Commercial Projects assists customers who are developing commercial or multi-family residential projects. Staff from the Building Inspections, Planning and Zoning and Engineering Departments work together to educate customers and enforce the requirements of the Santa Rosa County Land Development Code and other local ordinances, the Santa Rosa County Comprehensive Plan and the Florida Building Code or FBC, among other regulations. Many different types of projects and new businesses require review, permitting, inspections and may need to be reviewed and approved prior to commencing work or starting a business, including:
New construction
Remodels/renovations, including interior build-outs
Forms and applications required for permitting and site review are located on the "Forms" tab above. Please contact a project manager if you have any questions about your proposed project.
Introduce yourself to the development review process and requirements. Please visit the links below for State and local regulations which we enforce. You may also call (850) 981-7000 to speak with a commercial project manager about your proposed project.
Goal: Make sure your proposed project is feasible and familiarize yourself with the development review process.
Step 2 - Pre-Application Meeting
Call (850) 981-7000 or select the link below to schedule a pre-application meeting for your project. The purpose of a pre-application meeting is to present your ideas to the staff that will review your project so they may help you to understand all that will be required. Pre-application meetings are strongly encouraged for all projects and are required for projects in the Planned Unit Development, or PUD, Planned Business District and Planned Industrial Development zoning districts. There is no fee for a pre-application meeting.
Goal: Discuss the specifics of your project with the staff that will review it. Understand the requirements and process for your project.
Step 3 - Other Necessary Approvals
County development approval may not be all that is necessary for your particular project. Each project is different and may require other federal, state and county approvals to proceed. Also, depending on the specifics of your situation your project may require county-level public meeting approvals (i.e. rezoning, variances, architectural approval, etc.). Please visit the links below for contact information for these agencies and information on county public review boards.
Goal: Ensure that all necessary permits and approvals are obtained for your project in a timely manner.
Step 4 - Plan Submission and Staff Review
Site Plan Submittal-Submit a completed application with plans, approvals from outside agencies (if necessary or available), and other required documentation. Fees are collected at the time of submittal. Site plans and building plans are reviewed under different processes and therefore must be submitted separately.
Staff Review-County staff will review your submission and issue comments that specify needed revisions or additional information. Staff review will be completed within 10 business days for any submission (although resubmittals are targeted for review in five business days).
Building Plan Submittal-You may submit your plans for building review anytime before, during or after site plan review. Submit a completed application with two sets of plans and a plan review fee. Site plans and building plans are reviewed under different processes and therefore must be submitted separately.
Staff Review-Staff will review your submission and comments that specify needed revisions will be compiled. Most staff reviews will be completed within 10 business days; however, depending upon the complexity of the project, more time may be required.
Goal: Ensure that all required plans, information, and materials are submitted with the application.
Step 5 - Plan Approval or Permit Issuance
Site Plan and Building Plan Submittals- At the conclusion of staff review, your plans will either be approved or review comments will be issued calling for revisions or additional information. If revisions or additional information are required, a resubmittal will be necessary. There is no fee for plan resubmittals.
Goal: Ensure that all plans meet minimum code standards.
Site Plan and Building Plan Submittals - You or your consultant(s) will address the staff comments and resubmit for review. To speed up review, it is helpful to include a "response to comments" letter detailing how the staff comments were addressed. Resubmittals are targeted for review in five business days.
>> Step 5b-Plan Approval
Site Plan Approval - Once the site plan is deemed complete and compliant with all applicable regulations, staff will issue a development order or DO. You will be notified of the approval and may pick up your approved plans at your convenience. Plans can also be shipped at your expense if desired. Site development can begin once the DO is issued. If on-site underground utilities are proposed, a site utility permit and inspections are necessary. Contact the Commercial Plumbing Plans Examiner at (850) 981-7000 for more information.
Permit Issuance - Once the submission is approved with all applicable regulations and after a DO is issued, staff will issue the necessary building permits. Upon payment of permit fees, the contractor may pick up the approved plans/permit and building construction can commence. A list of specific requirements to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, or CO, for the building(s) will be given when your first permit is issued and as the job nears completion.
Step 6 - Inspections
Building and Site Utility Inspections- Schedule all required inspections as the job progresses. Please select the link below for a generic list of required inspections to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or CO. A list of specific inspections for your project is provided when your first permit is issued and as the job nears completion and is also available via the link below. For projects with an approved site plan, a successful final site inspection is required before issuance of a CO.
Final Site Inspection- Once the site work approved on the site plans is complete, a final site inspection is required. The link below provides information on the site inspection process and the request form that must be submitted to request a final site inspection. There is no required site inspections prior to the final site inspection.
Goal: Ensure that inspections are completed during the appropriate phase of construction.
Step 7 - Time to Occupy
The county will issue a Certificate of Occupancy, or CO, or Certificate of Completion, or COC, after all final inspections have passed. For projects that do not require a CO or COC but required site work (i.e. have an approved site plan), a successful final site inspection is required.
Application for commercial structures including but not limited to: new construction, interior remodels, worship buildings, antenas, and wind turbines.
Construction permit application for billboards and off-premise directional signs. Zoning approval must be obtained before a construction permit can be issued (see the Off-Premise Sign Zoning Approval Application).
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electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in
writing.
Step 1 - Getting Started
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