Pinellas County and/or FEMA have begun Substantial Damage Estimate inspections.
The Inspectors are making great progress.
Please remember that this is a multistep process and will take time. We will continue to update the progress as we receive information. Unfortunately, we do not have a completion date available currently and appreciate the community’s continued patience.
As a reminder, we will only issue permits required for:
- Life safety, including:
- Electrical-
- NOTE- Wire and cable manufacturers at NEMA and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), state that Type NM-B cable (which includes Southwire’s Romex® Brand) needs to be removed if the cable has been submerged in flood waters.
- Mechanical (HVAC)
- Building envelope (Roof, Door, Window) as required for security.
- Electrical-
- Demolition, including:
- Structures to be razed.
- Interior demolition (drywall removal) to allow the building to dry.
Permits are REQUIRED for all of this work. There will be NO PENALTIES for doing the work if you obtain an after-the-fact permit. Permits are for your protection and information gathering only. Inspections will verify the extent of your damage and preparation for work, and then, proper completion when done.
For your protection, please consider adding the following condition to any contract: “Final payment is contingent on final permit inspection and approval by the town.”
If there is any way that I can be of assistance, or if you have any additional questions about this matter, please e-mail whudson@safebuilt.com or call me at my office, 727/285-0933.
Cordially,
William (Bill) Hudson, CBO, MCP
Interim Building Official