Good Day! Looking for input on issue I have with local building department . Summary:
Florida Park / 23 homes
Park Owned Homes Aged 1960 - 1992
Small Community Building Department
We acquired a terrible small community park 23 lots, 14 vacant homes and have renovated virtually all the home inside and out, over the past 6 months, since acquisition.
Now, this is the second time the location building inspector has tagged one of the homes.
The first time, while renovating a particular home, we were required to have stamped engineered plans for entrance steps, with concrete pad/foundation and bolted down, resulting in 3 inspections.
So great - I have 26 sets of stairs and one can survive a tornado… stupid!
Now we have a 1960 mobile home, virtually flat roof and we decided to install new metal. The building inspector said he had to tag it because they received a complaint (happens to be someone we are evicting). The inspector said “roof looks good” but you have to pull permit. “I might ask you to put a few more screws in the roof”.
I’m licensed building contractor and even with my ownership of the property (LLC titled) they will not allow permit. Florida requires roofing license or GC to roof. I just decided to hire a roofing company and are receiving bids of $10,000 -$12,000 for 400 sf or work.
Now I’m wondering if there might be a better approach to challenge the jurisdictional authority of the building department in an effort to keep them out of the park.
Here is my question:
I understand that post-1974 homes are regulated by HUD and not subject to IBC building standards. Would the same vicariously apply to pre-1974 homes?
Does anyone have recommendation for Florida Law Firm who can help push back on Building Department - if we have standing?
Any other advice or thought would be apprieated.
Thank you