Building Permitting FAQs

General questions, detailed answers, and relevant sources.

When to consider a building permit for installation inspection?

Under multiple units for installation and non-standard units.

As part of our service, we help customers building document packages, backing up the security and functionality of our products, and installation, which the user can also opt to submit for insurance reductions and other purposes once approved.

You must consider building permitting for commercial, high building installations, and full residential covering under a homeowners' association residence, for the installation of a large amount of units, or for non-standard units or projects.

Homeowners' Associations:

You must always ask for permitting approval to the HOA for visible changes in front of the property, and structural changes in the exterior of the property to avoid the risk of breaking the HOAs jurisdiction., and most important that you comply with product specifications, as most HOAs attach to.

Building permitting:

Storm Panels do not require building permitting.
For single and standard units, there is no need for a building permit on hurricane shutters.
For Terrace Closeups, you will only need building permitting if there is need of using concrete, to create a floor so that the units can be attached to the exterior section of the wall or columns.
For big projects, you would rather get a building permit if the HOA demands it (Projects Over $5000.00).
- Insurance will only need the Notice of Acceptance, which certifies the product, and pictures of the products, and the manufacturing stickers on the products,

What is a city or building permit?

Building permits, commonly known as city permits, are written authorizations issued by the building office from a city or county in order to perform a project related to structural changes in a property.
Building permits are required for construction or remodeling projects in order to ensure the safety of the project and its compliance (Florida Building Code).
The building permits are mostly applied for external changes or structural additions within a property to assure the quality and material of the installation for the desired purpose.

Do you submit building permits?

Yes. However, our expertise is to advise all customers, as the property owners, on submitting the paperwork or ask a property owner listed on the corresponding county property appraiser, to facilitate on submitting it.

Submitting as the owner will save time on approval, and increase the flexibility on paperwork. At the same time, we will bring you all the paperwork needed for your project in order to submit it to the respective online city portal or office building or help you submit it online. This way, you will only have to clear the city fees. You can contact your city to ask about a fee estimate for a "hurricane shutters, structural addition", submitted as the owner. Contact your representative to ask on the net project square footage estimation (net sq ft).

Check if you are exempt of issuing a building permit.

On the other hand, if we do it as a company on your behalf, likely for commercial use, we take care of the whole dealing process for $500.00 that are charged apart from the project, as a company, our general contractor, a notary, and a mediator expert will manage this process in order to get your project approved.

All you do is:
- Sign in the necessary paperwork.
- Assist at the notary once asked, as paperwork must be notarized for submission.
- Have all requested paperwork and the given document package ready on the inspection date.
- Wait for updates, as we deal in the whole process with the city and submit documents physically when needed and when requested.
- Clear the building permit fees (Fees vary in all cities).
Such process is an addition to the contract of the project issued.
If the establishment's owner decides to make any permit requested by the city on their own means, we will provide any required documents for its completion.
The process we facilitate, and all issuing fees charged by the city, are invoiced apart from the installation and manufacturing directly from the city to the owner.
The amount depends on the city where the establishment is located, and the fees the city charges must be clear by the owner to the city.

If your establishment is within a homeowner association jurisdiction, please contact them to ask about the city/building permit.

Is it necessary to issue a building permit for hurricane protection products?

Yes, we advise on getting all necessary and requested permitting your HOA requires.

As the property's homeowner, we can help you submit all paperwork for free by providing you all paperwork (Likely Residential).
Or, we can do all transactions on your behalf by a $500.00 fee + building office fee (Likely Commercial).

However, it still remains your decision.

Have into count the following:

HPS & Blinds personnel will always follow the Florida Building Code rules for installing hurricane protection product units, as they are a permanent addition to an opening structure, such as a window, door, or other that apply.

Permits ensure that construction projects adhere to building codes and standards, guaranteeing the structural integrity and safety of the building. Skipping permits, under non-professional and inexperienced personnel, will lead to substandard workmanship, jeopardizing the quality of the project and potentially causing safety hazards or structural issues in the future.

Under a homeowner association jurisdiction:
- Many associations, such as homeowners' associations (HOAs) or community associations, have specific rules and regulations regarding construction projects within their jurisdiction. Not obtaining the necessary permits can violate these rules, leading to fines, penalties, or legal action by the association against the contractor or homeowner.
- Such jurisdictions can lead to stop or postpone the installation process until clearing fines and obtaining the necessary permitting, requested by the respective HOA.
- HOAs cannot stop you from protecting against hurricane winds, nor being burdensome, and additionally it is unlawful to prohibit it. However, you must install under their rules, such as matching colors, and be opened to alterations to comply to their visual standards.
  - We compromise to accomplish those standards, giving a clear look to your property an any type of jurisdiction.
Insurance policies:
- Insurance polices often require compliance with local building codes and regulations, to make sure your products are up for high level storms or natural disasters.
  - Insurance companies, just require pictures previous and after the installation, the certificate of your products (your product units' label), plus the Notice of Acceptance, a public record located at Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which we provide on the final package we give once the installation is done and the final inspection is approved.
  - All our products are correctly labeled and approved by the Florida Building Code and regulations, and NAMI tested.
Delay and Disruption:
- Without permits, construction work can be halted or delayed by the local authorities, where sanctions may apply inside HOAs, if stated upon their ARC form. and rules.

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