Approval by the Planning Department is required for all development prior to the submittal of a building permit application. Development approval shall not occur without the approval of a Land Use Application Certificate or other required departmental application forms. Application for certain development permits shall be made to the Planning Department and may be acted upon by the Department without the need for public meetings or hearings or other public noticing requirements. Approvals for Land Use Application Certificates may be approved at the staff department level for agricultural, limited types of nonresidential development or residential-related development.

1.

To receive an address assignment, following planning review and approval, an Applicant must be constructing, installing, or moving a building or structure onto a parcel of property.

2.

An applicant may submit the address application and driveway permit application with a Land Use Application. The County Public Works Department will coordinate with the applicant to determine if a driveway permit is necessary, per Section 10.06.03, Land Development Code.

3.

Following Land Use Application and E911 Address Application approval, an applicant may submit an application for a septic tank with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the applicant may then submit a building permit application to the County Building Department.

4.

Once an applicant receives approval from the Planning, E911 Addressing, Public Works Departments, and approval from the Department of Environmental Protection, the applicant may then submit a building permit application to the County Building Department.

(Ord. No. 2023-16, § 1(Exh. A), 12-14-2023; Ord. No. 2026-01, § 1(Exh. A), 1-15-2026)

A.

Generally. The erection, alteration, or reconstruction of any building or structure, including signs, shall not be commenced without obtaining a Building Permit from the Building Department. No Building Permit shall be issued for development without written certification that plans submitted conform to applicable regulations. The erection, alteration, reconstruction, or conversion of any sign shall not be commenced without obtaining a Sign Permit where applicable.

B.

Time limitation of Building Permits.

1.

Building Permits shall expire and become null and void if work authorized by such permits is not commenced, having called for and received a satisfactory inspection, within six (6) months from the date of issuance of the permit, or if the work is not completed within one (1) year from the date of issuance of the Building Permit, except that the time may be extended by the Building Official, subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 4.01.03 if any of the following occur:

a.

A time schedule has been submitted and approved by the Building Official, predicated upon customary time for construction of similar buildings, prior to the issuance of the Building Permit, indicating completion of construction in excess of one (1) year; or

b.

The developer furnishes the Building Official satisfactory evidence in writing that the delay is due to the unavailability of construction supplies or materials, and every effort has been made to obtain substitute materials equal to those called for in specifications; or

c.

The delay is due to delay in delivery of construction supplies or materials: or

d.

The delay is due to fire, weather conditions, civil commotion, or strike or due directly or indirectly to pendency of judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding.

Increased cost of building materials or supplies or financial hardship shall not be considered by the Building Official as cause for continuation of the Building Permit. However, the Building Official may grant an extension of the Building Permit at the Building Official's discretion.

2.

In order to continue construction once a Building Permit becomes null and void or expires, the permittee shall reapply and obtain a new Building Permit covering the proposed construction before proceeding with construction. The permittee shall comply with all regulations in existence at the time application is made for a new Building Permit.

3.

Except as provided in Section 1.08.00, any Building Permit issued prior to the effective date of this Code shall expire and become null and void eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance thereof unless construction is delayed for reasons enumerated in Section 10.06.02(B)(1), and the contractor so notifies the Building Official in writing in accordance with section 10.06.02(B)(1) provided a schedule maybe submitted for approval within thirty (30) days from the effective date of this Code for any construction presently underway requiring in excess of eighteen (18) months to complete.

4.

Signs must be placed within six (6) months of obtaining the permit or the permit is voided, and a new permit must be issued unless the permit is extended by the Building Official. Final inspection must be called for by the applicant within the six-month time period, or the permit is voided. Identification numbers issued with Sign Permits must be displayed on the sign itself. Sign permits need not be renewed as long as the sign exists in its approved form in the same location.

5.

Real estate signs must meet the requirements of Section 7.04.12, Land Development Code.

(Ord. No. 2023-16, § 1(Exh. A), 12-14-2023; Ord. No. 2026-01, § 1(Exh. A), 1-15-2026)

A.

Generally. Any person seeking to construct or reconstruct any curb cut or driveway on any County maintained public road or connect any roadway (public or private) to a County maintained public roadway within Washington County shall submit a permit application to the County Public Works Department.

B.

Contents. The permit application shall be submitted to the Public Works Department and include the following information:

1.

Name and address of the owner of the property on which the driveway is proposed to be located.

2.

Except for one- and two-family residences, a set of detailed plans for the proposed driveway or curb cut (including the site development plan if applicable).

3.

Except for one- and two-family residences, estimated cost of the alteration.

4.

Approval from the Florida Department of Transportation if applicable.

5.

Payment of the applicable fee.

6.

All other information deemed necessary by the Public Works Department for the reasonable review of the proposed driveway and/or roadway connection.

C.

Procedure for Review of Driveway Permit replications. The permit for said driveway and/or roadway connection shall be reviewed in accordance with the Washington County Board of County Commissioners Operational Policy Manual and the policies and procedures of the Washington County Public Works Department.

(Ord. No. 2023-16, § 1(Exh. A), 12-14-2023; Ord. No. 2026-01, § 1(Exh. A), 1-15-2026)

A.

Generally. Temporary uses and structures are permitted subject to the standards hereinafter established provided that a permit for such use or structure is obtained from the Planning Department. Temporary real estate sales offices and construction trailers located on the same parcel as the development may be approved as part of a Building Permit application. Temporary sales offices in new subdivisions must comply with the Standard Building Code and the parking area must comply with the landscaping regulations of this Code. One (1) or more construction trailers may only be permitted for a specified period of time provided they are located off the public right-of-way. Construction trailers are not required to comply with Building Code requirements. However, the building must provide reasonable safety for the intended use and additional permits for electrical or plumbing shall be obtained as necessary to. serve the temporary building.

B.

Permissible Temporary Uses and Structures. Permissible temporary uses and structures requiring a Temporary Use Permit include the following:

1.

Indoor and outdoor art and craft shows, bazaars, carnivals, revivals, circuses, sports events, and exhibits provided that no more than six (6) events of a maximum of five (5) days each are conducted on the same property during any calendar year.

2.

Christmas tree sales provided that no such use shall exceed sixty (60) days.

3.

Other temporary uses and structures which are, in the opinion of the Development Administrator, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the provisions of this Code.

(Ord. No. 2023-16, § 1(Exh. A), 12-14-2023)