The Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals (BORA) has established a Building Safety Inspection Program for buildings and structures that are 25 years of age or older. Details can be viewed in the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals Policy 05-05). This policy complies with the State of Florida Senate Bill 154 requirements.
This program applies to buildings that are 25 years or older and helps ensure that older buildings remain safe and compliant with local standards, protecting residents and property owners alike.
Inspection Schedule: Buildings must be inspected every 10 years. The first inspection is required when the building reaches 25 years of age, and subsequent inspections are due every ten years after that.
Inspection Requirements: Inspections must follow specific guidelines set by the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals, and must be performed by qualified professionals such as licensed engineers or registered architects (“Licensed Professional”).
Certain types of buildings, as follows, are not subject to this program:
- Federal and state government buildings
- Buildings on sovereign tribal lands
- School buildings managed by the Broward County School Board
- Small residential buildings (up to four units and three stories or less)
- Fee Simple townhouses
- Small structures under 3,500 square feet
- Railroads and related facilities
Between June 1 and August 31 each year, property owners and/or associations will receive a notice from the Building Official, by certified mail, when their building is due for inspection during that calendar year.
Within 180 days of receiving this notice, owners must submit a safety report prepared by a qualified Licensed Professional, confirming the building’s structural and electrical safety.
If the inspection finds that repairs or modifications are needed, the owner will have up to 180 days from the date of the inspection report - unless otherwise specified by the Building Official - to complete any required repairs and any structural or electrical problems.
If repairs are necessary, the Licensed Professional who did the inspection will provide a written, signed, and sealed letter to both the owner and the Building Official. This letter will state whether the building can stay safely occupied while repairs are being made. This safety certification is valid for up to 180 days.
Once all repairs are finished, the same Licensed Professional will return to re-inspect the building. They will then provide an amended report with a signed and sealed letter confirming that all repairs are complete and that the building is certified safe for continued use.
A $375 fee will be required for review, and once your application has been accepted, you’ll receive an email notification with payment details. The following forms must be completed and attached with your application.
All documents must be digitally signed and sealed and submitted electronically using the Building Safety Inspection Program Application (BSIP) through the LauderBuild Plan Room (paper submissions are no longer accepted). Each document must be uploaded separately (do not combine them into a single file). If you encounter issues, please contact the Building Safety Program.
For resubmissions or corrections of reports created before January 1, 2024, please email the updated/correct report to Fritchey@fortlauderdale.gov or to the following address. Please DO NOT submit a new application as this will result in duplicate records.
Building Safety Program Contact Information
BuildingSafetyProgram@fortlauderdale.gov
954-828-5932 / 954-828-5082