These are frequently asked questions of the City of Naples Building department. If you don't see your question here, or you need a further explanation of an answer, please feel free to call us at 239-213-5020.
 1) Where can I find information on Fault Requirements?
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 2) What building codes are in effect for the City of Naples?
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- Code of Ordinances, City of Naples, Florida as adopted and effective June 2006
- Electric – NFPA 70/NEC 2008
- Fire - Florida Fire Prevention Code 2007 Edition
- Plumbing - Florida Building Code (Building) 2007 w/Supplement
- Mechanical - (HVAC) Florida Building Code (Building) 2007 w/Supplement
- Structural - Florida Building Code (Building & Residential) 2007 w/Supplement
- Structural - Florida Building Code (Existing Building 2007) w/Supplement
- Fuel/Gas - Florida Building Code (Building) 2007 w/Supplement
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 3) Can I dispose of construction material in the trash? What about furniture and appliances?
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Sec. 54-35. of the Code of Ordinances, Disposal of residential and commercial nonresidential household goods, says that all residential and commercial nonresidential household goods such as furniture and appliances shall be placed at curbside to be removed by the city on specific dates established by the director of public works or his designee. Items may be placed curbside for pickup no sooner than 24 hours prior to pickup. Customers must prearrange pickup with the solid waste division no later than 48 hours prior to pickup. The schedule may be established by phone contact to the Solid Waste Division at 213-4700. Items must be incidental and not a part of remodeling, reconstruction, or renovation.
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 4) How should I assemble the plans required for a building permit?
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When applying for a building permit, it is always helpful to have your plans properly assembled before coming into submit for the permit. Here is a list of detailed instructions on how your plans should be assembled:
- We require two sets of plans. If your plans are less than three pages per set, they need to be folded together with any and all attachments stapled on the left hand side.
- If your plans are more than three pages they need to be rolled together, with the print facing outward. Again, any and all attachments must be stapled on the left hand side.
- In regard to your attachments, they should be staggered down the left hand side of your plans with the Energy Calculations and Construction Site Management Plan on top and easy to remove.
- Your Permanent Site Drainage and Construction Site Management Plans should be fairly visible and easy to turn to.
- Only one copy of the permit application, water meter sizing chart, driveway permit application and Notice of Commencement is required.
For any additional questions or concerns please call us at 213-5020.
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 5) When do I need a permit?
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Although a building permit is required for most construction related work, various improvements of real property may not require a Building Permit. The work exempted must still be constructed in accordance with minimum code standards. In addition as required by Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit.
Items Not Requiring A Permit
- Replace Window A/C unit, electrical existing
- Ceiling Fan - Replacement using existing outlet box and wiring
- Ceramic Tile - Floor and Wall
- Appliance - Replacement Residential
- Door - Replace any interior residential door within the individual unit
- Plumbing Fixture Replacement
- Drywall Repairs (Residential, Non-Fire Related, small areas - not to exceed two sheets of drywall)
- Window Repair
- Gutters and Leaders
- Heating Unit - Repair
- Carpet Installation
- Painting/Wallpaper
- Playground equipment - Residential only
- A/C Repair
- Water Heaters - Replacement of existing electric water heaters used in residential applications. Changes from original installation will require a permit.
If you have any questions, just ask. If you don't need a permit, we'll be happy to let you know. In the event of a conflict between this document and a specific rule or regulation, all applicable codes shall apply.
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 6) Do you have any helpful hints for permitting?
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- Notices of Commencement must be recorded at Collier County Clerk of Courts.
- No building (structural) inspections will be made until all sub-cards have been issued, so send your subs down A.S.A.P
- When anticipating a Certificate of Occupancy, contractors should always call to verify that requirements on the address have been completed before coming in to get their C.O.
- For all new permits and permits that are adding or altering bathrooms, a water meter-sizing chart should be submitted with the permit package.
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 7) Do pool heaters require a permit?
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In response to several recent inquiries, the City of Naples does require a permit and inspection of a replacement pool heater. This includes gas heater, heat pumps and solar systems.
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 8) Where can I get information about installing backflow devices?
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Questions regarding the installation of commercial backflow devices should be directed to Utilities at 213-4773, they will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
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 9) How can a general contractor make sure everything meets the flood level requirements?
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Be sure to inform all of your subcontractors of what the flood level of your job site is (i.e. N.A.V.D.). Often, water heaters, electrical devices and air conditioners are installed below Flood simply because of a lack of communication between the job superintendent and the subcontractors.
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 10) Do I need to fill out a water meter sizing chart?
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When performing any new construction or when altering or adding bathrooms a water meter-sizing chart must be submitted to the Engineering Department at time of permit submittal. Any upgrade or water meter fees must be paid to the Engineering Department before the building permit can be issued. Any water meter or back flow prevention questions should be directed to the Engineering Department located at 295 Riverside Cir or 213-5051.
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 11) What are the minimum requirements for a 450 inspection in residential construction?
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- Main service completely installed as per ON SITE City Approved Riser Drawing (Drawing must be on site for the 450 inspections)
- All Sub Panel (s) and sub panel (s) feeders will be installed and terminated
- All panels will be Labeled. (example - High Voltage, Danger High Voltage etc.)
- All panels will be Labeled. (example - panel A, B, main circuit breakers, main panels, etc.)
- All grounds will be terminated in panels
- All neutrals will be terminated in panels
- ONLY the CIRCUIT BREAKER (S) for the CONDENSING UNIT (S)unit /s and AIR HANDLER (S)) will be installed and connected using permanent installation wiring methods (NO TEMPORARY WIRING) including all disconnects, whips, etc., and all disconnects must be permanently labeled.
- NO other circuit breakers can be installed!
- NO other 240 volt or double pole circuit breakers (other than A/C circuit breakers) will be installed
- NO 120 volt or single pole circuit breakers will be installed
- All non terminated branch circuit current carrying conductors must be terminated with wire nuts.
- All panel covers must be installed, disconnect /s installed, all KOs, in panels, unused circuit breaker openings, and any other openings not listed here must be Blanked off in a NEC approved method.
- The 430 underground inspection must be made prior to the 450 inspection, or at the same time as the 450 inspection.
- 90% of the sheet rock must be installed.
Consequences' of Non Compliance
These Guide Lines have been drawn up as a compromise from past inspection procedures. This is an attempt to allow electrical contractors to power up AC equipment ONLY in new house construction after sheet rock is installed. The existing temporary power pole will remain in place to allow for 120 and 240 volt power for construction.
This is not a procedure to replace the temporary pole.
Spot inspections will be made to check compliance to these rules. ANY violation of the above list of requirements will result in removal of the house meter.
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 12) What is a Construction Site Management Plan?
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All building permits being submitted for plan review must include a Construction Site Management Plan. There is an application that must be accurately completed and attached to your plans. A site plan must also be submitted detailing the location of the various construction supplies (ex: dumpsters, fences, temporary toilets, temporary trailers, and parking). For minor interior commercial and multi-family alterations, this site plan is usually waived.
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 13) What is a site drainage plan and when do I need one?
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All new projects, major additions, and new swimming pools (with no coinciding construction) are required to submit a site drainage plan when submitting for their building permit. This plan will show the permanent drainage for the property after construction is completed, and will require steps to be performed in order to keep water from draining on to the neighbor's property.
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 14) What is the required wind load design speed for the City of Naples?
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140 miles per hour.
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 15) What are the requirements for temporary construction fencing?
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All construction sites are required to have a 6-foot chain link fence with windscreen. At the base of the chain link fence a silt screen fence is also required. On waterfront lots the construction fence on the waterside shall be only 3 foot high with windscreen and silt fence at the base. Only in commercial areas and the R1-15A area is the construction fence required on the front side of the property.
Before any permit for a new or major addition project can be issued, a Temporary Construction Fence permit must be issued and inspected. Also, before any permit for a complete or partial demolition can be issued, a Temporary Construction Fence permit must be issued and inspected. This requirement is retroactive; all permits that are currently in plan review will have to meet this requirement before the building permit can be issued.
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 16) What are the requirements for installing mechanical equipment (A/C, Pool Equipment or Generators) as required by Ordinance 56-41?
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The City of Naples Code of Ordinances, Section 56-41 affects HVAC contractors doing business in the City of Naples, as well as Pool Equipment and Permanent Home Generator installations.
New Homes or Additions Exceeding 50% of Assessed Value
All Mechanical Equipment installed with new construction or with additions or alterations exceeding 50% of the assessed value of the existing structure may NOT be located in a required yard regardless of the height or projection of the equipment.
All new and replaced Mechanical equipment must be screened from view to the full height of the equipment consistent with all applicable Fencing and landscaping requirements and manufacturer's specifications. Screening walls and Fences around replacement equipment may exceed the allowable height limitations provided the height is the minimum required to screen from view to the full height of the equipment and the projection into the required yard is the minimum encroachment necessary per manufacturer's specifications. Fences under 50 feet in length require no permit.
Existing Homes, Replacement Equipment or Additions Less Than 50% of Assessed Value
Air conditioning and pool equipment permitted and installed prior to the effective date of this ordinance may be maintained and replaced provided the new equipment does not encroach more than 36 inches into any required yard.
All new and replaced Mechanical equipment must be screened from view to the full height of the equipment consistent with all applicable Fencing and landscaping requirements and manufacturer's specifications. Screening walls and Fences around replacement equipment may exceed the allowable height limitations provided the height is the minimum required to screen from view to the full height of the equipment and the projection into the required yard is the minimum encroachment necessary per manufacturer's specifications. Fences under 50 feet in length need no permit.
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 17) Where can I find information on Wind Debris Zones for my property?
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1) Click here for Wind Debirs Zone Map
2) Please read Terms of Use
3) Click on Building Tab & select Vector Data (Wind Debris Zones)
4) Choose your interface (Google Earth, Web Application, ArcMap)
5) Please enter your address and then click locate
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 18) Where can I get information on new development stormwater requirements?
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 19) What are the fire sprinkler and alarm requirements for plan review?
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Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Plan Submittals:
- Multi-Family building plans for new construction and for additions/alterations must include a full set of fire sprinkler and fire alarm plans.
- The fire sprinkler plans must include submittal data on all heads, hangers, pipe and fittings; and hydraulic calculations. For new construction, underground detail including pipe, riser, fire department connection and PIV should be included.
- The fire alarm plans must include submittal data on all equipment, devices and wire; line loss and battery calculations; sequence of operations and riser diagram.
- If no fire alarm or fire sprinkler devices will be affected by the construction being permitted, you must note this on the permit application.
- Note: Work involving fire walls, tenant separation walls, floors, ceilings, kitchen and bathroom remodeling will require a structural fire wall inspection.
Fire Line Underground, Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Plan Submittals for all commercial construction:
- Building plans for new construction and for additions/alterations/renovations must include a full set of plans as follows:
- Fire line underground plans must include submittal data on all pipe, valves, backflow prevention devices, fire department connections, fire hydrants and PIVs.
- Fire alarm plans must include submittal data on all equipment, devices and wire; line loss and battery caculations; sequence of operations and riser diagram.
- The fire sprinkler plans must include submittal data on all heads, hangers, pipe and fittings; and hydraulic calculations.
- If no fire alarm or fire sprinkler devices will be affected by the construction being permitted, you must note this on the permit application.
- Work involving fire walls, tenant separation walls, floors, ceilings, kitchen and bathroom remodeling will require a structural fire wall inspection.
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 20) What are the requirments for structural fire separations?
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Fire Separation Inspections
All multi-family and commercial addition/alteration permits will list two required structural fire wall inspections:
184 Structural fire Wall
188 Structural fire Final
Structural fire walls can be one hour fire separations required between dwelling units and commercial tenants or two to four hour occupancy or building separations.
All multi-family dwellings and commercial tenant spaces require a one hour fire separation. This includes shared walls, and shared floor/ceilings.
Dwelling and tenant separation walls must be repaired or replaced during remodeling. Penetrations in the walls and floor/ceilings must be firestopped. Penetrations include shower/bath drains, pipes, and holes in general.
A consultation with a fire inspector can be requested if there are any questions about separations.
A 184 inspection should be called for when penetrations are firestopped, and before drywall is installed.
A 188 inspection should be called for when drywall is installed and finished.
All fire separations and penetration firestops must be constructed according to a UL or US Gypsum system. These systems are available on line from ul.com, certifications directory, search for a design, or gypsum.org, publications, download publications..
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 21) How do I get a fire hydrant flow test?
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To order a fire hydrant flow test, complete the Fire Hydrant Flow Test Application and return to the City of Naples Building department with a check in the amount of $100.00. The flow test results will be mailed or faxed to you according to your instructions.
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 22. Where can I find information regarding the new State of Florida statute requiring light roof and floor framing identification requirements?
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