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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.
The Notice to Building Official, often shortened to NTBO, is the written notice required by Florida Statutes §553.791(5). It tells the local building official that the owner has hired a private provider to perform plan review and/or the required inspections on a project.
When is the NTBO due?
The fee owner or contractor files it at the time of permit application, or by 2 p.m. local time, 2 business days before the first scheduled inspection by the local building official.
What form is used?
The notice must be on the form adopted by the Florida Building Commission. The local enforcement agency may not alter the form, and generally may not require additional forms beyond those required at private provider registration.
What does the NTBO include?
- The services the private provider will perform (plan review, inspections, or both, including single-trade inspections)
- The name, firm, address, phone number, email and license or certification number of each private provider
- If the building official requires it, a certificate of insurance showing the required professional liability coverage
- The owner’s or contractor’s signed acknowledgment that they chose a private provider, that the building official will not review the plans or perform the required inspections except as the law allows, and that they agree to hold the local government harmless for claims arising from the private provider’s services
What if something changes?
If the owner changes private providers or the services they perform, the notice must be updated within 1 business day after the change, or within 2 business days before the next scheduled inspection. Changing a duly authorized representative named in the permit application doesn’t require a permit revision, and the jurisdiction can’t charge a fee for it.
What does the NTBO actually do?
It’s the switch that moves your project into the private provider process. Once it’s filed, the private provider’s affidavit and inspection records take the place of the department’s own review and inspections, and the statutory deadlines for permits and certificates of occupancy apply.
Florida Private Providers prepares the NTBO and private provider documents for every project we take on, so the paperwork is right the first time.
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.