Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code

Article 11 — Subdivisions and Land Development, Chapter 11-12 — LAND DEVELOPMENT INSPECTION

current as of 2025-12-16verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source ↗11 sections · full chapter

§ 11-12-1

Applicability

This chapter shall apply to inspections processes during the land development permitting process as specified in Chapter 11-6. It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, or contractor to proceed with land development activities except as inspected for compliance in accordance with this chapter.

§ 11-12-2

Owner’s Responsibilities

The owner shall be responsible for correcting any deficiencies identified by land development inspections prior to approval of a final subdivision plat or issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

§ 11-12-3

Request for Inspection

Requests for land development inspections shall be made by the owner or contractor to the applicable department at least 24 hours prior to when the inspection is needed. Inspections shall be made and passed prior to continuation of further activity or proceeding into new phases.

§ 11-12-4

Inspections Required

Inspections are required of each of the following phases of the land development process, as applicable to the actual work to be performed under the development permit:

(a)Land disturbance/soil erosion inspection. Prior to clearing, grubbing and/or land disturbance of the property or any activity undertaken pursuant to an approved land development permit, erosion and sedimentation control measures and devices for protection of trees and undisturbed areas shall be inspected and approved.

(b)Street grade and sub-grade preparation. After completing street grading but prior to trenching or continuation with sub-grade preparation, inspection and approval shall be required.

(c)Storm drainage. Installation of storm drainage pipe, detention, or other stormwater facilities shall be inspected and approved.

(d)Sub-grade of streets. After compaction and receipt of test reports, the sub-grade may be roll-tested with an 18-ton tandem dump truck and shall pass to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

(e)Street curbing and gutter. Inspection shall be requested after the forms or string lines have been set. Street width and vertical and horizontal alignment may be spot checked.

(f)Street base. After receipt of test reports, the base may be string-lined for depth and crown. The street base may be roll-tested with an 18-ton tandem dump truck and shall pass to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

(g)Paving. A Public Works inspector shall be on site during the paving process to check consistency, depth, and workmanship, as applicable. For asphalt paving, the temperature of the material will be monitored and the street will be cored after completion to check thickness and density. Satisfactory test results of the cores shall be delivered to Public Works Department prior to approval of a final subdivision plat or certificate of occupancy.

(h)Final. A final inspection of land development activity and improvements installed shall be required and approved by the applicable department, following submission and review of the as-built surveys required by this chapter.

§ 11-12-5

As-Built Surveys Required

Upon completion of land development activity or the installation of improvements as authorized by the land development permit and prior to final development inspection of public and private improvements, the owner shall submit record survey drawings showing "as-built"

conditions of all public infrastructure improvements. The as-built survey drawings shall be certified and sealed by a registered land surveyor, subject to the tolerances of accuracy indicated in the survey certification.

§ 11-12-6

Specifications for As-Built Surveys

The as-built survey drawings shall show the location, vertical and horizontal alignment, and finished elevations of the following:

(a)Stormwater system.

(b)Sanitary sewer system.

(c)Water system.

(d)Public streets, including street centerlines showing angles of deflection and standard curve data of intersection, radii, length of tangents and arcs, and degree of curvature with basis of curve data.

§ 11-12-7

Process for Approving As-Built Surveys

As-built survey drawings required by this chapter shall be submitted for review through the city’s online permitting portal to the Community and Economic Development Department, which will route plans to other reviewing agencies as may be necessary.

§ 11-12-8

Final Land Development Inspection

Following submission and review of the as-built surveys, the Public Works Department shall conduct a final land development inspection of the project. The owner shall be responsible for correcting any deficiencies identified in the final development inspection prior to approval of a final subdivision plat or issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

§ 11-12-9

Maintenance Bond Required

Prior to approval of a final subdivision plat or issuance of a certificate of occupancy, a maintenance bond in a form acceptable to the Public Works Department shall be required for all public improvements shown on the as-built surveys required by this chapter. The bond will include maintenance of streets and stormwater facilities. The owner and subdivider shall be responsible for maintenance of all such public improvements for twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy or final subdivision plat approval, as applicable.

§ 11-12-10

Amount of Maintenance Bond

The value of the maintenance bond shall be equal to 30% of the actual cost of construction of the public improvements shown on the as-built surveys or final plat if they are 100% complete.

For those subdividers who choose to delay the wearing course of pavement and/or the sidewalk improvements, the value of the maintenance bond shall be equal to 30% of the completed work and, in addition, the subdivider shall provide a performance bond as described in Section 11-12-11. The cost of construction shall be evidenced by copies of contractor agreements or actual invoices paid, or as otherwise determined by the Director of Public Works.

§ 11-12-11

Amount of Performance Bond

For those subdividers who choose to delay the wearing course of pavement and/or the sidewalk improvements, the value of the performance bond shall be equal to 100% of the value of the wearing course and/or the sidewalks, and any other incomplete work as allowed by the Director of Public Works. The cost of construction shall be evidenced by copies of contractor agreements or actual invoices paid, or as otherwise determined by the Director of Public Works.