Bradenton, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Article III of Chapter 18 sets up the inspection process for electrical work in the City of Bradenton. Sec. 18-71 creates an electrical inspection section inside the building department, in the charge of an electrical inspector designated by the building official with the approval of the planning and development director. Sec. 18-73 bars anyone from appointment as electrical inspector without five years of experience as an electrical inspector, five years as a master or journeyman electrician, or comparable knowledge of electrical construction.

Sec. 18-82 lists the stages. The rough-in inspection comes first and has to happen before any electrical work is concealed or covered. Work that was covered before approval must be exposed for inspection once the administrative authority issues a notice to uncover it. The final inspection follows completion of the work. Services, temporary poles and underground services are inspected before anyone authorizes them to be energized. Under Sec. 18-83 the request must come from the electrical contractor who performed the work, and under Sec. 18-81 the inspector acts on 24 hours' prior notification, with a minimum of eight working hours allowed after the work is ready.

The inspector holds real enforcement tools. Sec. 18-75 authorizes entry into any building, structure or premises and empowers the inspector to obtain any necessary search warrants. Sec. 18-76 requires work to stop immediately on written notice when it is contrary to the article or done in a dangerous or unsafe manner. The notice goes to the owner, the owner's agent or the person doing the work and states the conditions for resuming, and oral notice is sufficient in an emergency. Sec. 18-77 lets the inspector revoke a permit for a false statement or misrepresentation of material fact, with no refund of permit fees. Sec. 18-78 declares any electrical installation that endangers human life, health or welfare illegal and subject to abatement by rehabilitation or removal.

Building permits carry their own inspection clock. Sec. 18-35 amends Florida Building Code section 104.5 so that a permit becomes invalid unless the city inspects the work within six months after issuance.