Resident says Largo incorrectly denied owner-builder permit for mobile-home repairs; mayor asks staff to investigate

At the Jan. 21 commission meeting, Largo resident Dave Jensen asked the city to resolve a permitting hold he said was preventing necessary repairs to his mobile home following storm damage.

Jensen said his Florida room was ripped off by a recent storm (referenced as Milton). He said he obtained plans from a certified engineer (costing $1,200), submitted an owner-builder permit application on Dec. 23 and completed required affidavits. Jensen said the permit portal and the permitting office had not provided timely, usable guidance, and that the city's permitting staff told him he did not qualify as an owner-builder because he does not own the land where the mobile home sits.

Jensen quoted what he said is clear state statutory language that ‘‘the term owner of property includes the owner of a mobile home situated on a leased lot’’ and said the city's permitting decision appears inconsistent with that law. He also said the permitting portal made it difficult to submit follow-up information and that permitting staff have a policy of not answering phone calls from the public, which hampered resolution. Jensen asked the commission to intervene.

Mayor Brown asked staff to provide a report and to contact Jensen to try to resolve the matter; later in the meeting staff acknowledged they were working to address the situation and that they would be in touch. Jensen requested a phone call that evening or the following day.