OWNER/BUILDER DECLARATION
Owner must personally appear at Permitting Services to sign this document.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:
1. I understand that state law requires construction to be done by a licensed contractor and have applied for an owner-builder permit under an
exemption from the law. The exemption specifies that I, as the owner of the property listed, may act as my own contractor with certain restrictions
even though I do not have a license.
2. I understand that building permits are not required to be signed by a property owner unless he or she is responsible for the construction and is
not hiring a licensed contractor to assume responsibility.
3. I understand that, as an owner-builder, I am the responsible party of record on a permit. I understand that I may protect myself from potential
financial risk by hiring a licensed contractor and having the permit filed in his or her name instead of my own name. I also understand that a
contractor is required by law to be licensed in Florida and to list his or her license numbers on permits and contracts.
4. I understand that I may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence or a farm outbuilding. I may also build or improve a commercial
building if the costs do not exceed $75,000. The building or residence must be for my own use or occupancy. It may not be built or substantially
improved for sale or lease, unless I am completing the requirements of a building permit where the contractor listed on the permit substantially
completed the project. If a building or residence that I have built or substantially improved myself is sold or leased within 1 year after the
construction is complete, the law will presume that I built or substantially improved it for sale or lease, which violates the exemption.
5. I understand that, as the owner-builder, I must provide direct, on-site supervision of the construction.
6. I understand that I may not hire an unlicensed person to act as my contractor or to supervise persons working on my building or residence. It is
my responsibility to ensure that the persons whom I employ have the licenses required by law and by county or municipal ordinance.
7. I understand that it is a frequent practice of unlicensed persons to have the property owner obtain an owner-builder permit that erroneously
implies that the property owner is providing his or her own labor and materials. I, as an owner-builder, may be held liable and subjected to serious
financial risk for any injuries sustained by an unlicensed person or his or her employees while working on my property. My homeowner’s insurance
may not provide coverage for those injuries. I am willfully acting as an owner-builder and am aware of the limits of my insurance coverage for
injuries to workers on my property.
8. I understand that I may not delegate the responsibility for supervising work to a licensed contractor who is not licensed to perform the work
being done. Any person working on my building who is not licensed must work under my direct supervision and must be employed by me, which
means that I must comply with laws requiring the withholding of federal income tax and social security contributions under the Federal Insurance
Contributions Act (FICA) and must provide workers’ compensation for the employee. I understand that my failure to follow these laws may subject
me to serious financial risk.
9. I agree that, as the party legally and financially responsible for this proposed construction activity, I will abide by all applicable laws and
requirements that govern owner-builders as well as employers. I also understand that the construction must comply with all applicable laws,
ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations.
10. I understand that I may obtain more information regarding my obligations as an employer from the Internal Revenue Service, the United States
Small Business Administration, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Department of Revenue. I also understand that I may
contact the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board at 850.487.1395 or myfloridalicense.com for more information about licensed
contractors.
11. I am aware of, and consent to, an owner-builder building permit applied for in my name and understand that I am the party legally and
financially responsible for the proposed construction activity at the following address:________________________________________________
12. I agree to notify the City of Orlando immediately of any additions, deletions, or changes to any of the information that I have provided on this
disclosure.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • PERMITTING SERVICES
400 South Orange Avenue · First Floor PO Box 4990 · Orlando, FL
32802-4990
P 407.246.2271· F 407.246.3420 · Orlando.gov/permits
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