Question
When do plans for building permits have to be signed and sealed by a Florida registered architect or engineer?
Answer
Essentially any time an architect or engineer is required by law to submit documents for the record, they must be sealed by the architect or engineer. This includes, but is not limited to construction drawings, letters and other supporting documents. The following is excerpted for your reference from Chapter 1 of the Florida Building Code.
Florida Building Code 106.1 Submittal Documents
"Construction documents, a statement of special inspections and other data shall be submitted in one or more sets with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by Chapter 471, Florida Statutes or Chapter 481, Florida Statutes. Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
Exception: The building official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code."
For More Information
More information is available at
Florida Legislature Website. (F.S. § 471 and 481)