Sarasota County, FL
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Sarasota County understands the challenging and unfortunate circumstances that our community is facing as we recover from the impacts of Helene and Debby. Our staff stands ready to assist property owners with the recovery process to rebuild or repair their private structures. Therefore the information on this page is intended to assist private property owners as they rebuild or repair private residences or buisnesses.
Permit Fee Suspension
Reduced Permit Fees
Temporarily reduced fees for the following work to repair documented damage from Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton:
Hurricane Milton
- Re-roofing or Recovering (Permit Type - RES-ROOF or COM-ROOF)
- Doors (size for size replacement) (Permit Type - RES-ALT or COM-ALT)
- Windows (size for size replacement) (Permit Type - RES-ALT or COM-ALT)
- Interior repair from water intrusion (Permit Type - RES-ALT or COM-ALT)
- Minor electrical repair (Permit Type - RES-ELC or COM-ELC)
- Electrical service change (Permit Type - RES-ELC or COM-ALT)
- Miscellaneous/repair (Permit Type - RES-ALT)
- Tents (Permit Type - TUP)
- Temporary Use Permits (Permit Type - TUP)
- Pool Cage repair (Permit Type - RES-ALT)
- AC Change Out (Permit Type- RES-MEC or COM-MEC)
- Mobile Home Demo (Permit Type - RES-DEMO)
- Residential Demo (Permit Type - RES-DEMO or COM-DEMO)
- Replacement New Mobile Home (Permit Type - RES-NEW)
- Replacement Ductwork (Permit Type - RES-MEC)
Section 54-723- Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL) and Pass Hazard Line (PHL) Requirements.
(h) Written conditioned exceptions to the prohibition on Construction and Excavation located Seaward of the GBSL or Waterward of the PHL.
(3) Placement of fill
(4) Repair of existing septic system
(6) Wooden and metal fences, post-and-rope style barriers, entry gates
(8) Dune walkover structures and decks
(12) Public lifeguard towers
(I3) Removal of dead native trees that pose a risk to public health, safety, and general welfare
(15) Beach nourishment projects and associated maintenance activities
Section 54-724 - Variances.
(f) Class I Emergency Variances (i.e. sandbags, temporary installation of foundation underpinnings, repair or replacement of roadways, debris removal)
This direction does not suspend, waive, or modify any other fees contained in Resolution No. 2021-107 or any other Board approved Resolutions. This direction does not suspend, waive, or modify any regulations relating to Building Permit fees, or County Code of Ordinances.
Hurricane Milton - This temporary suspension of fees shall apply nunc pro tunc to permit applications submitted on or after October 14, 2024 through May 22, 2025. Accordingly, any administrative action related to the suspension of permit fees as set forth herein that occurred prior to the adoption of this Resolution is hereby ratified.
Hurricane Helene
- Re-roofing or Recovering (Permit Type – RES-ROOF or COM-ROOF)
- Doors (size for size replacement) (Permit Type – RES-ALT or COM-ALT)
- Windows (size for size replacement (Permit Type – RES-ALT or COM-ALT)
- Interior repair from water intrusion (Permit Type – RES-ALT or COM-ALT)
- Minor electrical repair (Permit Type – RES-ELC or COM-ELC)
- Electrical service change (Permit Type – RES-ELC or COM-ALT)
- Miscellaneous/repair (Permit Type – RES-ALT)
- Tents (Permit Type – TUP)
- Temporary Use Permits (Permit Type – TUP)
- Pool Cage repair (Permit Type – RES-ALT)
- AC Change Out (Permit Type – RES-MEC or COM-MEC)
- Mobile Home Demo (Permit Type – RES-DEMO)
- Residential Demo (Permit Type – RES-DEMO or COM-DEMO)
- Replacement New Mobile Home (Permit Type – RES-NEW)
- Replacement Ductwork (Permit Type – RES-MEC)
Section 54-723 – Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL) and Pass Hazard Line (PHL) Requirements.
(h) Written conditioned exceptions to the prohibition on Construction and Excavation located Seaward of the GBSL or Waterward of the PHL.
(3) Placement of fill
(4) Repair of existing septic system
(6) Wooden and metal fences, post-and-rope style barriers, entry gates
(8) Dune walkover structures and decks
(12) Public lifeguard towers
(13) Removal of dead native trees that pose a risk to public health, safety, and general welfare
(15) Beach nourishment projects and associated maintenance activities
q. Section 54-724 – Variances.
(f) Class I Emergency Variances (i.e. sandbags, temporary installation of foundation underpinnings, repair or replacement of roadways, debris removal)
This Resolution does not suspend, waive, or modify any other fees contained in Resolution No. 2021-107 or any other Board approved Resolutions. This Resolution does not suspend, waive, or modify any regulations relating to Building Permits or the County Code of Ordinances.
Hurricane Helene - This temporary suspension of fees shall apply nunc pro tunc to permit applications submitted on or after September 27, 2024 through April 8, 2025. Accordingly, any administrative action related to the suspension of permit fees as set forth herein that occurred prior to the adoption of this Resolution is hereby ratified.
Hurricane Debby
- Re-roofing or Recovering (Permit Type - RES-ROOF)
- Doors (size for size replacement) (Permit Type - RES-ALT)
- Windows (size for size replacement) (Permit Type - RES-ALT)
- Interior repair from water intrusion (Permit Type - RES-ALT)
- Minor electrical repair (Permit Type - RES-ELC)
- Electrical service change (Permit Type - RES-ELC)
- Miscellaneous/repair (Permit Type RES-ALT)
- Tents (Permit - Type TUP)
- Temporary Use Permits (Permit Type - TUP)
- Pool Cage repair (Permit Type - RES-ALT)
- AC Change Out (Permit Type - RES-MEC)
- Mobile Home Demo (Permit Type - RES-DEMO)
- Residential Demo (Permit Type - RES-DEMO)
- Replacement New Mobile Home (Permit Type - RES-NEW)
- Replacement Ductwork (Permit Type -RES-MEC)
This direction does not suspend, waive, or modify any other fees contained in Resolution No. 2021-107 or any other Board approved Resolutions. This direction does not suspend, waive, or modify any regulations relating to Building Permit fees, or County Code of Ordinances.
Hurricane Debby - This temporary suspension of fees shall apply nunc pro tunc to permit applications submitted on or after August 10, 2023 through February 5, 2025. Accordingly, any administrative action related to the suspension of permit fees as set forth herein that occurred prior to the adoption of this Resolution is hereby ratified.
Expedited Permitting
Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene Expedited Permits
Permits related to storm damage resulting from Hurricane Debby or Hurricane Helene will be expedited.
Helpful tip: When applying for a permit in Accela, select "Storm Related" project type. For more information, please call 941-861-5000 or email building@scgov.net.
When is a Permit Required?
For help determining when a permit is required, please refer to Building Permit Guidelines handout.
Damage Assessment
Sarasota County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As part of our participation in this program, FEMA requires that damage assessments be conducted for structures that have been impacted by a hurricane event. At this time, the County has substantially completed the preliminary windshield damage assessments for both residential and commercial structures for both Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene.
Per FEMA requirement, the next step is to conduct additional inspections of impacted structures to make determinations of whether a structure has received SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. County staff or approved vendors will be conducting inspections to make these determinations. Please allow these County staff, or staff from other agencies such as State FDEM, FEMA, or private contractors working on our behalf, to access and inspect your damaged building. These authroized staff carry a "right of entry" document and their agency identification and must show them to you before you let them access your property. All property owners that will have an inspection done, will receieve a formal inspection notice. Properties impacted by Hurricane Helene. Inspections for Hurricane Debby have been completed.
Substantial Damage
Substantial Damage is defined as comparing the estimated cost of repair of the building, to its pre-damaged conditions to the estimated market value, otherwise known as the 50% rule. If the 50% rule is met (under 50%), the structure can be repaired without additional flood proofing requirements during the permitting stage. If the 50% rule is not met (over 50%), the structure is required to adhere to additional flood proofing requirements during the permitting stage.
For those structures that have been Substantially Damaged, please see the packet below which will be required to be submitted during the permitting process of your repair or rebuilding project.
Packet: FEMA 50% Rule Substantial Improvement Forms
Unlicensed Contracting
We've heard reports of scammers in our community trying to take advantage of those impacted by the storm. Call 866-966-7226 to report scams. Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job. Research a company and its reputation - look for references online or ask a friend. Check to see if a company is properly licensed, insured and if there are any consumer complaints filed against a licensed contractor at MyFloridaLicense.com. Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront and hesitate before providing large deposits. Do not sign a certificate of completion or make final payment until satisfied with the work performed.
Contact Us
Please call 311 for any questions or concerns.
| Division/TEAM | Address & Hours | Phone/Email |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Sarasota Operations Center 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.* *Closed at 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays R.L. Anderson Administration Center 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.* *Closed at 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays |
Phone: 941-861-5000 Fax: 941-861-6471 Email: building@scgov.net Phone: 941-861-5000 Fax: 941-861-3282 Email: building@scgov.net |
| Permitting | Email: stormpermitting@scgov.net | |
| Flood Plans Review | Email: floodplansreview@scgov.net | |
| Unlicensed Contractors | Email: ula@scgov.net |
Disclaimer: Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, please call the Contact Center at 941‑861‑5000 or office locations.