Orlando, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Foundation inspection requirement
- FEMA Form 086-0-33 before vertical framing
- Final inspection requirement
- Second FEMA elevation certificate
- Unsafe structure authority
- Building official orders repair or demolition
- Enforcement officer role
- Designated under City Code Chapter 14, § 5.04(1)
- Governing code
- City Code § 13.2, amending FBC §§ 104, 110
Summary
Orlando's local amendments to the Florida Building Code require FEMA elevation certification at the foundation stage and again at final inspection for flood-hazard-area construction, and empower the building official to order repair or demolition of buildings deemed unsafe or unsanitary. City Code § 13.2 governs both.
104.12 Unsafe structures. Buildings and other structures regulated by this code, including support systems such as plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical, that are unsafe or unsanitary are hereby made unlawful and shall be abated by repair or demolition by the building official pursuant to the Orlando City Code... 1.1 In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor, including basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the FEMA elevation certification (FEMA Form 086-0-33) shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction. 5.1. In flood hazard areas, as part of the final inspection, a final FEMA elevation certification (FEMA Form 086-0-33) of the lowest floor elevation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
1. 12 declares that buildings and structures, including their plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical support systems, that are unsafe or unsanitary are unlawful, and directs the building official to abate them by repair or demolition under the Orlando City Code. 3 requires that for construction in flood hazard areas, 'upon placement of the lowest floor, including basement, and prior to further vertical construction,' the contractor must submit a FEMA elevation certification (FEMA Form 086-0-33) to the building official, a checkpoint inspection before framing can proceed.
A second, final FEMA elevation certification of the lowest floor elevation must be submitted 'as part of the final inspection' before the certificate of occupancy issues. 1) a certified statement on hydrostatic equalization design, or a FEMA Floodproofing Certificate for dry-floodproofed nonresidential buildings. 04(1), giving that office authority over both routine construction inspections and unsafe-structure abatement.
Violations & Fines
Failure to submit the required FEMA elevation certifications at the foundation and final inspection stages under amended § 110.3 will halt further vertical construction or block issuance of a certificate of occupancy until documentation is filed. Buildings found unsafe or unsanitary under amended § 104.12 are declared unlawful and may be ordered repaired or demolished by the building official, with costs and enforcement proceeding under the Orlando City Code's general provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Orlando require a FEMA elevation certificate during construction?
Can Orlando's building official order a structure demolished?
Who inspects buildings under Orlando's local code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orlando
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Orlando to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
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