Gainesville › Unified Land Development Code

Article 16 — Building and Property Maintenance Regulations, Chapter 16-6 — PERMITS AND EXEMPTIONS

current as of 2025-12-16verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source ↗14 sections · full chapter

§ 16-6-1

Permits Required

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 a code adopted in this Article, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain the required permit.

§ 16-6-2

Permit Exemptions Generally

Exemptions from permit requirements of this Article and codes adopted in this Article shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this Article, codes adopted hereunder, or any other laws or ordinances of the City of Gainesville.

§ 16-6-3

Exemptions from Building Permit

Building permits shall not be required for the following:

(a)One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet for nonresidential uses and 200 square feet for residential uses.

(b)Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.

(c)Oil derricks.

(d)Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.

(e)Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.

(f)Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

(g)Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.

(h)Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, as applicable in Section 101.2 which are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (19 000 L) and are installed entirely above ground.

(i)Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including service systems.

(j)Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.

(k)Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 as applicable in Section 101.2, and Group U occupancies.

(l)Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.

§ 16-6-4

Exemptions from Electrical Permit

Electrical permits shall not be required for the following:

(a)Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

(b)Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but does apply to equipment and wiring for power supply, the installations of towers and antennas.

(c)Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

§ 16-6-5

Exemption from Gas Code

Replacement of any minor part of a portable heating appliance that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe is exempt from a gas code permit.

§ 16-6-6

Exemptions from Mechanical Permit

(a)Where equipment and appliance replacements or repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted with the next working business day of the department of mechanical inspection.

(b)Mechanical permits shall not be required for the following:

(1)Portable heating appliances;

(2)Portable ventilation appliances and equipment;

(3)Portable cooling units;

(4)Steam, hot water or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment or appliances regulated by this code;

(5)The replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of equipment or an appliance or make such equipment or appliance unsafe;

(6)Portable evaporative coolers; and

(7)Self-contained refrigeration systems that contain 10 pounds (4.5kg) or less of refrigerant, or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (0.75kW) or less.

(c)Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for work to be done in violation of the provisions of this code or other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

§ 16-6-7

Exemptions from Plumbing Permit

Plumbing permits shall not be required for the following:

(a)The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.

(b)The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

§ 16-6-8

Permit Application Requirements

To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application in writing on a form furnished by the department of building safety for that purpose. Such application shall:

(a)Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application if made.

(b)Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and locate the proposed building or work.

(c)Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.

(d)Be accompanied by construction documents and other information as required by the Building Official.

(e)State the valuation of the proposed work.

(f)Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.

(g)Give such other data and information as required by the Building Official.

(h)Include payment of a Development Impact Fee is required by Article 9-15 of this Unified Land Development Code. No building permit shall be issued until such fees have been paid.

§ 16-6-9

Action on Permit Application

The Building Official shall examine or cause to be examined applications for permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time after filing. If the application or the construction documents do not conform to the requirements of pertinent laws, the Building Official shall reject such application in writing, stating the reasons for the rejection. If the Building Official is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this code and laws and ordinances applicable thereto, the Building Official shall issue a permit as soon as practicable.

§ 16-6-10

Time Limitation of Application

An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the Building Official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each. The extension shall be required in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

§ 16-6-11

Validity of Permit

The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or of any other ordinance of the jurisdiction.

Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the Building Official from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents and other date. The Building Official is also authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure in violation of this code or of any other ordinances of this jurisdiction.

§ 16-6-12

Expiration

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit commences within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work commenced.

The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

§ 16-6-13

Suspension or Revocation

The Building Official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code wherever the permit is issued in error or based on incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code.

§ 16-6-14

Placement of Permit

The building permit or copy shall be kept on the site of the work until the completion of the project.