Private Provider Program

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Overview

Private Providers are licensed professionals authorized under Florida Statute §553.791 to perform building plan review and/or inspections in place of City staff. The City continues to issue permits and Certificates of Occupancy/Completion (CO/CC) and maintains oversight.

Private Providers are authorized to perform plan review and inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. Permits and approvals for outside agency disciplines - such as Engineering, Zoning, Fire, Landscape, and Utilities - are reviewed and inspected by their respective City divisions.

Key Requirement:
If a Private Provider performs plan review, the same provider must perform all inspections for that project.

How it Works

Step 1 – Register the Provider (one-time per firm/qualifier)

Submit your firm’s registration through ePlan for City review.

After submission:

You will receive a confirmation email that your application is under review
Corrections or additional information will be requested through ePlan
Once approved, your firm is authorized to use Private Provider services on permits

Note: Submit only required information. Do not include Social Security numbers or unrelated personal data.

Step 2 – Apply for a Permit (project-specific)

Submit your permit application with the following:

Notice to Building Official
Plan Compliance Affidavit (required if using private plan review)
Plan set and standard permit documents

Outside Agency Reviews: Some projects require review by Engineering, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, Zoning, or other agencies. These are coordinated through the Building Department.

Step 3 – Inspections

If private plan review is performed, private inspections are required
The Private Provider or listed DAR must perform all inspections

Reporting Requirements:

Submit inspection reports same day or next business day
Reports must clearly indicate pass/fail and include reinspection notes Submit Reports:

On-Site Requirements:

Maintain an inspection log on site, available upon request

Audits:

The City may audit inspections and request jobsite access and records
Missing reports or unresolved issues may delay permit approval or issuance.

Step 4 – Final Approval and Certificate of Occupancy/Completion

Before final approval:

All Private Provider reports must be submitted and accepted
All outside agency approvals must be complete
Any required City inspections must pass

The Building Official will review all final project records prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion. This includes required documentation such as elevation certificates, engineer certifications/reports, and any other applicable close-out documents submitted to the Building Department.

The City will issue the Certificate of Occupancy or Completion after all requirements are verified.

Requirements & Forms

Registration Phase (One-Time)
Name	Description	Last Updated
Private Provider Registration Form	Use this form to register the Private Provider firm and qualifier with the City. Approval must be received before any private provider services can begin.	8/20/2025
Active Florida licenses or certifications	Must be current and valid	---
Certificate of professional liability insurance	Required for all providers	---

Permit Submittal Phase
Name	Description	Last Updated
Notice to Building Official	State-required form (Form 61G20-2.005) used to notify the Building Official when a property owner elects private provider services for plan review and/or inspections. Must be submitted with the permit application or before the first inspection.	10/1/2025
Plan Review Compliance Affidavit (if applicable)	Certifies that privately reviewed plans meet applicable codes and specifies the disciplines and sheets reviewed.	8/20/2025
Plan set and supporting documents	Standard permit submittal documents. Plans reviewed by a Private Provider must include an approval stamp from the provider confirming the plans have been reviewed and approved for code compliance.	---

Frequently Asked Questions
What is required for each permit when using a Private Provider? For each permit: Notice to Building Official (Form 61G20-2.005) – required to notify the Building Official when private provider services are used; must be submitted with the permit application or prior to the first inspection Plan Review Compliance Affidavit (if applicable) – certifies that privately reviewed plans meet applicable codes and identifies reviewed disciplines and sheets Plan set and supporting documents – standard permit submittal documents. Plans reviewed by a Private Provider must include an approval stamp from the provider confirming the plans have been reviewed and approved for code compliance
Can I use a Private Provider for plan review but have the City perform inspections? No. If you elect private plan review, the same approved Private Provider must perform all inspections for that permit.
When do I need to designate a Private Provider? A Private Provider must be identified at the time of permit application by submitting the Notice to Building Official. Changes after permit issuance may not be allowed without approval.
Can I switch between City inspections and a Private Provider? No. Once a Private Provider is selected for plan review or inspections, that provider must perform all required inspections for that permit.
What happens if inspection reports are not submitted on time? Inspection reports must be submitted the same day or next business day. Missing reports may result in permit holds, failed inspections, or delays in approval.
What is required for final approval (Certificate of Occupancy / Completion)? All Private Provider inspection reports must be submitted and accepted, all outside agency approvals must be complete, and any required City inspections must pass. Final documentation - such as elevation certificates, engineer certifications, and other close-out documents - must be submitted for review by the Building Official.
Do Private Provider inspections replace all City inspections? No. Private Provider inspections replace City inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. The City may still perform verification visits, final inspections, or audits as part of its oversight responsibilities. City inspectors may visit an active job site on behalf of the Building Official to verify that the Private Provider is performing required inspections in accordance with the program. These visits are for oversight and do not replace the Private Provider’s inspections. If a condition is identified that poses an immediate threat to public safety, the Building Official has the authority to take action, including issuing a stop-work order and requiring corrective measures.
Does a Private Provider replace City or outside agency reviews? No. Permits are still submitted to and processed by the City. Required outside-agency reviews (Engineering, Floodplain, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, and Zoning) are coordinated through the Building Department and occur as part of the permit submittal process. Any required Broward County or State approvals must be included before permit issuance. The Private Provider’s role is limited to building code plan review and inspections and remains subject to City oversight and audit.
Are outside agency reviews still required? Yes. Some projects require approval from outside agencies such as Engineering, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, and Zoning. Submit all required documents with your permit package Include any required County or State approvals Note: Permits cannot be issued until all required approvals are received.
What disciplines can a Private Provider perform? Private Providers may perform plan review and inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. Outside agency disciplines remain under City review.
Do I still need to submit plans to the City? Yes. All permit applications and plans must still be submitted through the City’s permitting system. The City maintains oversight and coordination of the review process.
Who qualifies as a Private Provider? Florida-licensed architects or engineers BCAIB-certified plans examiners or inspectors Approved Duly Authorized Representatives (DARs) Requirements: Must work within their licensed discipline Must maintain an active license Must carry professional liability insurance Cannot inspect work they or their firm designed or built
What is required to register as a Private Provider? Before performing any private plan review or inspections, the firm and qualifier must be approved by the City. To register, submit: Private Provider Registration Form (approval required prior to performing services) Active Florida license(s) or BCAIB certification(s) List of Duly Authorized Representatives (DARs) and their disciplines Certificate of professional liability insurance After approval: The same approved provider must perform inspections if they conducted the plan review Updates required: Any changes to licensing, insurance, DARs, or firm information must be updated with the City
Can a Private Provider review or inspect work they designed? No. Private Providers may not inspect or review any work they or their firm designed or constructed.
Does the City audit Private Provider work? Yes. The City may audit any private plan review or inspection, either routinely or for cause, to ensure compliance with Florida Statute §553.791 and City procedures. For full details, refer to the City’s Private Provider Audit SOP.