Florida has passed several new construction trade laws effective July 1 – August 1, 2025. Here’s what you need to know:

• HB 683 – Construction Regulations: Virtual inspections, streamlined permitting, private providers, and automatic approvals.

• HB 551 – Fire Safety Permitting: Fast-track permits for fire alarm and sprinkler systems, simplified documentation, and refund penalties.

• HB 913 – Condominium Safety: Milestone inspections, reserve study reforms, increased transparency, and online posting requirements.

• HB 735 / SB 1142 – Contractor Licensing Reform: Eliminates local licensing, introduces new specialty contractor categories.

• HB 1035 – Residential Permitting: 5-day permit turnaround for small jobs, deemed approvals, and disaster-area fast-tracking.

• SB 180 – Post-Storm Rebuilding: Blocks moratoriums, requires emergency permitting plans, and caps fees.

New Specialty Contractor Categories (SB 1142)

Florida will create licenses for: structural aluminum/screens, marine construction (seawalls, docks, pile driving), masonry/steel/precast concrete, rooftop solar heating, windows/doors (including hurricane protection), and plaster/lath/structural carpentry.

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation is offering FREE seminars and webinars for Florida employers, contractors, and business representatives.

✅ Review Workers’ Compensation laws & requirements
✅ Learn OSHA safety standards & compliance tips
✅ Understand contractor responsibilities & exemptions

CEUs Available: Contractors licensed by the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board and Electrical Contractors Licensing Board can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by completing these sessions.

Upcoming Webinar Dates (2:00 – 3:00 PM ET):

• October 8–9, 2025

• January 14–15, 2026

• April 8–9, 2026

Advance registration required. Email your completed form to BOCSeminars@MyFloridaCFO.com or fax (850) 484-5111.

Click here to view the flyer.
Click here to download the registration form.

Click Here for a copy of the study

A message from Sarasota County regarding an update on the ongoing Sarasota County Impact Fee Study:

“The study is part of our continued efforts to ensure that our fee structures remain data-driven and aligned with both current conditions and the future needs of our growing community.

The study includes a comprehensive evaluation of the methodologies used to calculate impact fees across various sectors, including Parks, Library, Fire, Emergency Management Services, Law, Justice Facilities and General Government. The goal is to ensure fees are aligned with infrastructure demands generated by new development, while maintaining transparency and consistency in the application of these fees.

As part of this process, we invite you to participate in the following two public workshops, which will provide an opportunity to learn more about the study and offer feedback:

Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

• Sarasota Operations Center, Conference Room BOB 2

Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

• Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library

Attendance and input are encouraged at these sessions, as your feedback is a valuable part of the process.”

A big thank you to everyone who attended our Smart Workforce Solutions for Plumbing Professionals workshop on August 21 at EVEN Hotel Sarasota Lakewood Ranch! We had an incredible evening exploring HR strategies, operational systems, compliance, and benefits planning to help plumbing businesses grow smarter and stronger.

A special thank you to our expert speakers, Bill & Jeff Rhodes of CrossRhodes Consulting, LLC, for sharing their 30+ years of industry knowledge and practical insights with our members. Your guidance and expertise made the event truly valuable!

We hope everyone walked away with actionable tips to strengthen their teams, streamline operations, and protect their businesses for the long term.

At this meeting CrossRhodes Consulting referenced the September 3rd event they will be facilitating for MACCA, covering Capital, Growth & Exit Strategies. MACCA will be extending the member rate to PHCC members at $35 when you register with this link. There is also more information below along with the event flyer.

Septic engineering is essential in Florida for safe, compliant wastewater management. From site evaluations and septic site plans to advanced treatment systems like Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) and Performance-Based Treatment Systems (PBTS), proper design ensures environmental protection and regulatory compliance. Contractors, homeowners, and property managers all benefit from understanding system layouts, cross-section drainage plans, and construction specifications to prevent failures and costly mistakes.

Working with a licensed Florida engineer is key to navigating the state’s unique soil conditions, high water tables, and regulatory requirements. Certified PBTS and ATU systems, thorough site and soil evaluations, and private provider inspections help ensure your septic system functions efficiently and meets all legal standards. Whether installing a new system, upgrading an existing one, or scheduling inspections, informed decisions now can save time, money, and potential headaches in the long run. Click here to read more.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) introduces major federal tax changes affecting construction and contracting businesses. Key updates include permanent 100% bonus depreciation, an increased Section 179 expensing limit of $2.5M, full expensing for certain U.S. production property, and the permanent 20% pass-through business deduction. Other important changes include expanded interest deductions, a temporary rise in the SALT cap, restored R&D expense deductions, and new rules allowing income deferral for larger residential projects.

Many of these provisions are front-loaded through 2028, including a temporary overtime deduction and enhanced deductions for tips, auto loan interest, and estate planning. Contractors and business owners should review these changes with their tax professional to take full advantage before key benefits phase out and ensure their business captures all available tax savings. Click here to read more.

Septic inspections are a vital part of any project involving onsite wastewater treatment systems, whether installing new or replacing old ones. The process typically involves three key phases: an initial inspection to assess soil conditions, site layout, and code compliance; a mid-project inspection to check tank placement, drain-field installation, and materials; and a final inspection before backfilling, which includes leak testing, flow checks, and grading verification. Understanding these steps helps contractors catch issues early, avoid costly rework, and maintain compliance with local regulations. Common red flags that cause inspection failures include improper slope, incorrect setback distances, compacted soil, damaged tanks, and missing components—issues that can be prevented with careful preparation and use of checklists.

Beyond technical requirements, successful inspections depend on clear communication and smart scheduling. Using digital project management tools, holding pre-inspection meetings, documenting progress, and assigning a point of contact streamline coordination between contractors, inspectors, and authorities. Planning inspections around project milestones, booking in advance, and coordinating with subcontractors prevent costly bottlenecks. By combining strong planning with proactive communication, contractors can ensure smooth inspections, minimize delays, and keep projects on track. For additional support, firms like Florida Engineering LLC provide expert guidance in septic system design, permitting, and inspection compliance. Click here to read more.

In construction, insurance is a vital tool for managing risks, but not all policies function the same way. Occurrence-based policies cover incidents that happen during the policy period, regardless of when a claim is filed. This makes them particularly valuable for long-tail risks where damage or injury may appear years after project completion. Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies are the most common example, protecting against bodily injury, property damage, and certain personal or advertising injuries arising from work performed during the coverage period. Contractors benefit from occurrence-based coverage because it provides lasting protection, though maintaining detailed records is essential to confirm coverage for past incidents.

On the other hand, claims-made policies only cover claims reported during the policy period (or an extended reporting period) for incidents occurring after the policy’s retroactive date. These policies are typically used for professional liability or errors and omissions (E&O) coverage for design professionals, engineers, and contractors offering design-build services. Because design flaws may surface long after a project is completed, maintaining continuous claims-made coverage is critical; lapses or carrier changes without prior acts coverage can leave significant gaps. Ultimately, contractors often need both types of coverage—occurrence-based for general liability and claims-made for professional liability—to ensure comprehensive protection against construction-related risks. Click here to read more.

Proper placement of wells and septic systems is critical for protecting Florida’s drinking water and environment. The 2025 Florida regulations outline clear minimum distances between wells, septic tanks, drainfields, and property features to ensure groundwater safety. For example, private potable wells must be at least 75 feet from septic systems, while public potable wells serving more than 2,000 gallons per day require a 200-foot separation. Septic systems must also maintain setbacks such as 5 feet from buildings and property lines and 75 feet from surface or tidal waters.

In addition to horizontal setbacks, Florida requires at least 24 inches of vertical separation from the drainfield to the water table, soil suitability evaluations, and a 50% reserve drainfield area for future needs. A valid septic permit from the county health department is required before installation, including site evaluations and post-installation inspections. Local jurisdictions may enforce stricter rules—particularly in sensitive areas such as spring protection zones or the Florida Keys. By following Chapter 62-6, F.A.C., working with licensed professionals, and consulting local ordinances, contractors and homeowners can ensure new systems are compliant, efficient, and protective of Florida’s water resources. Click here for more information.

The Florida Building Commission has released the actions and outcomes from the September 2025 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings regarding glitch proposals to the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code. These proposals reflect changes from the 2025 Legislative Session (HB 683, HB 551, HB 913, and SB 180).

The Second 45-Day Comment Period is now open and runs September 11 – October 25, 2025 (midnight deadline). Contractors, engineers, and all interested parties are encouraged to review the TAC reports and submit comments before the deadline.

 Review TAC Meeting Minutes & Reports:
Florida Building Code Development Process – TAC Reports

✉️ Submit Comments to:
Mr. Mo Madani
Email: mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com

Questions? Call 850-487-1824