POST-STORM PERMITTING GUIDE


LINKS & RESOURCES

 

City of Bonita Springs City Hall

9101 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 949-6262

-Visit www.cityofbonitasprings.org for flood protection information or public notices

Community Development Department (Building Department)

9220 Bonita Beach Rd SE #111, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 444-6150

     -Visit www.cityofbonitaspringscd.org for permitting forms, fees and procedures

     -Permit Inquiries - [email protected] or
     (239) 444-6150

     -Flood Inquiries - [email protected] or
     (239) 444-6150

City of Bonita Springs Flood Hazard Reduction Program information

-Flood Hazard Reduction - Bonita Springs City Code Chapter 24

-Local Florida Building Code Amendments - Bonita Springs City Code Section 10-22

Neighborhood Services (Code Enforcement) – Report unlicensed or unpermitted work

26876 Pine Ave, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 949-6257

-Visit Bonita Springs Neighborhood Services

 

This guide serves to provide property owners, contractors, and residents with essential information and guidance for obtaining permits and rebuilding following a storm event, in accordance with Florida Senate Bill 180. The goal of the guide is to support expedited recovery and resilience within the City of Bonita Springs following a storm event.

EXPEDITED PERMITS AND FEE ADJUSTMENTS

Permits for storm related repairs and restoration will have priority over non-storm related inspections and permitting.

The Community Development Department staff will prioritize all applications related to recovery of storm damage. When the need arises, the City is prepared to activate alternate physical permit locations post-event where documents can be obtained and permits can be submitted. Potential locations will be considered based on the magnitude of the event, the location of impacted areas, and other conditions.

As done in the past, the City may also choose to reduce or waive permit fees for storm related repairs following a significant storm event, if adopted by City Council Resolution. Fee waivers apply exclusively to plan review/permitting fees and does not include other fees such as recording of Notice of Commencements Non-conversion Agreements or reinspection fees.

PERMIT LOCATIONS:

• Community Development Department 9220 Bonita Beach Rd, Suite 111, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 444-6150

• Online Permit Portal

• Any locations that may be activated and communicated by the City post-storm. 

 

COMMON POST-STORM ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT
Permits are required for post-storm activities and work, failure to obtain required permits is a violation of the Florida Building Code and Bonita Springs City Code, even if you intend to perform the work yourself. Recovery permits including, but not limited to:

  • All work within the Special Flood Hazard Areas
    • Restoration permit applications, which cover all repairs or reconstruction needed to restore a building back to its legally permitted pre-damaged condition, including work that is outside of the scope of the Florida Building Code
  • Temporary Housing for living in RV’s and Travel Trailers

  • Roof replacements or substantial repairs
  • Demolition and new construction
  • Structural work/repairs 
  • Electrical reconnections and meter resets 
  • HVAC replacement
  • Substantial repairs or replacement to docks and seawalls
  • Replacing accessory structures (detached garages, sheds, carports, fences)
  • Building Permit Fee Schedule is available at: Building Permit Fee Schedule

 

COMMON ACTIVITIES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT

The following activities do not require a permit:

  • Cleaning
  • Temporarily securing a building (such as plywood over broken windows or doors, temporarily securing damaged walls, disconnection of damaged equipment, etc.)
  • Work performed to prevent further damage or deterioration, such as removal of wet drywall and carpet
  • Fence repairs (not replacement)
  • Rescreening of enclosures (does not include structural aluminum work/framing)

FLOODPLAIN CONSIDERATIONS

For questions about the restoration permit process, flood regulations, flood zone determinations and elevation information please contact [email protected] or (239) 444-6150.

Elevation requirements

  • Elevation requirements are site and flood zone specific.For a customized report, please contact [email protected] or (239) 444-6150.
  • In general, for residential properties - elevations must comply with the Florida Building Code and ASCE 24 which requires construction to be one foot higher than the base flood elevation.

All repairs and rebuilding in flood zones must be permitted and must comply with:

Substantial Damage (SD) and Substantial Improvement (SI) - 50% Rule

If you live in a flood hazard area and your home was damaged during a storm event, your structure may be assessed for Substantial Damage prior to permitting. You may proactively schedule an appointment for this review by contacting (239) 444-6150 or emailing [email protected].

All applications for work located in flood zones are reviewed for compliance with Substantial Damage and Substantial Improvement regulations (aka the 50% rule), as required by Federal Regulations, the Florida Building Code and Bonita Springs City Code Chapter 24. Our failure to enforce these regulations will jeopardize our participation in the NFIP program which could result in losing eligibility for flood insurance, disaster assistance, federally backed loans and grants for all Bonita Springs citizens.

In summary, repairs and improvements to buildings in flood zones may be authorized when the total sum of repairs (labor, materials, overhead and profit) does not equal or exceed 50% of the pre-damaged value of the building only.  Work that equals or exceeds the 50% threshold requires the building to be brought into full compliance with all current flood code requirements. Building values are provided for most structures by the Lee County Property Appraiser.  Should you disagree with the valuation provided by their office you may submit a private appraisal report reflecting the depreciated replacement value of the building exclusively.

Flow chart for permitting

POST-STORM PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Complete a Restoration Permit application or other applicable application and follow the included instructions. Restoration applications must include the full scope of work to fully restore the structure back to its pre-damaged condition.
  2. Complete all forms that are included, as needed.
    1. Owner-builder Affidavit, required for all owner-builder permits.
      1. Properties that are used for rentals or are owned by LLCs or Corporations are not eligible for owner-builder applications; a licensed contractor is required.
    2. Notice of Commencement (if required by the total project value).
    3. Cost of Improvements Form if located in a flood zone.
  3. Include documentation with the permit application.
    1. Required – Floorplan showing interior layout (can be hand-drawn if legible)
    2. Required - Photographs of damaged and non-damaged area, interior and exterior
    3. Required – For replacement of windows and exterior doors, must show location of replacements on the floor plan and provide the Florida Product Approval Number or Notice of Acceptance Number
    4. Required - For relocated or elevated exterior equipment (such as a/c equipment or generators) or replacement decks and stairs a site plan showing the building, scope of work and distance to the property boundary (can be hand-drawn if legible)
    5. Survey (optional), if available
    6. Elevation certificate (optional), if available
  4. Submit the permit application, forms, and all documentation to Bonita Springs Community Development (Building Department) for review
    1. 9220 Bonita Beach Rd, Suite 111, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
    2. Online Permit Portal
    3. Any locations that may be activated and communicated by the City post-storm
  5. Monitor the status of your application.
    1. Once an application is submitted, it can be tracked via the online permit portal
      1. https://egweb1.cityofbonitasprings.org/energov/selfservice#/home
    2. Applicants are notified by email after reviews have been completed, if additional information is required and when permit has been approved for issuance.
      1. Note:Email notifications are sent to the applicant or licensed contractor.
      2. Email notifications are sent from [email protected] and we recommend that you monitor your spam folders.
    3. If additional information is required, submit the requested corrected or missing information for review.
    4. Approved applications require payment of any applicable fees before issuance of the permit. Fees may be paid at the permit office or via the online permit portal.
  6. Inspections.
    1. Inspections are required and are determined by the scope of work being performed.
    2. Inspections may be scheduled by phone or via the online permit portal.
      1. Phone: (239) 444-6170 Requests received by noon are scheduled for the next business day
      2. Online: https://egweb1.cityofbonitasprings.org/energov/selfservice#/home Requests submitted prior to 4pm are scheduled for the next business day