CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Public Service Notice- Florida Park Drive

January 22, 2020

Dear Contractor,

The City of Palm Coast is providing this message as a public service notice.  Florida Park Drive, from Palm Harbor Parkway to the Island Walk Shopping Center Driveway has been posted as a No Truck Route;  As well as, any residential street within the City limits of the City of Palm Coast.

As Palm Coast has grown, residential street have become a popular route for cars, trucks, delivery vehicles and more. This has led to congestion, noise issues and safety concerns.

We're asking that you do your part, by ensuring that trucks and delivery vehicles utilize approved commercial routes.  Any Heavy Truck making a delivery or providing services to or from a location in or abutting a No Truck Route, to which location would otherwise be inaccessible by such vehicle.

Established truck routes:

• Palm Coast Parkway

• Old Kings Road

• Belle Terre Parkway/Boulevard

• Palm Harbor Parkway

• Matanzas Woods Parkway

• Pine Lakes Parkway

• Whiteview Parkway

• Seminole Woods Boulevard

• US 1

• SR 100

• Colbert Lane

Please notify your delivery drivers and/or your own truck drivers so they can adjust their routes. Trucks ticketed on a No Truck Route will be issued a $200 fine for the first violation.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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ROW Utilization Agreements - Paver Driveways

January 10, 2020

Effective Immediately, 

The notary law changed Jan 1, 2020 requiring an update to the notary blocks on all forms.  Anything signed on or after Jan. 1, 2020 MUST use the new form or the Clerk's Office will not record the document.  We will not be able to approve any agreements which are received with the old form with a signature date that doesn't meet the date requirement.

Attached please find revised Right-of-Way Utilization Agreements for your immediate use.  Please note that these are fillable forms for your convenience.

PLEASE DISCARD ALL PREVIOUS FORMS THAT YOU HAVE AND USE ONLY THESE FROM NOW ON!!

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Truss Layout Submittal Requirement

January 8, 2020

In an effort to clarify the Truss Layout submittal requirement for new construction,

There are generally two types of truss plans, both of which are nearly the same.  One is a generic truss layout plan provided by the truss manufacturer and the other, is a truss layout provided by the engineer who is performing the structural design for the home.   

The primary difference between the two plans:

• Truss Manufacturer Layout - a guide as to where trusses should be placed.

   

• Engineered Design Layout - provides structural information and requirements that are necessary for the roof to be properly constructed and anchored and provides for proper inspections.  This layout will be signed and sealed by the Engineer.

   

The city requires the signed and sealed Engineered Design Layout as part of a new construction permit package for plan review. 

Please see the attachments for examples. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Grounding Electrical Boxes

January 8, 2020

It has come to our attention that numerous electrical boxes are not being properly grounded to the home's electrical wiring system.  This has been noticed mostly at lighting outlet boxes where grounding conductors are not being connected to the grounding screw on the light mounting bracket inside the outlet box/ junction boxes.  This practice could result in metal parts within the electrical box and / or the fixture to become energized which in turn could result in an electric shock hazard. 

As a reminder, a complete path to ground is required in all electrical circuits according to the National Electric Code Article 110.3(B) and 440.40.  A complete path includes all metal parts and components including fixtures connected to lighting and other outlets.  Please be advised, the Electrical Inspector will be closely checking lighting and other equipment installations at time of final electrical inspections to ensure electricians are properly completing wiring methods and in particular methods relating to the proper wiring of grounding conductors.  The discovery of improper wiring methods may result in a request by the Inspector to remove lighting fixture and other cover plates to reveal wiring internal to outlet boxes for the purpose of inspection to ensure a complete grounding path has been provided in accordance with the NEC.  If grounding or other wiring problems are encountered, corrections and re-inspections will be required and could result in delays in closing permits and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Utility Cross Connection Inspection

January 6, 2020

Effective for all permits applied for on or after January 6^th.

In an effort to protect the general public, a Cross Connection inspection will be added to all Single Family & Duplex permits.

This inspection will ensure that before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, a cross connection to the potable water supply is not present.      This includes, but is not limited to reuse/reclaimed water, wells and irrigation lines.

The City of Palm Coast does install double check back flows at the meter to protect the main lines from a potential hazard; however, if a cross connection occurs on the home side or after the meter and back flow, there is a potential to contaminate the home owners water supply.   (This is why this inspection is so important)!

This inspection code will be a 9035 'Utility Cross Connection' and will be identified on your permit placard for all new single family & Duplex construction.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Holiday Schedule

December 17, 2019

The City of Palm Coast would like to announce that it will be observing special holiday hours to allow employees to enjoy the special time of year both with their families and with their coworkers.

"Everyone has been working so hard this year," said Morton. "I thought it was important to allow everyone an extra day to recharge and come back refreshed. Family time and personal time is so important-especially during this busy time of year."

In addition, City offices (both City Hall and public areas of other City buildings) will be closed from 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, December 18 to allow City employees to enjoy an annual special lunch together, put together by the City's "Boosting All Morale" (BAM!) Team.

The entire city office closures are as follows:

• Wednesday, December 18  -  from 11 am to 1 pm

• Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve):                

• Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day):         

• Thursday, December 26                                          

• Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day):              

   

The City of Palm Coast would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays. It has been a pleasure serving you in 2019 and we look forward to a great 2020

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Transportation Impact Fee Increase  

December 17, 2019

This table addresses residential construction only.   For a complete list of the transportation impact

Fees, please visit our website.

**The table has been updated to reflect the total impact fee amount for duplex**   (not per unit)

Residential Homebuilders will see an increase in transportation impact fees effective for residential permits applied for January 1^st or after.   (Online packets that must be submitted by close of business day December 31st)

Original ITT platted lot - a residential lot with final plat approval as of December 30, 1977.  In most cases, it will be a legal description beginning with Section, Block and Lot (07-11-31-70)

Please check our website for official copies of the fee schedule. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Transportation Impact Fee Increase  

December 10, 2019

This table addresses residential construction only.   For a complete list of the transportation impact

Fees, please visit our website.

Residential Homebuilders will see an increase in transportation impact fees effective for residential permits applied for January 1^st or after. 

Original ITT platted lot - a residential lot with final plat approval as of December 30, 1977.  In most cases, it will be a legal description beginning with Section, Block and Lot (07-11-31-70)

Please check our website for official copies of the fee schedule. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Inspections for Flatwork

November 18, 2019

Effective for any permits applied for on or after DECEMBER 2, 2019, a PRE-POUR inspection will be required prior to the final inspection for concrete (flat) work. 

Also be reminded, effective today for any flatwork greater than 300 square feet will require a final survey.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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**UPDATED **

Final Survey Requirements for Flat Work

 (Concrete patio)  

November 14, 2019

Effective for all permits applied for on or after November 18, 2019, a final survey will be required prior to the final inspection for concrete (flat) work greater than 300 square feet.

• A survey will NOT be required for pre-manufactured sheds

Effective immediately, a final survey will NOT be required for aluminum enclosures on existing patios. 

• It will be required if you are adding any concrete greater than 300 square feet.

*A survey may be required if the lot is peculiar and the concrete may impede the drainage flow

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Final Survey Requirements for Flat Work

 (Concrete patio)  

October 21, 2019

Effective November 18, 2019, a final survey will be required prior to the final inspection for concrete (flat) work greater than 100 square feet.

• A survey will NOT be required for pre-manufactured sheds

Effective immediately, a final survey will NOT be required for aluminum enclosures on existing patios. 

• It will be required if you are adding concrete greater than 100 square feet.

*A survey may be required if the lot is peculiar and the concrete may impede the drainage flow.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Notarization of Documents

October 9, 2019

Notarizations are an intricate part of the Building Permit Application Process. Unfortunately, on occasion, false notarizations are discovered. These discoveries are usually part of a larger issue outside the purview of the Permitting Division.

On occasion, notarized documents are later found to be incorrectly or falsely notarized.  This can lead to legal consequences. The most common are documents signed not in the presence of the notary and notarizations performed for relatives or business partners.  Below are some frequently asked questions that commonly arise:

May I notarize a signature without the person being present if another person swears that the person signed the document?

No! The Notary Section receives frequent inquiries about "notarizing a person's signature by subscribing witness." Evidently, some notaries believe that it is permissible to notarize a signature when the person is not present if someone who witnessed the signing of the document appears before the notary and swears that the person actually signed the document. Some states, like California, do, in fact, allow such notarizations, but Florida does not. Misunderstanding may also stem from a section in Florida law that provides a method by which instruments concerning real property may be entitled to recording in Florida when the document signer cannot appear before a notary to acknowledge his or her signature. You may hear this procedure referred to as "proof of execution by subscribing witness."

As a business owner, would I have a financial interest in the transactions being notarized for my company's business?

Section 117.107(12), Florida Statutes, provides that you may not be the notary for a transaction in which you have a financial interest or to which you are a party. Although this provision was added to the notary law in 1992, it is not a new prohibition. This provision was merely a codification of the same prohibition established by case law dating as far back as the 1800s and as recently as the 1990s.

May I notarize a document for a family member?

No! Per the Florida Statutes, a notary public "may not notarize a signature on a document if the person whose signature is to be notarized is the spouse, son, daughter, mother, or father of the notary public." (Section 117.107(11).

Cases of false or fraudulent notarizations can be reported to the Office of the Governor at https://www.flgov.com/notary-complaints/.  There are both civil and criminal penalties that are applicable to fraudulent notarization.

The City of Palm Coast offers free notarization services to all city residents and businesses.

City of Palm Coast

Building Division

386-986-3780

palmcoastgov.com

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Generator Disconnects

September 26, 2019

In accordance with the National Electric Code 2014,  445.18 for all permits applied for on or after October 9, 2019:

• A disconnect must be installed between the transfer switch and the generator.

• The disconnect shall be identified as a 'Generator Shut-Off'.

The disconnect will be identified on the approved plans.

September 4, 2019

Palm Coast City Hall will resume normal operations tomorrow, Thurday September 5th,  to include the Building Division Permitting and Plan Review services.   

We will make every effort to perform any inspections that have been requested this week on Thursday.  Any site not visited on Thursday will be completed on Friday. 

Please make contact with any homeowners that may need to be home for inspections to ensure accessiblity.    We encourage you to cancel any inspection that may not be ready or accessible for inspection.  palmcoastgov.com/eplan   or 386-986-4747.

September 3, 2019

Re:  Hurricane Dorian   

Hurricane Dorian is expected to affect the City of Palm Coast over the next 2 days.    

Building Division staff immediately following the hurricane will be performing damage assessment throughout the entire city.

Office operations are anticipated to be open for normal operations Thursday, September 5th.   

Normal operations for inspections will be suspended until the damage assessment has been completed.  It is hopeful the assessment will be completed within one day and we will resume normal operations on Friday, September 6^th.  

Thank you to all the construction companies that took a proactive approach securing your job sites and hauling waste prior to the potential arrival of severe weather conditions. 

Please keep you and your family safe during this time and stay tuned to the city website for the most recent updates in your community.   www.palmcoastgov.com

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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City Offices Closed Tuesday September 3^rd

August 30, 2019

Please be advised, City Offices will be closed Tuesday September 3^rd due to Hurricane Dorian.  (Offices are closed Monday in observance of Labor Day). 

Building inspections requested for Tuesday will be done when the office resumes normal activities.   This schedule will depend on the course taken by Hurricane Dorian and the impact it has on our community.

Please stay tuned to the City's website, facebook page and the local media for the latest information.   www.palmcoastgov.com

August 28, 2019

Hurricane Dorian is expected to make landfall in Florida within the next 4- 5 days;  please be sure to secure any loose items, building materials, debris, dumpsters and signage you may have stored on your construction sites.

In addition, please make sure all swales are free flowing and are not obstructed in any way and check all appropriate erosion/sediment control measures as needed. 

Thank you in advance for being a good neighbor in your community. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Storm Preparedness

August 27, 2019

As we enter peak hurricane season, please be sure to secure any loose items, building materials, debris, dumpsters and signage you may have stored on any of your properties that are under construction.  

In addition, please make sure all swales are free flowing and are not obstructed in any way and check all appropriate erosion/sediment control measures as needed. 

Thank you in advance for being a good neighbor in your community. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Early Power Request & Agreement

July 31, 2019

The Early Power Form submitted for Single Family and Duplex construction will no longer be required. 

The form has been removed as a requirement from the online portal. 

The inspection for early power will continue. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Phone System Maintenance

July 30, 2019

The City of Palm Coast will be performing maintenance on our phone system beginning Friday , August 2nd at 3PM.

If you experience difficulties in scheduling inspections, our online permitting portal offers 24/7 permitting services including the scheduling of inspections. 

If you are not familiar with this site, we encourage you to visit www.palmcoastgov.com/eplan .    You may enter the site using an address or the permit #. 

We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Unable to Obtain a Final Inspection

2-4-19

There have been questions raised how to handle a final inspection when the property owner will not make the inspection area available for inspection. 

It is strongly encouraged to schedule the inspection directly following the completion of the work, it is our experience that the more time lapses, the more difficult it is for a contractor to obtain the final inspection when a homeowner needs to be home.

The Building Department cannot release a contractor from a permit where the work has been started/completed.

The Building Department will pursue the property owner through the Code Enforcement Board proving a minimum of the following items have been done and provided to the Building Department

1. Inspection has been requested.

2. Letters / notice requesting inspection (during the 6 months of the active permit) has been sent to property owner via certified mail - return receipt requested and copies have been provided to the Building Department.

3. Letter / notice posted on property (picture for proof)

4. Phone log of attempted calls to property owner.

These steps must be throughout the 6 months of the active permit PRIOR to the expiration.  These actions are to protect YOU the contractor from action with the Department of Business and Professional Regulations / Flagler County Contractor Licensing Review Board.  Without the above information, we do not have proof to defend you did due diligence in gaining compliance. 

The evidence you supply must be enough to convince the Department of Business and Professional Regulations you have done everything possible to gain compliance.   

If the permit expires, a new permit will be required if the above steps have not been taken during the 6 months the permit was active. 

June 7, 2019

 A copy of the final survey will not be required to be at the job site for a final inspections.

All reviews and onsite inspections will have already occured prior to the final inspection.

When the PERMIT has been finaled, the survey will receive the approval stamp.   It is no longer necessary for the contractor/applicant to have a copy of the approved final survey at the site.

Water Meter and PEP Tank Installation Request

May 31, 2019

Good News

Effective June 1, 2019

All Pep Tank and Meter Requests will be scheduled through the same venues as your building inspections. 

Water Meter requests may be submitted once the following requirements have been met:

• Permit issued

• Lot cleared

• Vegetation is cleared in a 5' diameter around both front survey pins

• Obstructions removed

Pep Tank install requests may be submitted once the following requirements have been met:

• PEP Tank site must be clear of construction debris. (dumpsters, porta-lets, temporary power poles, and building supplies or materials)
• Brick or stone must be completed.
• Homes with pools under construction must provide access on the opposite property line of PEP Tank.
• Trees cannot be located within tank site.
• Building or home must be dried in stage (exterior siding, trim, windows, and complete roof system) but prior to the forming of the driveway or sidewalks.
• A cleanout must be installed on the sewer stub-out by the house as a reference point to assure the tank is placed at the proper elevation. (stakes driven in the ground by the stub-out is not acceptable as a permanent mark)

If the requirements above are not met, the inspection will be cancelled, a re-inspection fee assessed and will need to be requested again when the above criteria has been met.  

The installs will be scheduled once the request has been approved.

Any cost incurred due to damage to the Water Meter or PEP Tank during construction shall be the sole responsibility of the builder.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Water Meter and PEP Tank Installation Request

Good News

Effective June 1, 2019

All Pep Tank and Meter Requests will be scheduled through the same venues as your building inspections. 

Water Meter requests may be submitted once the following requirements have been met:

• Permit issued

• Lot cleared

• Vegetation is cleared in a 5' diameter around both front survey pins

• Obstructions removed

Pep Tank install requests may be submitted once the following requirements have been met:

• PEP Tank site must be clear of construction debris. (dumpsters, porta-lets, temporary power poles, and building supplies or materials)
• Brick or stone must be completed.
• Homes with pools under construction must provide access on the opposite property line of PEP Tank.
• Trees cannot be located within tank site.
• Building or home must be dried in stage (exterior siding, trim, windows, and complete roof system) but prior to the forming of the driveway or sidewalks.
• A cleanout must be installed on the sewer stub-out by the house as a reference point to assure the tank is placed at the proper elevation. (stakes driven in the ground by the stub-out is not acceptable as a permanent mark)

If the requirements above are not met, the inspection will be cancelled, a re-inspection fee assessed and will need to be requested again when the above criteria has been met.   

The installs will be scheduled once the request has been approved.

Any cost incurred due to damage to the Water Meter or PEP Tank during construction shall be the sole responsibility of the builder.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Payment of Water and Sewer Fees

May 3, 2019

Effective Monday, May 6^th, the application for water and sewer fees will no longer be paid in advance of the building permit application for residential construction.    

The application for water and sewer fees will be submitted WITH the permit application. 

A new fillable Utility Application has been created and is available on our website under permitting documents and in the detailed checklist. 

If you have already paid the fees, please continue to submit the Utility Receipt with the permit application. 

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Final Survey Review and Approval

May 3, 2019

In an effort to streamline the overall permitting review and inspection process, the review of final surveys will now be tracked through the inspection area.  These review will no longer be visible in the 'plan review' area of the online portal but will be visible in the inspection area. 

When a final survey is submitted, the final survey (office use only) inspection will be added.  The survey review and an inspection will performed the next business day.

The result will be entered into the inspection area and an automatic email will be generated for notification when a result has been entered.  (as it currently does)

Once the final survey inspection has been approved, you may request the remaining inspections. 

The ROW final inspection code of 9474 has been removed from the permit and replaced with a new stormwater final inspection code of 9471.  This is the only change that will affect any actions on your part - you will no longer request a ROW final inspection code of 9474.

We anticipate this change to substantially improve the time frame for final survey reviews and provide a faster timeline for you to proceed with the remainder of the inspection in a timelier manner.

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Water and Sewer Locates Review

March 29, 2019

For clarification to a previous notice, reviews for the water and sewer locates will no longer be required in advance of paying for the CIAC fees.  (water and sewer hookup)

The review for water and sewer locates will be handled during the permitting application process.

If you have already had the locates reviewed, you will submit that along with your water receipt as previously done.

If you have NOT already had the locates reviewed, you will submit a site plan identifed as "LOCATES" with the building permit application.  (The same one you would have submitted previously to Customer Service/Utility)

The CIAC fees will continue to be paid prior to application for the building permit - that process has not changed at this time.  

CONTRACTORS NEWSFLASH

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Water and Sewer Locates Review

March 12, 2019

In an effort to streamline the overall permitting process, the review for water and sewer locates will be determined through the Building Permit Application process, eliminating the need for submission prior to making application for water/sewer.

Effective March 18^th

A separate site plan identified as 'locates' will be submitted with the building permit package. 

Water and sewer locates will be marked and available online when the permit is issued.  https://www.palmcoastgov.com/eplanreview 

Facts:

• Revisions will not be required if the riser diagram does not match the locate site plan.

• The plumbing and electrical riser diagrams are not required to be specific to the location of the water and sewer locates.

• A revision to a site plan will not require a new site plan to be submitted for locates.