Bradford County
Department of Building & Zoning
945-F North Temple Ave, Starke FL 32091

Generally, the building inspector will need to inspect all aspects of the work before it is covered or concealed from view. These inspections are done to assure that the work has been done to a minimum safety standard and that is complies with the approved plans for the project.

The inspector's phone number is recorded on the issued permit.

You can call the Building Department office (904) 966-6223 or (904) 966-6213. They will tell you how you can come into the office to feel out the form necessary.

Call the Building Department and have the name of the contractor that you would like the information on. If he/she has yet to become licensed in our County that does not mean that they are not a State License Contractor you can call the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (D.B.P.R.) at (352) 333-2866. You can also verify State Contractor Licenses and complaints by going to myfloridalicense.com.

An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned six months after the date of filing for the permit, unless before then an inspection has been done. One or more extensions of time for periods of not more than 90 days each may be allowed by the building official for the application, provided the extension is requested in writing and justifiable cause is demonstrated.

No Permit is required to put up a fence.

You will need to call the Department of Forestry at 904-964-2461

Two complete sets (all disciplines) of plans, drawings and specifications together with the building permit application packet.

Residential plan review turn-around time is same day. Commercial plan review turn-around time is 5-10 working days.

You can call for an inspection at any time, if the office is closed you will need to leave a message with your name, building permit number, and a phone number where you can reached. Your inspection will take place as soon as possible the next inspection day. You will also have to call to cancel an inspection. To get the result of an inspection Copy of a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion The Number to call for all Permit Inspections is (904) 966-6223 or (904) 966-6213.

Prior to any inspection being performed, the permit and the notice of commencement must be posted on the job site, along with a copy of the approved building plans. Construction documents must be available on the job site and maintained in a weatherproof container and must be legible.

The Bradford County Environmental Health Department number is (904) 964-5853

If you are a State Certified License Contractor you need: Construction License that is current Proof of workers compensation insurance or exemption Proof of General Liability. If you are a State Registered License Contractor you need: A letter of Reciprocity from the County the you took your test through, you must have also taken the Business and Law test, making a 75% or better on both Construction License that is current Proof of workers compensation insurance or exemption Proof of General Liability.

The cost is based on a variety of factors; depending of the type of work being done, square footage of the work or the contract price of the work. The minimum cost for a permit is $50.

A Notice of Commencement is required for any permitted work in excess of $2,500 for all work with the exception of mechanical, which is in excess of $5,000.

The Building and Zoning Departments are open for Business from 7 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday, except on Holidays.

A building permit is required by law and is intended to control the quality of construction and the use of property to ensure that the County of Bradford continues to be a safe and beautiful place to live, work, and raise a family. Most projects begin with a plan review before a permit is issued. Many potential problems are discovered at this stage and are resolved before the project even begins. This saves unnecessary construction delays, time, and money. When you obtain a building permit, you have the comfort of knowing that your project is being reviewed and inspected by qualified personnel who are trained and experienced in this line of work.

A building permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structures to your property or for work regulated by local codes or ordinances, such as: New Buildings, Additions: room additions, patio covers, swimming pools, etc., Alterations: re-roof, garage conversions, etc., Repairs: replacement of water heaters or other plumbing fixtures, a/c units, new electrical service, rewiring, etc. Moving or demolishing a building Change of use of structure Installation of heating equipment, such as central heat, wood stoves, wall heaters, and wood burning stoves or gas fireplaces.

The owner is responsible. It is up to the owner to ensure that the contractor obtains his own permit. This permit makes the contractor legally responsible for their portion of the work. If you hire a contractor, it is your responsibility to ensure that the contractor is licensed and insured. Always ask to see the permit for your project. If no permit is obtained, you (the owner) are legally responsible. The status of a contractor's license can be verified with the Building Department at (904) 966-6223 or (904) 966-6213.

Inspections are performed from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday. Your plans and permit must be at the construction site and the address properly posted and visible from the street.

It is the owner's responsibility to obtain insurance for all those on the job except licensed contractors. Check with your insurance agent.

If you plan to do the work, you are required to live on that property or live there once the building is completed.

The following types of permits can be filled through the Building Department at 945-F North Temple Avenue (County Courthouse) between 7:30 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Most Building Departments reviews will be completed in one day. Residential Property: New Residential, One story additions less than 1,000 square feet, Accessory structures less than 1,000 square feet, Sheds, carports, garages, Pools and spas, Screened porches, patios, enclosures, Plant houses and shade houses, Revisions to permitted plans, Lost plans, Barns and stables. Commercial Property: Minor repairs, repairs, remodeling and alterations costing less than $100,000, excluding restaurants and dry cleaning establishments or other uses which involve expanding plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems, New Commercial Exterior Signs, Renewals and revisions (change of contractor and minor plan changes) Lost plans, Barns and stables, Pools and spas.

Bradford County no longer issues Occupation License, the Ordinance Repealing Occupational License is Ordinance Number 95-04.

The Building Department does not issue pond permits, you will need to find out which water management district you are in and than call them. They are: Suwannee River Water Management: (800)226-1066 www.srwmd.state.fl.us and St. Johns River Water Management: (386)329-4500 sjr.state.fl.us

Ordinance Number 96-07 adopted the current Land Development Regulations (LDR) on July 1, 1996.

Variance means a relaxation of the terms of these land development regulations where such variance will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of the actions of the applicant, a literal enforcement of these land development regulations would result in unnecessary and undue hardship.

Special Exception means a use that would not be appropriate generally or without restriction throughout a zoning district but which, if controlled as to number, area, location, or relation to the neighborhood, would promote the public health, safety, welfare, morals, order, comfort, convenience, appearance, prosperity, or the general welfare.

This information can be found from the Property Search page by parcel number of owner's last name.

This information is according to your zoning classification; once you acquire the zoning from the property search screen you can access the Land Development Regulations (LDR) for each zoning classifications setback requirements.

Horses are permitted use on property that is zoned AG-1, AG-2 or RR. Horses would be allowed ONLY by special exception on property zoned RSF-1, RSF-MH-1 or RMH-1.

Subdivision is the division of a parcel of land, whether improved or unimproved, into three (3) or more lots or parcels of land, for the purpose, where immediate or future, of transfer of ownership, whether by deed, metes and bounds description, devise, lease, map, plat or other recorded instrument or if the establishment of a new street is involved, any division of such parcel. The term shall not mean the division of land into parcels of more than ten (10) acres not involving any change in street lines; the transfer of property by sale or gift or testate succession by the property owner to his or her spouse or lineal descendants; the transfer of property between tenants in common for the purpose of dissolving the tenancy in common among those tenants. The term includes a resubdivision and, when appropriate to the context, relates to the process of subdividing or to the land subdivided.

Minor subdivision means any subdivision containing not more than nine (9) lots, and not requiring any new street or extension of the local government facilities, or the creation of any public improvements, except where otherwise specifically exempted from requirements of these land development regulations (LDR).

Major subdivision means any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision, including subdivision of more than nine (9) lots, or any size subdivision requiring any new street or extension of the local governmental facilities, or the creation of any public improvements, except where otherwise specifically exempted from the requirements of these land development regulations (LDR).

They are Article five (5) of our Land Developments Regulations (LDR).

To provide Regulations with the general objective of promoting desirable living conditions and to encourage the most appropriate use of land for orderly growth and development.

Lot area coverage means the percentage of lot area covered or occupied by buildings, including accessory buildings.

When a person is a full-time permanent resident of a dwelling and engages in certain types of professions under limited conditions as defined by the Land Development Regulations (LDR).

Each classification establishes criteria for land use and associated regulations governing development of such uses.

911 mapping and addressing which can be reached at 904-966-6179

A land use that does not comply with the currently assigned zoning classification.

No non-conforming use shall be enlarged, increased, intensified or extended to occupy a greater area of land than was occupied on the date of adoption of the County's Land Development Regulations.

A structure that does not meet currently applicable zoning classification and setbacks.

No non-conforming structure may be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its structural square footage.

Distance from property lines which define the area in which structures and/or parking may be constructed.

A single-family dwelling shall contain only one (1) kitchen. A duplex has two living units containing independent kitchen facilities.