Margate, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Section 9-21 of the Margate Code, the schedule of permit fees, is where the city describes how building inspections are paid for and repeated. Subsection (2) says permit fees include payment for the permit and for inspection of the work for which the permit was obtained after the work is completed. If the designated inspector finds that the work does not conform to or comply with the chapter, the inspector notifies the contractor or owner of the corrections required. When the inspector is told the corrections have been made, the inspector inspects the work again.

Subsection (3) covers additional inspection trips. A separate charge applies for each trip made necessary by condemned work resulting from faulty construction, work that does not comply with the building code or the approved plans, or work not ready for inspection when called. Fees for reinspection due to correction of workmanship or other violations must be paid by the permit holder before any further reinspection for that discipline is made or any further permits are issued to the person or firm owing them. The dollar amounts are not printed in the code; section 9-21 says fees are set by resolution of the city commission.

The city staffs these inspections in-house. Sections 9-1 and 9-2 create the position of building official and the positions of structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical inspector as full-time city employees under the building official's direction, serving at the pleasure of the city commission. Section 9-21(5) exempts general maintenance or repairs that do not change occupancy and cost less than $1,500 in labor and materials, as determined by the building official.

Tall buildings follow a stricter track. Section 9-8 requires threshold buildings to be permitted and inspected as F.S. § 553.79 requires, with a special inspector who files a signed and sealed compliance certification before a certificate of occupancy issues. The owner must require that inspector to carry professional liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.