give written notice of anything incomplete. Otherwise the permit is deemed approved and issued the next business day. With a sealed engineer or architect affidavit, specific code deficiencies must also be identified within 10 business days.

5. Inspections during construction

• We inspect each required phase (foundation, framing, MEP rough-ins, insulation and final, among others), in person or virtually.
• Inspections can happen after hours, on weekends and on holidays.
• If something fails, a deficiency notice is posted and the item is re-inspected before it’s covered.
• Inspection records are posted and provided to the building official within 4 business days.

6. Certificate of compliance

When all inspections pass, our firm issues a sworn certificate of compliance on the Florida Building Commission form.

7. Certificate of occupancy or completion

The building official has 10 business days (2 for one- and two-family homes) to issue the certificate or flag incomplete documents. If they miss the deadline, the request is automatically granted.

Can I switch to a private provider after construction starts?

The statute lets the owner choose a private provider “at any time.” To switch mid-project, the owner or contractor files the notice before the next scheduled inspection and updates it within the statutory windows. Inspections the department already performed stay on the record, and the private provider takes over the remaining inspections. Call us before your next scheduled inspection and we’ll coordinate the handoff.

Talk to a licensed private provider

Florida Private Providers offers 3-day plan review, same-day inspections where available, and service in all 67 Florida counties. Start your project or call (941) 210-1420.