March 30, 2006 - Building Department Reports Expired Permits on the Rise

The St. Lucie County Building Department has reported that 6,500 permits have expired since January 1, 2004.

Expired building permits are on the rise due to contractors not calling for final inspection. Of the 6,500 expired permits, 3,000 are from roofing contractors, many from out of state, that were pulled under the Governor's executive order to assist with the recovery efforts after hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.

Dennis Grim, St. Lucie County's Code Compliance Manager and Building Official, encourages homeowners not to turn over final payment for their work until an approved final inspection has been made and confirmed.

"This will force all contractors to call in for their final inspection and will ensure that the work performed meets the building code," Mr. Grim said.

The Building Department has been sending out notices of such expired permits. Additionally, contractors who have more than 12 expired permits in the system will not be allowed to apply for new permits until the expired permits are renewed and final inspections recorded.

The department receives, on average, 30 to 50 requests each week to renew expired permits. The County's Building Department is also experiencing a high number of expired permits for Aluminum Structures, such as carports, screen rooms and pool enclosure permits. Many local contractors are over booked and therefore can not finish the work within the six month period that the building code requires to have an approved inspection.

Under the Florida Building Code, it is the responsibility of the contractor to call the Building Department to ensure all inspections are made.

For more information, contact the St. Lucie County Building Department at (772) 462-1553.