Florida's Private Provider Rules

A comprehensive guide to Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, governing the alternative plan review and inspection process for construction projects in Florida.

Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, which sets out Florida's private provider rules, authorizes property owners to utilize private providers for building-code inspection and plan review services.

The statute creates an alternative process through which eligible owners and contractors may use qualified private providers for plan review, inspections, or both, subject to statutory requirements and local-government oversight.

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Key Legal Requirements & Responsibilities

Understand who qualifies, what projects are covered, and the roles and responsibilities defined under Florida law.

Who Qualifies

Private providers must hold one of the licenses identified in the statute. Inspections and plan reviews must be performed within the disciplines covered by the provider's or representative's applicable license or certification.

Project Types

A private provider can be used on any project in Florida that requires a building permit, residential or commercial, including new construction, additions, renovations, and single-trade work.

Owner's Rights

State law allows the fee owner or the authorized contractor to elect a qualified private provider, subject to the statute's requirements.

Building Department Role

The local department retains permitting, registration, and audit authority, but since HB 803 (2026) its review of provider-approved plans is limited to completeness and non-code items such as local ordinances and floodplain rules.

Insurance & Liability

Private providers must maintain specific professional liability insurance coverage levels, and the local government is immune from liability for their actions.

Threshold Buildings

Threshold buildings (more than 3 stories or 50 feet tall, or assembly occupancies over 5,000 square feet with an occupant content over 500) require a separate threshold inspection program by a special inspector. Threshold inspection and private provider services are two different things.

Everything You Need in One Place

Quickly navigate through important legal resources, from core laws to local building requirements.

01

Florida Statute 553.791

The core statute governing private provider operations.

Learn More ↗02

Threshold

Inspection requirements for threshold buildings, which include some low-rise assembly buildings.

Learn More ↗03

Required Documentation

Standardized documents for legal compliance.

Learn More ↗04

Jurisdictions

Local building department roles and responsibilities.

Learn More ↗

A Timeline of Legal Progress

How Florida law has given owners the flexibility to coordinate plan review and inspections, which can create efficiencies during construction.

Inception

Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, was created by Chapter 2002-293, giving fee owners the option to use a licensed private provider for building-code plan review and inspections.

Checked against the 2026 text of Section 553.791, Florida Statutes

This guide is a plain-language educational summary, not legal advice. Statutory details change, so always confirm against the current text of Section 553.791, Florida Statutes and your local jurisdiction's requirements. Updated for HB 803 (Chapter 2026-63), effective July 1, 2026.

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