Private Provider Registrations for Building Permit Application Plans Review and/or Inspections

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Overview

Private Providers are licensed professionals authorized under Florida Statute §553.791 to perform building plan review and/or inspections in place of Town staff. The Town continues to issue permits and Certificates of Occupancy/Completion (CO/CC) and maintains oversight.

Private Providers are authorized to perform plan review and inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. Permits and approvals for outside agency disciplines - such as Engineering, Zoning, Fire, Landscape, and Utilities - are reviewed and inspected by their respective Town divisions.

Key Requirement:
If a Private Provider performs plan review, the same provider must perform all inspections for that project.

How it Works

Step 1 – Register the Provider (one-time per firm/qualifier) & Apply for a Permit

Submit your firm’s registration online through the CAP Portal for Town review, by registering here:

https://cap.geocivix.com/secure/

The following forms are applicable to this online registration and application process:

Private Provider Form
NTBO Form

In addition, the following documentation must be uploaded as well, as applicable:

A Certificate of Liability Insurance indicating General Liability and Workers Compensation coverage, naming the Town of Lake Park as the Certificate Holder
Any applicable affidavits for requests for plans review and/or plan review compliance and/or inspections and/or certificate of occupancy/completion, and all respective plans and supporting documents related to the permit application
State Certification required for each Inspector/Reviewer (include resumes and/or list of qualifications)

County or Municipal BTR (Business Tax Receipt) from the jurisdiction the business is located in

After submission:

You will receive a confirmation email that your application is under review
Corrections or additional information will be requested through the online portal
Once approved, your firm is authorized to use Private Provider services on permits

Note: Submit only required information. Do not include Social Security numbers or unrelated personal data.

Outside Agency Reviews: Some projects require review by Engineering, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, Zoning, or other agencies. These are coordinated internally through the Building Division.

Step 2 – Inspections

If private plan review is performed, private inspections are required
The Private Provider or listed DAR must perform all inspections

Reporting Requirements:

Submit inspection reports same day or next business day by uploading them to the portal
Reports must clearly indicate pass/fail and include re-inspection notes

On-Site Requirements:

Maintain an inspection log on site, available upon request

Audits:

The Town may audit inspections and request jobsite access and records
Missing reports or unresolved issues may delay permit approval or issuance.

Step 3 – Final Approval and Certificate of Occupancy/Completion

Before final approval:

All Private Provider reports must be submitted and accepted
All outside agency approvals must be complete
Any required Town inspections must pass

The Building Official will review all final project records prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion. This includes required documentation such as elevation certificates, engineer certifications/reports, and any other applicable close-out documents submitted to the Building Divsion.

The Town will issue the Certificate of Occupancy or Completion after all requirements are verified.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is required for each permit when using a Private Provider? For each permit: Notice to Building Official Form (NTBO) – required to notify the Building Official when private provider services are used; must be submitted with the permit application or prior to the first inspection Plan Review Compliance Affidavit – certifies that privately reviewed plans meet applicable codes and identifies reviewed disciplines and sheets Plan set and supporting documents – standard permit submittal documents. Plans reviewed by a Private Provider must include an approval stamp from the provider confirming the plans have been reviewed and approved for code compliance
Can I use a Private Provider for plan review but have the Town perform inspections? No. If you elect private plan review, the same approved Private Provider must perform all inspections for that permit.
When do I need to designate a Private Provider? A Private Provider must be identified at the time of permit application by submitting the Notice to Building Official. Changes after permit issuance may not be allowed without approval.
Can I switch between Town inspections and a Private Provider? No. Once a Private Provider is selected for plan review or inspections, that provider must perform all required inspections for that permit.
What happens if inspection reports are not submitted on time? Inspection reports must be submitted the same day or next business day. Missing reports may result in permit holds, failed inspections, or delays in approval.
What is required for final approval (Certificate of Occupancy / Completion)? All Private Provider inspection reports must be submitted and accepted, all outside agency approvals must be complete, and any required Town inspections must pass. Final documentation - such as elevation certificates, engineer certifications, and other close-out documents - must be submitted for review by the Building Official.
Do Private Provider inspections replace all Town inspections? No. Private Provider inspections replace Town inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. The Town may still perform verification visits, final inspections, or audits as part of its oversight responsibilities. Town inspectors may visit an active job site on behalf of the Building Official to verify that the Private Provider is performing required inspections in accordance with the program. These visits are for oversight and do not replace the Private Provider’s inspections. If a condition is identified that poses an immediate threat to public safety, the Building Official has the authority to take action, including issuing a stop-work order and requiring corrective measures.
Does a Private Provider replace Town or outside agency reviews? No. Permits are still submitted to and processed by the Town. Required outside-agency reviews (Engineering, Floodplain, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, and Zoning) are coordinated through the Building Department and occur as part of the permit submittal process. Any required Palm Beach County or State approvals must be included before permit issuance. The Private Provider’s role is limited to building code plan review and inspections and remains subject to Town oversight and audit.
Are outside agency reviews still required? Yes. Some projects require approval from outside agencies such as Engineering, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, and Zoning. Submit all required documents with your permit package Include any required County or State approvals Note: Permits cannot be issued until all required approvals are received.
What disciplines can a Private Provider perform? Private Providers may perform plan review and inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. Outside agency disciplines remain under Town review.
Do I still need to submit plans to the Town? Yes. All permit applications and plans must still be submitted through the Town’s permitting system. The Town maintains oversight and coordination of the review process.
Who qualifies as a Private Provider? Florida-licensed architects or engineers BCAIB-certified plans examiners or inspectors Approved Duly Authorized Representatives (DARs) Requirements: Must work within their licensed discipline Must maintain an active license Must carry professional liability insurance Cannot inspect work they or their firm designed or built

Can a Private Provider review or inspect work they designed? No. Private Providers may not inspect or review any work they or their firm designed or constructed.
Does the Town audit Private Provider work? Yes. The Town may audit any private plan review or inspection, either routinely or for cause, to ensure compliance with Florida Statute §553.791 and Town procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is required for each permit when using a Private Provider?

For each permit:

Notice to Building Official Form (NTBO) – required to notify the Building Official when private provider services are used; must be submitted with the permit application or prior to the first inspection
Plan Review Compliance Affidavit – certifies that privately reviewed plans meet applicable codes and identifies reviewed disciplines and sheets
Plan set and supporting documents – standard permit submittal documents. Plans reviewed by a Private Provider must include an approval stamp from the provider confirming the plans have been reviewed and approved for code compliance

Can I use a Private Provider for plan review but have the Town perform inspections?

No. If you elect private plan review, the same approved Private Provider must perform all inspections for that permit.

When do I need to designate a Private Provider?

A Private Provider must be identified at the time of permit application by submitting the Notice to Building Official. Changes after permit issuance may not be allowed without approval.

Can I switch between Town inspections and a Private Provider?

No. Once a Private Provider is selected for plan review or inspections, that provider must perform all required inspections for that permit.

What happens if inspection reports are not submitted on time?

Inspection reports must be submitted the same day or next business day. Missing reports may result in permit holds, failed inspections, or delays in approval.

What is required for final approval (Certificate of Occupancy / Completion)?

All Private Provider inspection reports must be submitted and accepted, all outside agency approvals must be complete, and any required Town inspections must pass.

Final documentation - such as elevation certificates, engineer certifications, and other close-out documents - must be submitted for review by the Building Official.

Do Private Provider inspections replace all Town inspections?

No. Private Provider inspections replace Town inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. The Town may still perform verification visits, final inspections, or audits as part of its oversight responsibilities.

Town inspectors may visit an active job site on behalf of the Building Official to verify that the Private Provider is performing required inspections in accordance with the program. These visits are for oversight and do not replace the Private Provider’s inspections.

If a condition is identified that poses an immediate threat to public safety, the Building Official has the authority to take action, including issuing a stop-work order and requiring corrective measures.

Does a Private Provider replace Town or outside agency reviews?

No. Permits are still submitted to and processed by the Town. Required outside-agency reviews (Engineering, Floodplain, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, and Zoning) are coordinated through the Building Department and occur as part of the permit submittal process.

Any required Palm Beach County or State approvals must be included before permit issuance.

The Private Provider’s role is limited to building code plan review and inspections and remains subject to Town oversight and audit.

Are outside agency reviews still required?

Yes. Some projects require approval from outside agencies such as Engineering, Fire Prevention, Landscape, Utilities, and Zoning.

Submit all required documents with your permit package
Include any required County or State approvals

Note: Permits cannot be issued until all required approvals are received.

What disciplines can a Private Provider perform?

Private Providers may perform plan review and inspections for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing disciplines only. Outside agency disciplines remain under Town review.

Do I still need to submit plans to the Town?

Yes. All permit applications and plans must still be submitted through the Town’s permitting system. The Town maintains oversight and coordination of the review process.

Who qualifies as a Private Provider?

Florida-licensed architects or engineers
BCAIB-certified plans examiners or inspectors
Approved Duly Authorized Representatives (DARs)

Requirements:

Must work within their licensed discipline
Must maintain an active license
Must carry professional liability insurance
Cannot inspect work they or their firm designed or built

Can a Private Provider review or inspect work they designed?

No. Private Providers may not inspect or review any work they or their firm designed or constructed.

Does the Town audit Private Provider work?

Yes. The Town may audit any private plan review or inspection, either routinely or for cause, to ensure compliance with Florida Statute §553.791 and Town procedures.

Additional Resources
1. Private Provider Additional Info Sheet