Private Provider Information

DEFINITION

A person licensed as an engineer under Chapter 471 or as an architect under Chapter 481. A Private provider also includes a person who holds a standard certificate under part XII of Chapter 468 who may perform inspections for additions and alterations that are limited to 1,000 square feet or less of residential buildings.

Private Provider Firm Registration
Florida HB 803 requires every local government in Florida to operate a mandatory registration system for Private Providers and Private Provider Firms. The law substantially expands and standardizes how private providers (licensed engineers, architects, or building code administrators performing plan review and inspections) interact with local building departments.

Effective July 1, 2026, Private Provider firms seeking to obtain a permit in Miami Beach must be registered. Miami-Dade County will be the registrar for all municipalities. To register your firm, please visit the following link: New Private Provider Firm Application - EPS

Procedure for Applying

The applicant of a Private Provider submittal must follow these guidelines:

Initial Permit Submittal
Applicant must provide a document outlining the specific digital files already submitted and currently in review at the Building Department.
Approved Plans
Private provider must submit a Private Provider Compliance Form along with the set of drawings being approved. The list of drawings described in the affidavit will include sheet names, latest revision number, and the digital signature name/date.

NOTE: Providing the Affidavit authorizing submittal of scanned plans and construction documents in lieu of digital signed and sealed set is satisfactory. If the document is digitally signed and sealed per the City of Miami Beach digital signature guidelines, it does not require a notary signature.

Duly Authorized Representative

Scope of Work

A Private Provider and any Duly Authorized Representative may only perform building code inspection services that are within the disciplines covered by that person's licensure or certification under Florida Statutes, Chapter 468, Chapter 471, or Chapter 481; a Private Provider may not provide building code inspection services pursuant to this section upon any building designed or constructed by the Private Provider or the Private Provider's firm. All subpermits associated with the master permit must be obtained by a private provider as well.

A fee owner using a private Provider for building code inspection services shall:

Notify the Building Official.

Using the form adopted by the Florida Building Commission. The form includes:

Private Provider information.
Services to be performed.
Fee Owner acknowledgment.
Proof of insurance.

Private Provider Pre-Construction Meeting

Meeting Requirements
All projects with a job value exceeding $1 million, with private provider service, will be required to undergo a pre-construction meeting with the Building Official and the Building Trade Chiefs.

Key Points:
• Projects Over $1 Million: Must schedule a pre-construction meeting.
• Projects Under $1 Million: No pre-construction meeting is required for these projects. The private provider to submit The Private Provider Acknowledgement Form.

Scheduling Instructions:
• To schedule a pre-construction meeting: Email Administration at BuildingAdmin@miamibeachfl.gov.
• Available Time Slots: Pre-construction meetings will be held virtually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Accommodations can be requested if needed.

Insurance Requirements

A private provider may perform building code inspection services on a building project under this section only if the private provider maintains insurance for professional liability covering all services performed as a private provider. Such insurance shall have minimum policy limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate for any project with a construction cost of $5 million or less and $2 million per occurrence and $4 million in the aggregate for any project with a construction cost of over $5 million.

Nothing in this section limits the ability of a fee owner to require additional insurance or higher policy limits. For these purposes, the term "construction cost" means the total cost of building construction as stated in the building permit application. If the private provider chooses to secure claims-made coverage to fulfill this requirement, the private provider must also maintain coverage for a minimum of 5 years after the performance of building code inspection services.

The insurance required under this subsection shall be written only by insurers authorized to do business in this state with a minimum A.M. Best's rating of A. Before providing building code inspection services within a local building official's jurisdiction, a private provider must provide to the local building official a certificate of insurance evidencing that the coverage required under this subsection are in force.

Private Provider Compliance

Issuance of the Permit

Notice of Plan Deficiency

What Constitutes Proper Notice

Dispute of Identified Plan Deficiencies

The Building Official shall be available to meet with the Private Provider within 2 business days after denying a permit occupancy or completion.
If unable to resolve, then the matter is referred to BORA (local enforcement agency's board of appeals).
BORA's decision may be appealed to the Florida Building Commission.
BORA may review any decisions regarding the issuance of a permit, CO or CC.

Inspections

Performing Inspections

Private Providers must perform all required inspections.
Private Provider may send a Duly Authorized Representative.
All required reports and certifications must be prepared by and bear the signature of the Private Provider.

Notice of Inspections

A record of the inspections must be kept on a form acceptable to the Building Official.
The inspections' records must be posted at the site.
Records must be maintained at all times and be available to the Building Official.
The Building Department will conduct random field checks.
The Building Department will conduct all electrical inspections for temporary or permanent power.
The Building Department will conduct all final inspections and inspections for the issuance of Temporary or Final Certificates of Occupancy/Completion.
The Private Provider must report to the Building Official any conditions that pose an immediate threat to public safety and welfare.

Upon Completion of all Inspections

The private Provider shall prepare a certificate of compliance.
Using a form acceptable to the Building Official.
Summarizing inspections performed.
Including a written representation, under oath that the construction complies with the approved plans and the applicable codes.

Building Official's Option

Certificate of Occupancy/Completion

Building Official must issue CO or CC within 2 business days of receiving the request and the applicant's certificate of compliance, or
Provide notice of specific deficiencies, including code chapters and sections.
If a notice of deficiency is not provided within 2 days the CO or CC shall be deemed granted and the Building Official shall issue the CO or CC the next day.
The Applicant may dispute the deficiencies or submit a corrected request for CO or CC.

Disciplinary Guidelie of Private Providers and Duly Authorized Representatives

A private Provider is subject to the disciplinary guidelines of the applicable professional board, Chapter 468, Chapter 471, or Chapter 481. All private Providers shall be subject to the disciplinary guidelines of section 468.621 (1)(c)-(h). Any complaint processing, investigation, and discipline that arise out of a Private Provider's performance of building code inspection services shall be conducted by the applicable professional board.