Sarasota County, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

1 of the Sarasota County Building Code requires 'the person, company, contractor, or property owner performing the work authorized by a permit' to notify the Building Official that the work is ready for inspection within five business days of finishing it, and treats a missed call for inspection as its own Code violation, separate from whether the underlying construction passes. 1, a permit becomes invalid if work isn't started within six months of issuance or is suspended for six months once started, though the Building Official may grant one written extension of up to 90 days on a timely request.

Work is deemed 'commenced' once the structural foundation has been inspected and in place, and 'suspended' if six months pass between required inspections with no certificate of occupancy issued; every permit expires after three years unless continuous, documented progress is shown. 2 can authorize limited pre-completion activities like stocking and employee training in 30-day increments, capped at 120 days absent extraordinary circumstances confirmed by the Executive Director of Planning and Development Services. 2, on top of the standard permit fee. 1, or ten days if the dispute involves an unsafe-structure determination.