Temple Terrace's Building Safety: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building safety a little differently. In Temple Terrace, Florida, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed

Temple Terrace requires scaffolding to comply with the Florida Building Code and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. Building permits are required for scaffolds exceeding 30 feet, and pedestrian protection is mandatory when work occurs over sidewalks or the public right-of-way.

Key details: Code: FBC 7th Edition. Permit Threshold: Over 30 feet. OSHA Standard: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. ROW Permit: Public Works required.

Unpermitted scaffolding stop-work order plus $250 permit-after-the-fact fee. OSHA fall-protection violations reported to Tampa OSHA Area Office. Right-of-way obstruction fines range $100 to $500 per day under Chapter 14.

Elevator Maintenance

Elevators in Temple Terrace buildings are regulated by the Florida Bureau of Elevator Safety under FL §399, requiring annual inspections and certificates of operation.

Key details: State Law: FL §399. Inspection: Annual by certified inspector. Contractor: Licensed required. Certificate: Must be posted. Residential: Exempt but must meet code.

Operating without a current certificate: up to 5,000 dollars per violation under FL §399.13 plus out-of-service order. Unlicensed work is a first-degree misdemeanor.

This is one of the stricter rules in Temple Terrace's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Pest Control

Temple Terrace requires pest-control operators to hold Florida Department of Agriculture (FDACS) licensing under FL Statute §482. Termite pre-treatment is mandatory for new construction per Florida Building Code section 1816, and property owners must abate rodent and mosquito harborage.

Key details: State Law: FL §482 licensing. Termite Pretreat: FBC 1816 required. Mosquito Control: Hillsborough County. Nuisance: City Code Ch. 26.

Unlicensed pest-control work state-level FDACS enforcement plus $5,000 civil penalties. Failure to provide termite pre-treatment certificate construction stop-work. Nuisance harborage citation $150 plus daily fines until abated.

Lead Paint

Pre-1978 homes in Temple Terrace are subject to federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requirements. There is no separate Florida or city lead-paint inspection mandate.

Key details: Applies: Pre-1978 homes. Federal Law: EPA RRP 40 CFR 745. Contractor: Lead-Safe Certified firm. Disclosure: Required at sale/lease. Threshold: 6 sq ft interior / 20 exterior.

EPA RRP violations: up to 37,500 dollars per day per violation. Failure to disclose at sale: tripled damages under federal law.

The Bottom Line

Temple Terrace's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Temple Terrace is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Temple Terrace can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.