The Broward Building Code Division provides permitting, code compliance and enforcement to the Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD) and Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The agency also provides regional elevator permitting, enforcement and compliance, as well as contractor licensing and enforcement. Please contact building@broward.org for more information.
The Building Code Division regulates construction in unincorporated Broward County and also cities we contract with, conform to the Florida Building Code and all other laws, ordinances, resolutions and regulations regarding construction, code enforcement, unsafe structure/minimum housing regulations, and elevator safety. Mandates in Chapter 399 of the Florida State Statutes regarding elevator safety are monitored and strictly enforced. by Broward County Building Code inspectors. We also regulate all trades and occupations associated with the installation, repair, alteration, design or modification of electrical, plumbing, liquefied petroleum gas, mechanical systems, building construction industry; and engineered construction, as mandated by the Florida Statutes and Chapter 9 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances.
Broward County Building Code Division is located at:
2307 W. Broward Boulevard., Suite 300
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-3:30PM (closed on County-observed holidays)
Government to Government
The reality of today’s budget constraints has resulted in several municipalities outsourcing portions or all of their building department functions. We are leading the way as a provider of comprehensive building services at very competitive rates. We are fully committed to providing effective public service; quality, excellent customer service and a partnership you can trust. That's our agreement to you!
Central Examining Board of the Construction Trades
We coordinate the meetings for the Broward County Central Examining Board of Construction Trades. We also schedule construction contractors and new applicants for license review, qualifications, background questions or violations. The Board holds its meeting monthly alternating between Division I (General Construction, Specialty and Engineered Construction Contractors) and Division II (Electrical, Mechanical, Specialty Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors).
Board Divisions:
Division I of the Central Examining Board shall consist of nine (9) members and nine (9) alternates, of which five (5) members and five (5) alternates shall be appointed by the Commission and four (4) members and four (4) alternates by the Broward County League of Cities, or its successor organization , and who shall have been active in the applicable trade or occupation in Broward County for at least ten (10) years prior to appointment to the board ("Professional Members"). The Commission and League of Cities Professional Member appointments shall each consist of two (2) Professional Members and two (2) Professional Member alternates in the general construction trade, and one (1) Professional Member and one (1) Professional Member alternate in the engineered construction trade. Two (2) members and two (2) alternates appointed by the Commission and one (1) member and one (1) alternate appointed by the Broward County League of Cities shall be consumer representatives who are residents of Broward County and who are not and have never been members or practitioners of a profession regulated by the board or members of any closely related profession ("Consumer Representatives").
Division II of the Central Examining Board shall consist of nine (9) members and nine (9) alternates, of which five (5) members and five (5) alternates shall be appointed by the Commission and four (4) members and four (4) alternates by the Broward County League of Cities, or its successor organization. Three (3) members and three (3) alternates appointed by the Commission and three (3) members and three (3) alternates appointed by the Broward County League of Cities shall be Professional Members who have been active in the applicable trade or occupation in Broward County for at least ten (10) years prior to appointment to the board. The Commission and League of Cities Professional Member appointments shall consist of one (1) Professional Member and one (1) Professional Member alternate in each of the following trades: electrical contracting, mechanical contracting, and plumbing contracting. Two (2) members and two (2) alternates appointed by the Commission and one (1) member and one (1) alternate appointed by the League of Cities shall be Consumer Representatives who are residents of Broward County and who are not and have never been members or practitioners of a profession regulated by the board or members of any closely related profession.
In addition to assisting the Central Examining Boards in issuing Certificates of Competency, we administer a licensed contractor program and an unlicensed contractor program. Both of these programs include receiving and fielding complaints, performing investigations, compiling case files, holding disciplinary proceedings, issuing fines and performing mediation.
Customized Services to Municipalities
The Broward County Building Code Division provides customized service to cities, townships and municipalities within Broward County. These services include:
- Establishing a full service building department that can be staffed and operational either from your city’s government center or from our centrally located offices.
- Providing guaranteed increments of supplemental service as needed for certified building code inspectors and/or plans examiners for any of the designated trades/disciplines (structural, electrical, plumbing or mechanical) including professional coverage such as a Building Official or Chief Building Code Inspector.
- Providing supplemental/emergency services to augment peak demand for municipal building department staff.
Location, Location, Location!
For a seamless transition, we recommend your customers continue to submit applications for building permits and other services at your city hall or government center. An on-site Building Official will coordinate the operational activities and with designated city staff as desired by management. Depending on the agreement, plan review activities can be performed on-site or transferred to our centralized permit center, should a large-scale review be required.
All inspection requests will be scheduled and performed according to current code requirements. Fees are typically collected on-site and may include a municipal cost recovery charge at the city’s request to adjust for associated municipal administrative costs related to specific building services application processing. Zoning code and property maintenance code enforcement services may be available under certain circumstances to full service customers.
Guaranteed Partial Staffing
For building departments that may need extra coverage during peak times or to offset temporary staff vacancies, we can guarantee a dedicated resource to provide plan review and/or inspection services. In accordance with the terms of an Inter-Local Agreement, the number of hours of plan review and inspection services required daily each week is determined by the city’s need. The city is invoiced on a monthly basis at the hourly rates for services rendered based on the published amounts set by ordinance in the adopted fee schedule.
Additional Service Options Available:
- Contractor licensing and enforcement
- Explosive materials monitoring and related blasting inspection services
- Florida Building Code enforcement, investigation and board hearings
- Investigations and hearings by the Broward County Minimum Housing/Unsafe Structures Board
- Property maintenance standards enforcement
- Zoning and landscape reviews and inspections
We are the Benchmark
We have an established agency offering experienced state and county certified professionals ready to support the permitting, plan review and inspection requirements of your city. Our staff of professional engineers, building code administrators, certified building plans examiners and inspectors as well as administrative personnel work diligently to implement the Florida Building Code.
We offer the latest available technology providing complete tracking of permit status from application, plan review, inspection, permit issuance and Certificate of Occupancy or Completion; public internet access to monitor their permit/inspection information and receive automatic e-mail/voicemail updates. Excellent positive customer service monitored by the scores shown in the customer service surveys submitted on-line or at the time service is provided.
Value Added Benefits
Government 2 Government contracting ensures stability and continuity of service. The risk of default is eliminated. Internal coordination with various county agencies that affect building activities, including:
Our building permit fees are set by an independent rate consultant and division expenditures are continually monitored by the County Auditor's Office. Our non-profit status eliminates the need to incorporate profit into the building permit fee schedule.
