FL H0447

Counties and municipalities may send written notice of building permit expiration to property owners and contractors at least 30 days before expiration, and may charge only one search fee per tax parcel for identifying building permits

Property owners may close building permits by hiring a new licensed contractor or acting as owner-builder; contractors hired to close permits are only liable for work they perform, not original contractor's defects

Local enforcement agencies may close permits 6 years after issuance without final inspection if no safety hazards exist, and may not penalize arms-length purchasers for permits left open by previous owners

Local governments may not carry forward unexpended building permit fee revenue exceeding the average of their previous 4-year operating budget, with excess funds required to be used for fee rebates and reductions

Florida Building Commission may approve triennial code updates without finding they accommodate specific state needs; notices of construction defect claims do not toll statute of repose periods under Chapter 95