Latest news with #FloridaBuildingCode
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
2025 hurricane season prep: How to safely install shutters, tips on maintenance
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 with the peak of the season on Sept. 10. The most activity happens between mid-August and mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center. The key to getting through storm season is being prepared. Here are some important tips on hurricane shutters: Do a trial run now to make sure your shutter system is functioning properly. If you have removable panels, get them out to see if any are missing or bent. Make sure you have enough mounting fasteners. If not, hardware stores often carry extras. Make sure mounting tracks are clean and debris-free. Apply some light machine oil to lubricate parts and deter rust. Permanently applied shutter systems, such as roll-up, Bahama or accordion shutters should be serviced yearly (twice yearly, if you live on the beach) by a professional, especially if the system is motorized. If rollers are accessible, they can be sprayed with aerosol 'white grease,' according to Bill Feeley, president of the International Hurricane Protection Association. All motors should be professionally serviced. Owners of newly built homes with shutter systems should make sure their builder demonstrates how to use the system and that all parts are provided before moving in. Missing or wrong-sized components are common, according to Feeley. 'The homeowner assumes they fit and then when the storm is bearing down, they find out they don't,' he said. International Hurricane Protection Association: (844) 516-4472, American Shutter Systems Association: (800) 432-2204, Shutter orders and backlogs rise near the height of storm season. So the time to choose your coverings, if you haven't already, is now. The least expensive option is plywood. Plywood does not meet Florida Building Code specifications unless it's installed according to code; however, plywood does not meet building codes in most Palm Beach County jurisdictions. However, if a storm is close and survival is the goal, follow instructions in the accompanying graphic for correct installation. Plywood comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets. Measure windows and doors, adding 8 inches to each measurement for a 4-inch overhang. (If your window has an exterior sill, rest the plywood on the sill and add 4 inches to the other 3 sides.) Make your shutters now, before a storm approaches. Label them, for example 'east dining room' and waterproof with sealant or paint. Store plywood off the ground. Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers weather, real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@ Help support our local journalism; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane season 2025: Tips installing shutters, accordion on windows
Miami Herald
27-02-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Looking for a job that can pay you more than $100,000 a year? Broward County is hiring
Broward County government is hiring, and some jobs can pay more than $100,000 a year. Here's a look at the job opportunities in Broward: BROWARD COUNTY GOVERNMENT JOBS The Broward County careers page lists the following jobs with salaries that can pay annual salaries of more than $100,000: Accounting Manager/Accounts Payable Description: Supervises the activities of professional and clerical staff in the management of the accounting and financial reporting sections in the Finance Division. Salary: $93,891.97 to $149,851.88 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications MORE: What are the hot jobs in Miami that pay at least $80,000? See the city's hiring list Behavioral Health Clinician, Broward Addiction Recovery Center Description: Provides counseling, screening, assessment and intervention to individuals and families. Salary: $65,401.26 to $104,381.37 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Construction Project Management Supervisor Description: Supervises other project managers and engineering technicians; performs reviews and oversight of projects managed by subordinates; reviews plans and specifications, engineering calculations, pay applications, invoices and Florida Building Code. Manages and monitors construction contractors and consultants; develops, administers and negotiates construction and consultant contracts, master plan studies, amendments, change orders and work authorizations. Salary: $100,934.03 to $161,090.91 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Construction Project Manager Description: Exercises independent judgment in the application of the principles and practices of planning, design, construction and administration of a variety of construction projects. Assignments usually are received in the form of broad instructions or general program objectives. Supervision may be exercised over professional architects, engineers, sub-professional assistants, construction, inspection, maintenance or related clerical operations. Salary: $87,341.79 to $139,397.61 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Cyber Security Junior Analyst Description: Analyzes computer application programs and supports computer hardware devices. Works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings. Salary: $75,579.37 to $120,624.62 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Engineering Unit Supervisor - Traffic Engineering Division Description: The Engineering Unit Supervisor oversees the Traffic Engineering Study Section, which includes licensed engineers, engineering technicians, data aides, and planners. This role involves providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members, ensuring efficient workflows, adherence to project timelines, and the successful completion of assigned projects. The supervisor manages the preparation and review of traffic studies, including signal warrant analyses, all-way stop control evaluations, safety studies, and traffic calming initiatives, ensuring compliance with FDOT standards and guidelines. Salary: $100,934.03 to $161,090.91 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications ERP Module Lead-Finance Description: This position is responsible for ensuring the business processes and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems configuration are aligned by serving as the liaison between users of the ERP system and the ERP support center. Salary: $87,341.79 to $139,397.61 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Facilities Maintenance Superintendent Description: Responsible for managing maintenance and repair activities for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and related facilities in a 24/7 environment. Work involves providing coordination and supervision to subordinate supervisors over skilled trades persons and labor crew to implement the airport maintenance program, which includes maintaining the airport terminals, runways, roadways, and systems by FAA regulations and County policies and procedures. Salary: $81,248.38 to $129,671.76 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Human Resources Generalist - Libraries Division Description: The jobholder will assist the HRO in providing HR support services to the Libraries Director's Office and the Division's Managers and employees. Responsibilities for the HR Generalist involve assisting with all HR functions including recruitment, labor relations, performance management, compensation analysis, training, benefit and wellness program coordination, and departmental FMLA and Worker's Compensation administration. Salary: $70,307.14 ro $112,209.06 Deadline: 5 p.m. Feb. 27, 2025 Licensed Engineer Description: Advanced professional and supervisory engineering work in the design and review of a wide variety of engineering and environmental projects. Salary: $87,341.79 to $139,397.61 Deadline: 5 p.m. March 7, 2025 Licensed Engineer (Civil/Structural) - Parks Planning & Design Description: In charge of managing design and permitting of site utilities and development, structures, shoreline hardening, and marine docking facilities for various site and building capital improvement and repair projects. Salary: $87,341.79 to $139,397.61 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Project Manager (E911 Section) Description: This position will provide project management leadership over key E911 technology projects and assist with project activities associated with Information Technology Programs within E911. The E911 Section of the Communications and Technology Division is responsible for the implementation of lifecycle, strategic, and operational projects to enhance the overall call-handling process for over 1.3 million 911 and Text to 911 calls and over eight hundred thousand non-emergency calls annually by all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) in Broward County. Salary: $87,341.79 to $139,397.61 Deadline: 5 p.m. March 10, 2025 Purchasing Agent Description: Performs specialized work in a large central purchasing operation with responsibility to bind the county for the purchase of commodities and/or services up to an authorized threshold. Salary: $75,579.37 to $120,624.62 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications SCADA Systems/Operational Technology (OT) Administrator Description: The SCADA Systems/Operational Technology (OT) Administrator for the Water and Wastewater Operations Division administers the daily operations of the agency's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems and programming activities. Salary: $108,504.42 to $173,172.76 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Senior Planner for Port Everglades Description: The Senior Planner at Port Everglades is responsible for assisting with the execution, development and implementation of the Planning Section's work, projects and studies. Salary: $70,307.14 - $112,209.06 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Staff Engineer Description: Coordinates between Broward County Public Works, other county agencies, county municipalities and state agencies to comply with requirements of the state's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, permit and the interlocal agreements regarding shared responsibilities. Salary: $70,307.14 to $112,209.06 Deadline: 5 p.m. March 7, 2025 Staff Engineer - Traffic Engineering Division Description: The Staff Engineer position is an entry to intermediate-level traffic signal timing engineer. A considerable amount of field work is required to perform various traffic signal related assignments. Salary: $70,307.14 to $112,209.06 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Surveyor - Port Everglades Description: Collects field survey data, produce survey drawings and coordinates stakeouts for utility locations. Salary: $81,248.38 to $129,671.76 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Systems Network Analyst Senior - Libraries Information Technology Description: Provides hands-on technical support in a multi-platform and geographically dispersed environment. This position is responsible for infrastructure management, support, and troubleshooting, as well as supporting hardware, software, networking and third-party products. Salary: $81,248.38 - $129,671.76 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Systems Network Analyst, Senior Description: Performs advanced professional, technical and analytical work with administrative responsibility in automation systems implementation and development. Salary: $81,248.38 to $129,671.76 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications Veterinarian Description: Provides high quality medical and surgical care for animals. Works under administrative supervision, developing and implementing programs within organizational policies and reports major activities to executive level administrators through conferences and reports. Salary: $108,504.42 to $173,172.76 Deadline: Continuously accepting applications
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nearly 11,000 code cases opened in St. Pete, residents question inspection process
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg residents in the Shore Acres community say city officials are blanketing the neighborhood with code enforcement notices without fully assessing whether there was actual damage to the home. Many are voicing concerns that the open code cases could be detrimental and potentially cloud the title of their home. 'There is nothing we can do to protect you': St. Pete leaders want state to regulate crane safety Code enforcement recently issued the notices in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 'They just came through here and put these code violations on every home that they thought was damaged when we can prove they weren't damaged,' said Joey Romanik, a realtor with The Romanik Group. Romanik is also a Shore Acres homeowner and says his street never flooded during the storms, however, he received a notice from code enforcement about an open case. 'It has not been very difficult for us to have that code changed from an active violation to an invalid complaint,' Romanik said. 'However, the code violation still shows up on the title search.' On Thursday, several homeowners took their complaints directly to the city council. 'I'm here today to talk about the 'Scarlet C',' said Kevin Batdorf, president of the Shore Acres Civic Association. 'Future buyers will use this data to identify houses that flooded. Unfortunately, properties that did not flood will also carry the stigma, and they will mistakenly be identified as having flooded.' According to city officials, nearly 11,000 code cases have been opened to monitor compliance with city code and FEMA regulations. Brokers and real estate agents are concerned about long-lasting implications if a code enforcement case is documented as public record. 'It could cause a transaction to fall apart,' said Liane Jamason, a broker for Corcoran Dwellings Real Estate. 'The city is falsely claiming that this does not affect a real estate transaction and I'm a broker of 18 years saying, yes it does.' The City of St. Petersburg issued the following statement: The City's Codes Compliance Assistance Department has initiated codes cases at properties that were identified through damage assessments after Hurricanes Helene and Milton to monitor compliance with city code and FEMA regulations. This includes properties both in and outside of flood hazard areas that experienced storm damage. These cases are being initiated to ensure compliance with city and FEMA requirements by ensuring permits are obtained for necessary repairs, verify permits are closed out with all required inspections to ensure compliance with Florida Building Code, and protect potential buyers from purchasing a property that has been repaired without the required permits and/or inspections being completed. Please note, an active codes case does not impact the ability for a property to be sold or transferred to a new owner and a violation notice would only be issued if work is completed at a property without first obtaining the required permits. If an owner is cited for work without permits, they would go through the enforcement process and cases would go before the Code Enforcement Board and Special Magistrate prior to any liens being placed against the property for non-compliance. At this stage in the process, 63 violation notices have been issued. All the violation notices are within their provided compliance time, so no enforcement action has been taken at this time. The City's goal is to help residents through this process, prevent properties from being rehabilitated without permits and sold to unsuspecting buyers, and ensure compliance with FEMA regulations. 10,898 code cases have been opened to monitor compliance with city code and FEMA regulations. Codes cases are routinely initiated against properties to determine whether violations of city code exist. Notice to property owners is required once a violation is observed, and due process is then provided to the property owner to cure the violation prior to any enforcement action. The enforcement process is outlined in Chapter 162 of state statute. It is important to understand that these are codes cases, not violations, that have been entered into our case management system for monitoring purposes. Code violations have only been issued when work has been observed without approved permits. To ensure compliance with FEMA regulations and city code, these monitoring cases were established based on damage assessment inspections that occurred after Helene and Milton. Due to the volume of cases, and available resources, cases were scheduled across a four-week period to conduct the initial assessment. This plan was overviewed during a committee meeting held to review the 49% FEMA regulations. We have been conducting inspections for nearly two weeks and notifying residents as needed that they are in violation and must obtain permits for completed repairs. Properties that have permits do not have violations. We were intentional with this process and in any case that has an approved permit, those details are clearly documented in the case. The case type, which we use internally for reporting purposes, gets changed to a 'Post Disaster Permit Emergency Permit.' If the permit has all final inspections, the case is closed. If the permit inspections have not been completed yet, the status of the permit is checked every 30 days, and the case is closed once the permit receives all final inspections. All codes cases, and details within them, are available via the City's website. Thousands of cases get initiated every year when residents express concern about potential code violations in the city and our standard process is to initiate the case and verify if violations exist. If we do not find violations, the case is documented as such and closed out. At the time that we identify violations, we then initiate the process to notify the owner of the property. While in greater scale, the same process is being applied in this situation. The goal throughout this process is to be proactive and assist residents with taking the right steps to comply with these requirements, while also protecting current and future residents and the City's flood insurance discount. We understand that residents may have questions about this process and encourage them to contact us at codes@ or 727.893.7373. More information can also be found on the City's Damage Assessment Codes Cases webpage here – City of St. Petersburg Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
St. Pete City Council to receive updated report on thousands of open code enforcement cases
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., (WFLA) – St. Petersburg City Council will get an updated report from code enforcement on storm-damaged properties. This comes a few days after some people found out they had open code enforcement cases at their homes but were never notified. Normally, the number of open code cases is around 1,000-2,000. In January, that number went up to almost 11,000. This news left a lot of homeowners shocked when they checked their homes or rental properties. 'To me, that's the biggest issue. Apparently, there are 11,000 active investigations and citizens don't know this,' Matt Weidner said. 'This was a bit of an overreach; it's like big brother,' said Kevin Batdorf, President of the Shore Acres Civic Association. 'It's just unbelievable': Dunedin army veteran struggling with FEMA, insurance after storms There are thousands of open cases all over, including homes in Eden Isles and Shore Acres. 'Disappointment, there's better ways of handling things,' said homeowner, Rollo Christensen. A city representative sent 8 On Your Side a statement about the open code cases: 'The City's Codes Compliance Assistance Department has initiated codes cases at properties that were identified through damage assessments after Hurricanes Helene and Milton to monitor compliance with city code and FEMA regulations. These cases are being initiated to ensure compliance with city and FEMA requirements by ensuring permits are obtained for necessary repairs, verify permits are closed out with all required inspections to ensure compliance with Florida Building Code, and protect potential buyers from purchasing a property that has been repaired without the required permits and/or inspections being completed.' St. Pete city representative All of these open cases have left some residents feeling uneasy. 'A ghost chase or a witch hunt or however you want to put it, it just doesn't seem like it's a productive way to make sure people are pulling permits for the houses that were damaged by the flood,' Christensen said. 'Will we get through it? I think there's going to be some issues down the road, but you know we just keep plugging on. It's just one more layer of bureaucracy on top of everything else these people are going through,' Batdorf said. The meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, at City Hall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘One more layer of bureaucracy': Why is there a surge in open St. Pete code cases?
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Homes and businesses were damaged by hurricanes; properties left in shambles. Months later, another storm cloud is brewing in St. Petersburg, as code enforcement cases begin to rain down. Even some people, who had little to no damage, are dealing with the fallout. And some told us, they were never notified they were under investigation. 'Lucy's Law' introduced to Florida house to mandate boating safety training after teen's death You can see it typically ranges from 1,000-2,000, and then in January, that number skyrockets to nearly 11,000 open cases. Here is a look at the number of open code cases in St. Petersburg broken down per month: Rollo Christensen got a whiff of this, so he checked his own home and a few of his rental properties in Shore Acres. 'Disappointment, there's better ways of handling things,' said Christenson. 'A ghost chase or a witch hunt or however you want to put it, it just doesn't seem like it's a productive way to make sure people are pulling permits for the houses that were damaged by the flood.' Matthew Weidner lives out in Eden Isles and heard about this being an issue out in Shore Acres, so he decided to check to see if his own home had an open code case, and it did. Weidner said he's worried about the lack of transparency. 'To me, that's the biggest issue,' said Weidner. 'Apparently there are 11,000 active investigations and citizens don't know this.' Cruise ship with more than 90 sick following outbreak docks in Tampa So what is going on? A city representative sent 8 On Your Side the following statement: 'The City's Codes Compliance Assistance Department has initiated codes cases at properties that were identified through damage assessments after Hurricanes Helene and Milton to monitor compliance with city code and FEMA regulations. This includes properties both in and outside of flood hazard areas that experienced storm damage. These cases are being initiated to ensure compliance with city and FEMA requirements by ensuring permits are obtained for necessary repairs, verify permits are closed out with all required inspections to ensure compliance with Florida Building Code, and protect potential buyers from purchasing a property that has been repaired without the required permits and/or inspections being completed. Please note, an active codes case does not impact the ability for a property to be sold or transferred to a new owner and a violation notice would only be issued if work is completed at a property without first obtaining the required permits. If an owner is cited for work without permits, they would go through the enforcement process and cases would go before the Code Enforcement Board and Special Magistrate prior to any liens being placed against the property for non-compliance. At this stage in the process, 63 violation notices have been issued. All the violation notices are within their provided compliance time, so no enforcement action has been taken at this time. The City's goal is to help residents through this process, prevent properties from being rehabilitated without permits and sold to unsuspecting buyers, and ensure compliance with FEMA regulations. Codes cases are routinely initiated against properties to determine whether violations of city code exist. Notice to property owners is required once a violation is observed, and due process is then provided to the property owner to cure the violation prior to any enforcement action. The enforcement process is outlined in Chapter 162 of state statute. It is important to understand that these are codes cases, not violations, that have been entered into our case management system for monitoring purposes. Code violations have only been issued when work has been observed without approved permits. To ensure compliance with FEMA regulations and city code, these monitoring cases were established based on damage assessment inspections that occurred after Helene and Milton. Due to the volume of cases, and available resources, cases were scheduled across a four-week period to conduct the initial assessment. This plan was overviewed during a committee meeting held to review the 49% FEMA regulations. We have been conducting inspections for nearly two weeks and notifying residents as needed that they are in violation and must obtain permits for completed repairs. Properties that have permits do not have violations. We were intentional with this process and in any case that has an approved permit, those details are clearly documented in the case. The case type, which we use internally for reporting purposes, gets changed to a 'Post Disaster Permit Emergency Permit.' If the permit has all final inspections, the case is closed. If the permit inspections have not been completed yet, the status of the permit is checked every 30 days, and the case is closed once the permit receives all final inspections. All codes cases, and details within them, are available via the City's website. Thousands of cases get initiated every year when residents express concern about potential code violations in the city and our standard process is to initiate the case and verify if violations exist. If we do not find violations, the case is documented as such and closed out. At the time that we identify violations, we then initiate the process to notify the owner of the property. While in greater scale, the same process is being applied in this situation. The goal throughout this process is to be proactive and assist residents with taking the right steps to comply with these requirements, while also protecting current and future residents and the City's flood insurance discount. We understand that residents may have questions about this process and encourage them to contact us at codes@ or 727.893.7373.' Shore Acres Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf said, 'This was a bit of an overreach, it's like Big Brother.' Batdorf said it's a good idea, but poorly executed. 'Will we get through it?' he rhetorically asked. 'I think there's going to be some issues down the road, but you know we just keep plugging on.' 'It's just one more layer of bureaucracy on top of everything else these people are going through,' Batdorf said. Click here to check to see if you're St. Pete home has an open code enforcement case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
