City of Venice to expedite permitting, taking permit applications online

The City of Venice Building Department is able to take permit applications online for all work. Storm repair permits will be expedited if you put “storm damage” as the first words in “description of work.”

All permit applications are to be submitted online at www.venicegov.com/government/permitting . If you do not have working Internet or a computer, there are stations in the lobby of the Building Department at Venice City Hall set to reopen Wednesday, Oct. 5. Please make sure to bring electronic files with you on a thumb drive.

The City will be conducting damage assessments until all structures have been assessed. Until the assessments have been completed, the total number of inspections that can be done in a day may be limited. If you are unable to schedule an inspection for the next day, the system will allow you to schedule for the next available day automatically.

Normal inspection requests can be scheduled starting Tuesday, Oct. 4. These can be scheduled online, or via text message with Selectron (see the City Building Department page at www.venicegov.com/government/building-and-code for more info). Please try to schedule via one of the online methods to allow our permitting staff to focus on processing of permit applications.

Please be aware of unlicensed contractors trying to do work. Permits can only be issued to state and locally licensed contractors. If someone is willing to work without getting a permit, or asking you to get one as owner for them, beware. Working with unlicensed contractors is against the law in Florida and can subject you to code enforcement fines, and potentially work that is not in compliance with State and Local codes. Always verify the contractor’s license and insurance.

If in doubt, you can call the Building Department at 941-882-7457 or 941-882-7232 to help you avoid unlicensed contractors who will flood the area. Never pay for the work in advance, or pay out for completion without confirmation of all required inspections being approved. The City will issue a Certificate of Completion upon request if the requirements for that permit have been satisfied.