Building Development Department
Office Hours: M-F 8:00-4:30 for Permitting Closed all Federal Holidays and Epiphany (open Columbus Day)
Building Development Department Staff Building Development Director: David Gilson, CBO, CFM email: dgilson@ctsfl.us
Deputy Building Official: Keith Meade, CFM email: kmeade@ctsfl.us
Municipal Arborist: Shannon Brewer CFM, (727) 942-5617, Cell (727) 916-2285 or email: sbrewer@ctsfl.us
Building Development Permit Technicians:
Tracey Norris, (727) 942-5617 or email: tnorris@ctsfl.us
Jessica Hamrick (727) 942-5617 or email jhamrick@ctsfl.us
Andrew Nikiforakis, (727) 942-5617 or email anikiforakis@ctsfl.us
Stephanie Vargas, (727) 942-5617 or email svargas@ctsfl.us
Building Development Inspectors:
Allen Riggs, (727) 942-5608, Cell (727) 916-1404 or email: ariggs@ctsfl.us
Sidney Akins sakins@ctsfl.us
Site Construction Inspector:
Christopher Brown 727-942-5608, Cell (727) 486-6064 or email: cbrown@ctsfl.us
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.
- § 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)
- 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 Application
Local Business Tax Renewal Instructions 2024-2025
Digital Online Permit Submission
The Building Department is continuing to expand our digital and online building permit application process. Effective December 31, 2023, submissions provided via electronic mail (email) will no longer be accepted.
Electronic submission through our GoPost portal is highly encouraged for electronic plan review. See links below:
GoPost portal: https://gp-tarponsprings.eplansoftreview.com/#/login?portal=tarponsprings
GoPost Tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeDPsGL2tUQ
Please watch a tutorial for the uploading process in electronic plan review at this link:
Electronic Plan Review
The City has implemented a new electronic plan review process that allows applications to be submitted digitally through an online portal. This new application submission process is more efficient for routing plan review to departments simultaneously allowing for shorter review time periods.
Step 1: Please visit the document library to download the correct permit application.
Step 2: Visit https://gp-tarponsprings.eplansoftreview.com/#/login?portal=tarponsprings and submit the application with plans and other necessary documents.
You will receive regular email updates in your Go Post Portal as your project moves through the process.
Floodplain Permits
A Floodplain Permit may be required for certain projects. A determination will be made during plan review, and if applicable, the fee will be applied at that time. The intent of the Floodplain Development Permit is to conform to the standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Florida Building Code (FBC), and the Community Rating System (CRS). Doing so requires additional time to review for compliance at the time of permitting for all development in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Additionally, Elevation Certificate or Flood Zone Determination inquiries can be made to Megan Araya @ maraya@tsfr.us
The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition, goes into effect.
Effective December 31, 2023, the City of Tarpon Springs will operate under the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code and the associated references. All will be updated to reflect the building and technical codes as implemented by the Florida Building Commission. A list of substantial changes may be found on the website of the Florida Building Commission, as well as digital copies of all Florida Building Codes at Florida Building Code Online.
