Tamarac to consider ordinance adopting state milestone‑inspection program for older condominium and threshold buildings

City building officials on Monday presented an ordinance (first reading) to establish a building safety inspection program for qualifying structures as required by state and county policy. Tony Palacios, the city’s building director and building official, said the measure implements milestone inspections for buildings 25 years or older and is intended to protect life and property by ensuring structural and electrical integrity.

Palacios said the ordinance references Florida Statutes 553.899, the Florida Building Code for existing buildings chapter 18, and Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals administrative provisions. Qualifying buildings include condominiums, co‑ops and threshold buildings; county lists identifying qualifying addresses will be provided to local building departments, typically in May or June.

Under the program, licensed Florida engineers or architects perform the inspections, and condominium owners or associations must submit signed and sealed reports within 180 days of certified‑mail notice. If repairs are required, work must begin within 365 days and repair permits are required. Palacios said noncompliance can be referred to a special magistrate or the county Unsafe Structures Board, and appeals to the Board of Rules and Appeals must be filed within 30 days.

Palacios said 2023 was a hybrid year for notification (including 25‑, 40‑ and 50‑year thresholds), and most buildings have already been notified; the city will report building‑integrity data to the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation on or before Dec. 31.

The item was presented for first reading; no commission vote was taken at the workshop.