Broward County: Recertification Process

In 2005, the 40+ Year Building Safety Program was established, and is now implemented throughout Broward County. This program, modeled after the Miami-Dade County Building Safety Program that has been in place since the 1970s, requires that all buildings that are 40 years old undergo a structural and electrical safety inspection. Additionally, after this first Recertification Process the procedure must be performed every ten years thereafter.

The Building Recertification Program has been subject to recent changes due to the collapse of Champlain Towers located in Miami Dade County. Miami Dade County, specifically, has made this program stronger by reducing the inspection cycle from 40 to 30 years, and adding the 25 year milestone.

This article will serve to guide you step by step on the Building Recertification Process of Broward County.

Building Recertification Process

Building owners, condominium and cooperative associations, and managers of buildings which are covered by the program, such as: Condominiums, Cooperative Apartments, Commercial, Industrial, Retail, Office, etc., will receive a letter from Broward County indicating that the property they manage is due to receive a recertification inspection.

Property owners or representatives will look for a certified professional architect or professional engineer. Additionally, be aware that threshold buildings (4 stories and up, or more than 50 feet in height) will have to be inspected by a certified structural engineer. For the electrical portion of the recertification, a certified professional electrical engineer will need to be contacted as well. Here at Eastern Engineering Group, we can provide both inspections, and we have broad experience with this type of service in Broward County and Miami Dade County.

Building Recertification Portal

Unlike Miami Dade County, Broward County requires reports to be submitted in person, 2 copies of each discipline.

1.  Please take 2 copies of each report to the building department at 2307 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

2.  A $350.00 review processing fee will be charged to Unincorporated Broward County.

3.  If the building is found to be safe after reviewing the report, the building does not need to undergo another security inspection for 10 years. If the report indicates structural or electrical defects, the owner has 180 days from the date of the report to obtain the necessary permits and make the necessary repairs.

4. If the 40-year building security program affects your property, you will receive a certificate detailing what you need to do.Following this link, users can access the list of all properties due for certification by 2019 – 2022 Code Appeals Broward County Building Safety Inspection Program

If you get a notice of violation, read the notice thoroughly to find out what the violation was, go ahead and proceed with the repairs immediately. In case that additional time is required to close the violation, this could be granted if the violations are being remedied. Certain deficiencies are serious, and reparation should not be delayed. Failure to take proper action to correct the issue can have further consequences. In case that legal action is required, your case can be transferred to a public hearing, and you will have to appear before the Broward County Law Enforcement Special Magistrate to present your case. The ad hoc magistrate has the power to issue orders requiring compliance with the regulatory code and can impose daily penalties until the violation is assessed, resulting in your property being mortgaged. Law Enforcement Officers can possibly issue non-criminal subpoenas to enforce fines for existing or uncorrected violations. Penalties range from $50 to $250 for the first violation and $100 to $500 for repeat offenses. 

Ultimately, Broward County has designed a very environment to lead all county residents to complete the 25 year milestone, 40-year, and 10-years thereafter certifications. Now properties will be regularly inspected to assess they are structurally/electrically sound and safe for its continued use and occupancy. Here at Eastern Engineering we are committed to guide our customers through the recertification process and serve them with high quality work. Call us now!