On this page
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.
Yes. When you use a private provider, Florida Statutes §553.791(2) requires the local jurisdiction to reduce your permit fee.
The general rule (all projects)
- The jurisdiction must reduce the permit fee by the cost savings it realizes from not performing the plan review or inspections. It may calculate this as a flat fee, a percentage, or another reasonable method.
- The jurisdiction may not charge fees for plan review or building inspections that your private provider performs.
- It may not charge punitive administrative fees because you chose a private provider.
- It may not charge reinspection or re-audit fees for administrative matters that don’t involve a code or permit violation.
Minimum reductions for commercial projects
- Private provider for plan review or inspections: at least a 25% reduction of the portion of the permit fee attributable to those services.
- Private provider for all required plan review and inspections: at least a 50% reduction of the amount otherwise charged for those services.
- If the jurisdiction doesn’t reduce the fee by at least these percentages, it forfeits the ability to collect any fees for that commercial project.
- The state surcharge under §553.721 is calculated on the reduced fee.
What isn’t reduced?
The reduction applies to the plan review and inspection services the private provider takes over. Fees for things the jurisdiction still handles, such as zoning, floodplain, site review or fire review, may still apply. Ask your building department for the fee breakdown, and we’ll help you check it against the statute.
Does the reduction cover the private provider’s fee?
That depends on your project and jurisdiction. Many owners find the real savings is time: fewer days of carrying costs, earlier openings, and crews that aren’t waiting on inspections. Request a quote and we’ll walk through the numbers for your project.
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.