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Building department details storm‑recovery workload, launches short‑term‑rental enforcement and pilots rapid permitting
Summary
Building and Development Review Services described continuing substantial‑damage work following recent storms, reported thousands of structures assessed, rolled out a short‑term rental registration program and proposed technology and process pilots to shorten permitting turnaround.
Building and Development Review Services (BDRS) reported on continuing storm recovery operations, a new short‑term‑rental (STR) certification program, and plans to accelerate permitting using virtual inspections and technology pilots.
Kevin McAndrew, department director, told commissioners that FY25 was dominated by storm recovery and that BDRS inspected approximately 4,600 structures for substantial‑damage determinations. McAndrew said the office doubled output compared with typical “blue‑sky” operations during peak recovery months but that a final appeals process remains under way; the department is initiating appeals hearings starting next week and expects recovery work to continue into FY26 because of extended compliance timelines.
BDRS has launched a mandatory STR certificate‑of‑use program. Staff sent approximately 1,700 letters to operators in unincorporated Pinellas and reported the first wave of about 500 required registrants yielded roughly 60% compliance; noncompliant properties received warning letters and will be subject to violation notices if owners do not apply. The department said three new code officers and expanded customer‑service hours support STR enforcement.
On permitting reforms, McAndrew outlined recent technology work and planned pilots: an electronic inspection and scheduling system (Selectron Atlas) was deployed to provide two‑hour inspection windows and tracking; BDRS plans to expand virtual inspections for high‑volume, nonstructural trades (roofing, windows, doors) and pilot artificial‑intelligence tools for plan‑review tasks. McAndrew also said the department will publish a public building‑performance dashboard this fall showing permit review times and review‑cycle counts to increase transparency.
Commissioners praised staff’s recovery efforts and asked about metrics. McAndrew said building‑permit revenues (exclusive of storm waivers) are roughly 20% ahead year to date compared with last year, driven by remodeling and repair activity rather than new subdivisions; he cautioned revenue is not a direct proxy for new‑home construction in unincorporated areas. No policy votes were taken; staff said they will return with updates on the STR rollout, permitting pilots and a planned RFP to create a coordinated recovery‑services pool for municipalities.
