Florida NTBO Guide for Private Provider Projects
The Notice to Building Official is the Florida Building Commission form used when a fee owner, or a contractor authorized by the fee owner, elects private-provider services for plan review, inspections, or both.
What does the Notice to Building Official do?
The NTBO tells the local building official that private-provider services have been contracted for the project. It does not replace the permit application, make the private provider the Permit Applicant, or transfer permit-filing responsibility to FCC. It documents the election to use private-provider plan review, inspections, or both, using the Florida Building Commission form adopted under F.S. 553.791. FCC provides the NTBO, filled out for your project, in your myFCC issuance documents, and a copy is always on this page.
Prefer to watch? The whole NTBO process — what it is, who files it, and what HB 803 changed — in about two minutes.
- 01
Fee Owner
Holds the right to elect private-provider services for the project.
- 02
Authorized Contractor
May elect and sign the NTBO with the fee owner's written authorization.
- 03
Permit Applicant
Submits the signed NTBO to the building department with the permit application.
Electronic Registration
Since July 1, 2026, providers register through each department's electronic system, so the NTBO is the one per-permit form.
Three Things the NTBO Keeps Separate
The fee owner may elect private-provider services.
The fee owner's contractor may elect and sign when written owner authorization exists.
The authorization should specifically cover private-provider use and NTBO signature authority.
The Permit Applicant submits the NTBO, usually with the permit application.
A permit runner, permit coordinator, or permit expediter can deliver it on the Permit Applicant's behalf.
The building department still issues the permit and retains jurisdiction-side authority.
Beginning July 1, 2026, building departments must support electronic private-provider registration.
Provider credentials are verified at registration, not attached to every NTBO. A building official may still ask for a certificate of insurance with the notice under F.S. 553.791(5)(b).
FCC may still include supplemental documents during the transition while departments adopt or stabilize electronic registration.
A contractor can elect a private provider and sign the NTBO on the fee owner’s behalf — but only with the fee owner’s explicit written authorization, and a copy of that authorization must be submitted to the building official (F.S. 553.791(2)(a)). A generic “owner allows contractor to act as agent” clause is not enough; it has to specifically cover using a private provider. There are two clean ways to satisfy it.
Authorization page in the contract
A signed owner-authorization page appended to (or exported from) the construction contract. It authorizes the contractor to (1) use a private provider and (2) sign and submit the NTBO on the owner’s behalf, with indemnification. Best when the authorization should live inside the existing contract package.
Notice to Building Official (NTBO)
The Florida Building Commission's standard NTBO form (Form 61G20-2.005-2002-01, effective January 1, 2025) with FCC's private provider details filled in: Freedom Code Compliance Corp, John Boden, license BU2030. Use this state form rather than a building-department custom form.
Private Provider Owner Authorization
Owner-authorization page for the construction contract (Option A). It authorizes the contractor to use Freedom Code Compliance Corp as the private provider and sign the NTBO on the owner's behalf, per F.S. 553.791(2)(a), with indemnification.
Provided as a convenience and for general information, not legal advice. Use the standard Florida Building Commission NTBO and keep the signed owner authorization with the permit record.
NTBO Responsibilities at a Glance
The clean workflow separates the legal election, the signature, the permit filing, and the private-provider registration record.
The fee owner, or the fee owner's contractor with written owner authorization.
FCC is selected as the private provider; FCC does not make the owner election.
Simple rule: if it is a filing step with the jurisdiction, your team owns it. If it is the private-provider review and inspection scope, FCC owns it.
More NTBO answers in our FAQ
- Why does my building department need the NTBO before virtual inspections?
- What is a Notice to Building Official (NTBO) and why is it important for Plan Reviews?
- What steps should I take regarding the NTBO for a Plan Review?
- Does myFCC pull my permit?
- Do I need to include Private Provider paperwork with my permit application?
- Does HB 803 change who pulls the permit or files paperwork with the building department?
- What is a Notice to Building Official (NTBO) and why is it important?
- What is my responsibility as the contractor or client regarding the NTBO?
Key Terms
- NTBO (Notice to Building Official)
- The Florida Building Commission form the Permit Applicant files with the local building department to notify it that a private provider will perform plan review, inspections, or both on a project. FCC provides it, filled out for your project, in your myFCC issuance documents.
- Fee Owner
- The person or entity that owns the property or building in fee simple, usually the owner of record. For NTBO purposes, this is the owner whose written authorization allows a contractor to elect private-provider services and sign the NTBO on the owner's behalf.
- Private Provider
- A person licensed as a building code administrator, engineer, or architect who performs plan review and inspections under F.S. 553.791 as an alternative to the local building department. A private provider firm offers those services through its licensees.
- Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
- The local government entity (typically the building department) responsible for enforcing the Florida Building Code. The AHJ receives the NTBO and retains authority over permit issuance, zoning, fire safety, and final occupancy.
- Certificate of Compliance
- A document issued by the private provider after a project passes all required FCC inspections, confirming compliance with the Florida Building Code. FCC files it with the AHJ to close out the permit.
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