Freedom Code Compliance
Commercial

Commercial Alteration

Includes tenant finishes and remodeling of existing commercial space where structural, mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing changes are being made

Last updated: Apr 20, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Construction Plans Sealed by a Florida Registered Design Professional
    Construction plans sealed by a Florida-registered design professional reflecting the full scope of alteration work
  • Scope of Work Description
    Very detailed written scope of work describing all work to be performed

Conditional

  • Product Approvals
    Florida Product Approvals for any regulated components being installed
    WhenRequired if installing new windows, doors, roofing, or other regulated products

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  4. #04Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

BuildingRequired

  1. #01Occupancy classification (confirm or change)Life Safety

    Confirm the existing occupancy group or evaluate a change of use triggering broader code analysis.

    FBC-B 302FBC-EB Ch. 10
  2. #02Fire-resistive construction and separationsLife Safety

    Fire-resistance rated walls, floor/ceiling assemblies, opening protectives, and penetration firestops must be maintained or upgraded per scope.

    FBC-B 601FBC-B 602FBC-B 711FBC-B 716
  3. #03Life safety and fire protection systemsLife Safety

    Alteration scope must maintain sprinkler coverage, alarm coverage, smoke control, and emergency egress lighting per occupancy.

    FBC-B 903FBC-B 907FBC-B 1008
  4. #04Means of egress capacity and arrangementLife Safety

    Egress capacity, width, common path, travel distance, number of exits, and exit discharge must comply with FBC-B Ch. 10.

    FBC-B 1004FBC-B 1005FBC-B 1006FBC-B 1017
  5. #05Structural alterationsLife Safety

    Any structural alteration requires engineered documentation. Existing structural system compliance per FBC-EB.

    FBC-B 1603FBC-EB Ch. 4FBC-EB Ch. 5
  6. #06Accessibility scoping (FBC-A)Code

    Alteration triggers accessibility requirements in altered areas and along the path of travel to the altered area, up to the 20% disproportionate-cost cap.

    FBC-A 202FBC-A 206FBC-B 3411

MechanicalRequired

  1. #01Specialty exhaust and make-up airLife Safety

    Kitchen hoods, chemical storage, spray booths, and similar require specialty exhaust per FBC-M Ch. 5 with matched make-up air.

    FBC-M 505FBC-M 506FBC-M 507NFPA 96
  2. #02Ventilation per FBC-M 403 (occupancy-based)Code

    Outdoor air ventilation rates per FBC-M Table 403.3 based on occupancy classification and occupant load.

    FBC-M 403ASHRAE 62.1

ElectricalRequired

  1. #01Emergency and standby systems (if occupancy triggers)Life Safety

    Emergency lighting, exit sign power, and standby power where required by occupancy and scope.

    NEC 700NEC 701FBC-B 1008
  2. #02Service and feeder capacity for altered loadCode

    Load calculation supporting altered service, feeders, and branch circuits per NEC Article 220.

    NEC 220NEC 230NEC 408
  3. #03Lighting and receptacle compliancePerformance

    Lighting power density, controls, and commercial GFCI/specific-location protection requirements.

    NEC 210.8(B)FBC-E C405ASHRAE 90.1

PlumbingRequired

  1. #01Minimum fixture count (FBC-P Table 403.1)Code

    Minimum plumbing fixtures required per occupancy classification and occupant load per FBC-P Table 403.1.

    FBC-P 403
  2. #02Grease waste and interceptors (food service)Code

    Food-service alterations require grease waste segregation and sized grease interceptor per jurisdictional sewer authority.

    FBC-P 1003Local sewer authority standards

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your FCC inspector will confirm which apply to your project. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Building

Phase #1

Rough Framing

Conditional
  1. Wall stud spacing and sizeCritical

    Verify stud size and spacing match approved plans

    FBC-R R602.3FBC-R R602.3.1
  2. Headers and beamsCritical

    Verify header and beam sizes over openings per plans

    FBC-R R602.7
  3. Top and bottom plate connectionsCritical

    Verify double top plates with proper lapping and anchored bottom plates

    FBC-R R602.3.2
  4. Corner and intersection bracingCritical

    Verify proper bracing at corners and wall intersections

    FBC-R R602.10
  5. Window and door rough openingsCritical

    Verify rough openings match approved plans for size and location

    FBC-R R602.7
  6. Hurricane straps and hold-downsCritical

    Verify hurricane straps and hold-down hardware installed per plans

    FBC-R R802.11
  7. Fire blocking

    Verify fire blocking is installed at required locations

    FBC-R R602.8
Phase #2

Roof Dry In, In Progress

Conditional
  1. Underlayment installationCritical

    Verify roof underlayment is installed per code and manufacturer specs

    FBC-R R905.1.1
  2. Drip edge installationCritical

    Verify drip edge is installed at eaves and rakes

    FBC-R R905.2.8.5
  3. Valley and flashingCritical

    Verify valley flashing and wall flashing are properly installed

    FBC-R R903.2
  4. Roof penetration sealing

    Verify all roof penetrations are properly sealed and flashed

    FBC-R R903.2

Plumbing

Phase #3

Rough Plumbing

Conditional
  1. Supply pipe sizing and materialCritical

    Verify supply pipe sizes and material match approved plans

    FBC-P 604.1
  2. DWV pipe sizing and slopeCritical

    Verify drain, waste, and vent pipe sizes and slope per plans

    FBC-P 704.1
  3. Pipe support and hangingCritical

    Verify pipes are properly supported at required intervals

    FBC-P 308.1
  4. Vent termination locations

    Verify vent pipes terminate properly through roof

    FBC-P 903.1
  5. Water heater rough-in

    Verify water heater location, drain pan, and connections per plans

    FBC-P 607.1

Electrical

Phase #4

Rough Electrical

Conditional
  1. Panel installationCritical

    Verify electrical panel is properly mounted and sized per plans

    NEC 408.4
  2. Wire sizing per circuitsCritical

    Verify wire gauge matches breaker amperage for each circuit

    NEC 210.3NEC 240.4
  3. Box fill and installationCritical

    Verify electrical boxes are properly installed and not overfilled

    NEC 314.16
  4. GFCI and AFCI locationsCritical

    Verify GFCI and AFCI protection is provided where required

    NEC 210.8NEC 210.12
  5. Smoke and CO alarm wiringCritical

    Verify interconnected smoke and CO alarm wiring is in place

    FBC-R R314.3FBC-R R315
  6. Grounding and bondingCritical

    Verify grounding electrode system and bonding connections

    NEC 250.50

Mechanical

Phase #5

Rough Mechanical/HVAC

Conditional
  1. Ductwork installationCritical

    Verify duct sizes, routing, and support match approved plans

    FBC-M 603.1
  2. Duct sealingCritical

    Verify duct joints and connections are properly sealed

    FBC-M 603.9
  3. Equipment placementCritical

    Verify air handler and condenser locations per plans with required clearances

    FBC-M 304.1
  4. Refrigerant line installation

    Verify refrigerant line sizing and insulation per plans

    FBC-M 1101.3
  5. Return air pathway

    Verify return air pathways are properly sized and located

    FBC-M 601.2

Building

Phase #6

Insulation

Conditional
  1. Wall cavity insulation R-valueCritical

    Verify wall insulation R-value matches energy calculations

    FBC-E R402.1
  2. Ceiling/attic insulation R-valueCritical

    Verify ceiling or attic insulation R-value per energy calculations

    FBC-E R402.1
  3. Insulation coverage and gapsCritical

    Verify no gaps, voids, or compression in insulation installation

    FBC-E R402.4
  4. Air sealing

    Verify air sealing at penetrations, top plates, and rim joists

    FBC-E R402.4.1
Phase #7

Lathe, Siding

Conditional
  1. Wall covering material and installationCritical

    Verify exterior wall covering material matches approved plans and is properly installed

    FBC-R R703.1
  2. Weather-resistive barrierCritical

    Verify weather-resistive barrier is properly installed behind cladding

    FBC-R R703.2
  3. Flashing at penetrations and transitionsCritical

    Verify flashing is installed at windows, doors, and wall transitions

    FBC-R R703.4
  4. Fastener pattern and spacing

    Verify cladding fastener type and spacing per manufacturer and plans

    FBC-R R703.1
Phase #8

Drywall

ConditionalBD-Dependent

Most jurisdictions skip this inspection for this project type. Confirm with your building department whether they'll require it.

  1. Drywall thickness and typeCritical

    Verify drywall thickness matches plans, moisture-resistant board in wet areas

    FBC-R R702.3.1
  2. Fastener spacingCritical

    Verify screw or nail spacing meets code requirements

    FBC-R R702.3.5
  3. Fire-rated assembliesCritical

    Verify fire-rated walls and ceilings have proper drywall layers per rating

    FBC-R R302.6
  4. Moisture barrier in wet areas

    Verify moisture barrier behind tub/shower surrounds where required

    FBC-R R702.4

Electrical

Phase #9

Final Electrical

RequiredTypical Final
  1. Panel complete and labeledCritical

    Verify panel cover installed, all breakers labeled, no open knockouts

    NEC 408.4
  2. GFCI and AFCI operationalCritical

    Verify all GFCI and AFCI devices test and reset properly

    NEC 210.8NEC 210.12
  3. Receptacle and switch functionCritical

    Verify outlets and switches operate correctly throughout

    NEC 210.52
  4. Light fixtures installed

    Verify all light fixtures are installed and operational

    NEC 210.70
  5. Exterior lighting and outletsCritical

    Verify exterior outlets are GFCI protected and lighting is functional

    NEC 210.8NEC 210.52(E)

Plumbing

Phase #10

Final Plumbing

RequiredTypical Final
  1. Fixture installation and operationCritical

    Verify all plumbing fixtures are installed, connected, and operational

    FBC-P 405.1
  2. Water heater installationCritical

    Verify water heater is properly installed with TPR valve, drain pan, and discharge pipe

    FBC-P 607.1
  3. No visible leaksCritical

    Verify no leaks at any supply or drain connection

    FBC-P 312.1
  4. Hose bibbs and exterior plumbing

    Verify exterior hose bibbs have backflow prevention

    FBC-P 608.15.4.2

Mechanical

Phase #11

Final Mechanical/HVAC

RequiredTypical Final
  1. System operational testCritical

    Verify HVAC system starts, runs, and produces heated and cooled air

    FBC-M 304.1
  2. Air handler and condenser installationCritical

    Verify equipment is properly installed with required clearances and level

    FBC-M 304.1
  3. Condensate drainCritical

    Verify condensate drain is properly routed and terminated

    FBC-M 307.2
  4. Duct registers and grilles

    Verify all supply and return registers are installed and operational

    FBC-M 601.2
  5. Equipment labels and data plates

    Verify equipment nameplates match approved plans for capacity and efficiency

    FBC-M 304.1

Building

Phase #12

Final Building

RequiredTypical Final
  1. Egress doors and hardwareCritical

    Verify egress doors provide minimum 32-inch clear width and proper hardware

    FBC-R R311.2
  2. Smoke alarms installed and operationalCritical

    Verify smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and each level

    FBC-R R314.3
  3. CO alarms installedCritical

    Verify carbon monoxide alarms where required

    FBC-R R315
  4. Emergency escape openingsCritical

    Verify bedroom windows meet egress size requirements

    FBC-R R310.1
  5. Stairway complianceCritical

    Verify stair rise, run, handrail height, and landing dimensions

    FBC-R R311.7
  6. Address numbers visible

    Verify address numbers are posted and visible from street

    FBC-R R319.1
  7. Exterior finishes complete

    Verify exterior cladding, trim, and weatherproofing are complete

    FBC-R R703.1
  8. Site grading and drainage

    Verify finish grade slopes away from foundation minimum 6 inches in 10 feet

    FBC-R R401.3