Freedom Code Compliance
Commercial

Commercial Patio/Lanai Roof or Cover

Patio cover, pavilion, pergola, or gazebo at commercial, apartment, or condo property. Solid roofs need roofing inspections; open pergolas do not.

Last updated: Sep 29, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Construction Plans
    Construction plans for the work. Plans prepared by a Florida-registered architect or engineer carry that professional's seal. Plans prepared by a contractor or owner are accepted without a seal unless Florida law or the building department requires professional plans.
  • Product Approvals
    Florida Product Approvals for roofing materials and structural components
  • Site Plan / Survey
    Site plan or survey showing property boundaries and cover footprint

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. #01Design wind speed & exposureLife Safety

    Structural drawings must declare design wind speed (Vult) and exposure category matching the jurisdiction's wind speed map.

    FBC-B 1609ASCE 7-22
  2. #02Attachment to existing structureLife Safety

    Connection details between the new work and the existing structure must show fastener type, spacing, and embedment.

    FBC-B 2002.4FBC-B 1604.8
  3. #03Florida product approvalCode

    Florida product approval (statewide FL#, Miami-Dade NOA, or local approval under F.S. 553.8425) must be listed for each product subject to Florida product approval (F.S. 553.842 and 553.8425; Rule 61G20-3 F.A.C.).

    F.S. 553.842F.S. 553.8425Rule 61G20-3 F.A.C.
  4. #04Engineer of record seal, when engineeredDocumentation

    When a Florida engineer prepared the structural drawings, the document carries that engineer's seal and signature. Contractor- or owner-prepared structural drawings need a seal only when Florida law or the building department requires one.

    Florida Statutes Chapter 471FBC-B 107.3.5

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your own inspection list comes from your approved plans. Inspections marked “If in scope” apply only when your plans include that work. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Building

Phase #1

Footing / Grade Beam

If in scope
  1. Footing dimensionsCritical

    Verify footing width and depth match approved plans

  2. Rebar size and spacingCritical

    Verify rebar size, spacing, and placement per plans

  3. UFER grounding electrode

    Where approved electrical plans use a concrete-encased grounding electrode, show its length, material, and connection before concrete.

    NEC 250.52
  4. Foundation anchorage layout

    Verify anchor bolt placement for sill plate attachment

  5. Forms and footing locationCritical

    Verify footing and grade beam forms match the approved foundation plan before the pour.

  6. Excavation conditionCritical

    Check that the excavation is clean, stable, and ready for concrete.

Phase #2

Framing

  1. Wall stud spacing and sizeCritical

    Verify stud size and spacing match approved plans

  2. Headers and beamsCritical

    Verify header and beam sizes over openings per plans

  3. Top and bottom plate connectionsCritical

    Verify double top plates with proper lapping and anchored bottom plates

  4. Corner and intersection bracingCritical

    Verify proper bracing at corners and wall intersections

  5. Window and door rough openingsCritical

    Verify rough openings match approved plans for size and location

  6. Hurricane straps and hold-downsCritical

    Verify hurricane straps and hold-down hardware installed per plans

  7. Fire blocking

    Verify fire blocking is installed at required locations

Phase #3

Roof Dry-In

If in scope
  1. Underlayment installationCritical

    Verify roof underlayment is installed per code and manufacturer specs

  2. Underlayment typeCritical

    Match installed underlayment to the approved roof system and manufacturer instructions.

  3. Lap and fasteningCritical

    Show laps, seams, and fasteners before the roof covering conceals them.

  4. Dry-in continuityCritical

    Show continuous dry-in at edges, transitions, and penetrations.

Phase #4

Roof Final

If in scope
  1. Roofing material installationCritical

    Verify roofing material is installed per manufacturer specs and approved plans

  2. Flashing completenessCritical

    Verify all flashing is complete at walls, valleys, penetrations, and edges

  3. Ridge vent or ventilation

    Show roof or attic ventilation where the approved design requires it.

  4. Covering attachment evidenceCritical

    Show in-progress evidence for concealed fasteners, clips or adhesive and visible attachment at roof edges and terminations.

  5. Cleanup and debris removal

    Verify job site is clean with no exposed nails or debris in gutters

  6. Completed roofCritical

    Confirm all roof planes, edges, penetrations, and terminations are complete.

Phase #5

Building Final

Typical Final
  1. Cover completeCritical

    Confirm posts, beams, bracing, roof or open pergola members match approved plans.

    FBC-B 110.3
  2. Roof weatherproofing

    For solid roof only, show flashing, drainage, and attachment at existing building.

    FBC-B 110.3