Building Development Department

Building Development Department

The Building Development Department oversees permitting, inspections, local business taxes, arborist and flood plain management.

Contact Information:
Permitting and Local Business Tax: (727) 942-5617
Inspectors: (727) 942-5608
Schedule an Inspection by telephone: (727) 938-6500
Schedule an Inspection by text: (844) 624-1142
Click Here to Schedule an Inspection online
Office Hours: M-F 8:00-4:30 for Permitting
Closed all federal holidays and Epiphany (open Columbus day)
Email:  dsinfo@ctsfl.us

For Building Development Forms, FEMA Information bulletins, memos and policies, please visit our DOCUMENT LIBRARY.

Current Opening for Building Development Director

Annual Salary Range:  $78,735 – $126,846 D.O.Q.

Under general direction of the City Manager provides building development service to the City of Tarpon Springs, through the supervision and direction of subordinate personnel and development and implementation of policies and procedures compliant with State and local codes and ordinances. Work is carried out with wide latitude for independent judgment and initiative. Acts as the City’s building official and, as the City authority on condemning building and finding buildings to be uninhabitable. Makes final code interpretations, building code enforcement interpretations and plan review/inspection determinations. Issues building and construction permits to general public, contractors and subcontractors for work performed in the City; issues certificates of occupancy for new buildings. Prepares and presents agenda items and supporting documentation to the Board of Commissioners, as directed by the City Manager. Recommends changes to City ordinances; interacts with other departments on construction, development and licensing matters. Responds to emergency requests from the City Manager and Board of Commissioners. Directs and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget including expenditure approval for staffing, equipment and materials. Attends and participates in a variety of boards and committees and professional organizations. Handles legal and contractual matters relating to department operations. Oversees the Local Business Tax Receipts Program.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in construction, construction engineering, design, public administration or other related field and 10 years of commercial/residential building construction experience with at least 5 years’ experience at a lead or supervisory level are preferred. A combination of training and/or experience may be substituted at the City’s discretion for required education, experience and/or management experience.

Must possess a State of Florida Certified Building Code Administrator, Standard Inspector, and Standard Plans Examiner License. Must become a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) within 1 year of appointment date. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

CLOSING DATE:  OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Go to our Human Resources Page for application form and benefits information.

https://jobs.boaf.net/jobs/view/building-development-director/68587339/

SCHEDULE YOUR BUILDING INSPECTION VIA TEXT MESSAGE!

There is now an option to text inspection requests, reschedules, results and cancellations. Below are the steps for texting inspection requests:

  1. Text (844) 624-1142
  2. Type “MAIN” – this will bring up options to choose from
  3. Type either SCHEDULE, RESCHEDULE, CANCEL, RESULTS or HELP
  4. Enter permit number
  5. Follow the directions for each

Building Development Department Staff
Building Development Director:
Kevin Powell, CBO, CFM, (727) 942-5604 or email: kpowell@ctsfl.us

Deputy Building Official:
Keith Meade, CFM  (727) 942-5604 or email: kmeade@ctsfl.us

Floodplain Coordinator:
Megan Araya, MBA, CFM, (727) 942-5604, Cell (727) 359-8879 or email: maraya@ctsfl.us

Plans Examiner:
Lisa Godwin, CFM, (727) 942-5608, Cell (727) 486-6068 or email: lgodwin@ctsfl.us

Municipal Arborist:
Shannon Brewer CFM, (727) 942-5617, Cell (727) 916-2285 or email: sbrewer@ctsfl.us

Building Development Permit Technicians:
Michelle DiNenno, CFM, CPT, (727) 942-5617 or email: mdinenno@ctsfl.us
Tracey Norris, (727) 942-5617 or email: tnorris@ctsfl.us
Jessica Hamrick (727) 942-5617 or email jhamrick@ctsfl.us

Building Development Inspectors:
Allen Riggs, (727) 942-5608, Cell (727) 916-1404 or email: ariggs@ctsfl.us
Preston Bales CFM, (727) 942-5608, Cell (727) 916-1688  or email: pbales@ctsfl.us
Samuel Lackey, (727)942-5608, Cell (727)494-6689 or email: slackey@ctsfl.us

Site Construction Inspector:
Samuel Frantz, (727) 942-5608, Cell (727) 486-6064 or email sfrantz@ctsfl.us

Building Development Personnel Licensure

Building Department Bulletins:
Drone Policy
Electrical Temporary Underground Power
Elevation Certificate Requirements
Energy
Fats Oils Grease Policy – FOG
Private Provider Policy
Re-Roof Policy
Residential Truss Engineering
Third Party Permit Services Bulletin

FLORIDA BUILDING CODE – The new Florida Building Code (FBC) 7th Ed., (2020) was effective December 31, 2020. All plans submitted after December 30, 2020 MUST depict this code, no exceptions.

Instruction Process Video Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCkRdb40skI

 

App Download Video Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_rEe5xoxo

 

Covid-19 Video Inspection Memorandum for Occupied Residential Properties

 

Video Inspection Pamphlet

Local Business Taxes Renewals are Due September 30th

If you have a business in Tarpon Springs, be on the lookout for your local business tax renewal in the mail or in your email. Be sure if you have signed up for email renewal, and you do not receive the notice, check your spam or junk mail folders. If you do not receive your local business tax renewal either in the mail or via email, please contact the Building Development office by email: dsinfo@ctsfl.us or by calling (727) 942-5617. If you have not registered your business with the City of Tarpon Springs, you can find the links for the ordinance and application below.

a.§ 11-2. – DEFINITIONS. LOCAL BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT or RECEIPT. The method by which the city grants the privilege of engaging in or managing any business, profession or occupation within its jurisdiction. No one shall conduct any business unless such person shall first procure a local business tax receipt to conduct the same from the city. It does not mean any fees or local business tax paid to any board, commission or officer for permits, registration, examination or inspection.

  1. § 11-3. – LOCAL BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT REQUIRED. No person shall engage in or manage any business, occupation, or profession for which there is a local business tax required by this article unless that person first procures a local business tax receipt from the city to conduct the business, occupation or profession. (Ord. 2013-06, passed 3-19-13)
  2. State Law reference— Authority to levy occupational license tax, see F.S. § 205.042; limitations on issuance, see F.S. § 205.043

Local Business Tax Ordinance

Local Business Tax Application

Local Business Tax Renewal Instructions 2022-2023

Local Business Tax Step By Step

Local Business Tax Renewals On-Line

The Building Development Department is pleased to announce the addition of seven new permits applications to the City of Tarpon Springs on-line permitting services.

  1. Fence
  2. Garage Door
  3. Gas
  4. Residential & Commercial Demolitions
  5. Roofing
  6. Tree only residential, not new construction or commercial
  7. Windows & Doors

Already existing on-line permit applications are (mechanical A/C change outs less than $7,500 and electric service panel change out less than $2,500). Please keep in mind that all applicable permit application documentation is required to be submitted through our upload option that is available at the time the application is submitted on-line. If you have any questions, you may contact dsinfo@ctsfl.us

These permit applications are easily accessible by going this link: https://tarp-egov.aspgov.com/Click2GovBP/index.html

Residential Master File – Instructions for Master File Application and Form

Refer to our DOCUMENT LIBRARY for other information and permitting forms.

Statute 553.80(7)

Permit Utilization Report
Per Florida Statute 553.80 (7)
FY 22
Personnel services costs, including salary and related employee benefit costs incurred by the local government to enforce the Florida Building Code 940,531
Operating Expenditures/Expenses 179,789
Number of building permit applications submitted 3157
Number of building permits issued or approved 3333
Number of building inspections and re-inspections requested 9311
Number of building inspections and re-inspections conducted 9311
Inspections by Private Provider 368
Audits of Private Provider Bldg. Inspections 0
Number of Employees 12
Revenue from Permit fees 468407
Revenue from Fines (re-inspection fees) 2760
Balance Carried Forward 0
Refunds 0
Revenue from Other Sources 0

 

 

Private Provider Policy

Private Provider Notice

Private Provider Plan Compliance Affidavit

Private Provider in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
FEMA Memo on Affidavits

The DEM State Floodplain Management Office has received inquiries regarding use and acceptance of private providers for building in special flood hazard areas. The FBC, Building Chapter 1 specifically does not extend that authority to the flood load and flood resistant construction requirements in Sec. 105.14 exception, and Sec. 107.6.1. The above memorandum, co-signed by Jason Hunter, FEMA Region IV, explains the origin of those FBC provisions and FEMA’s expectations based on the NFIP regulations.

Despite the submission of an affidavit authorized by B107.6, the building official must review plans for compliance with the flood provisions and issue permits and perform inspections to ensure compliance with the flood provisions. Under the NFIP, the community is responsible for ensuring compliance. *The original proposal (SP5255) included both Section 107.6.1 and Section 117; the exception to Section 105.14 was added to proposal CA5082) by amendments for consistency. Please contact (850) 815-4556 or floods@em.myflorida.com if you have questions about the flood provisions in the FBC or FBC-coordinated floodplain management regulations.