Hurricane Helene & Milton - Permitting Information

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This information page will be continue to be updated as new information becomes available. For all storm-related information, please visit the Hurricane Helene Information Page and Hurricane Milton Information Page.

UPDATED DECEMBER 12, 2024

Post Hurricane PermittingClickable link to download post hurricane permitting informational flyer.

The Tarpon Springs Building and Emergency Management Departments have been collaborating closely with county, state, and FEMA partners to address the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The City has been given guidance from FEMA to allow hurricane specific permit applications to advance more quickly under enhances review protocols. Download the informational flyer for more information on the post hurricane permitting process.

We want to express our deep gratitude to the community for its patience and resilience during these challenging times. We remain committee to providing thorough and compassionate support to all affected residents as we navigate the complex requirements of FEMA and the State of Florida together.

Please contact the Building Department with any questions at 727-942-5617 or by email at dsinfo@ctsfl.us.

Substantial Improvement or Substantial Damage Application

Rebuilding your home after the storm? Adding on, renovating, or remodeling?

If your home or business is below the 100-year flood elevation, the City of Tarpon Springs has flood damage prevention regulations that may affect how you remodel, renovate, or add on to your building. If your home or business sustained structural and/or interior damage, these regulations may affect how you rebuild. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which helps to protect your life and investment from future flood damages, requires these laws and the City is required to adopt and enforce these laws in order for federally backed flood insurance to be made available to residents and property owners.

More information is available here: Substantial Improvement or Substantial Damage Application

Additional FEMA Information: FEMA Fact Sheet - Permits Required Before Rebuilding

Code Provision Enforcement Changes - Updated 10/18/2024

To assist residents in post-Helene and Milton recovery efforts, the City, under the emergency declaration, is suspending enforcement of the following code provisions and providing expedited permitting assistance.

  • The minimum 6-week lease for tourist homes/short-term rentals is waived.
  • RV's and travel trailers and other similar units may be used for temporary living. The RV/travel trailer must be on private property and not within the public right-of-way (streets and sidewalks).
    • Applies only to properties with a permanent residential structure and the resident of the permanent structure must live in the temporary structure.
    • The temporary structure is allowed to remain while repairs/replacements are underway and until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued OR up to 3 years from the date of the state's emergency declaration (whichever is less).
    • The temporary structure should be on the property where storm damage occurred, however, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for vacant properties in close proximity under the same ownership.
  • PODs for storing personal items onsite can be located on private property longer than 90 days and do not require a temporary use permit.
  • Mobile food trucks may operate in any zoning district if they comply with the remaining requirements of LDC Section 56.05, excluding subsection (F).

For more information on these provisions click here.

Required Electrical Safety Inspections

It has come to our attention that in some instances the power company (Duke Energy) is not restoring power to homes and businesses that were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton until an electrical safety inspection has been accomplished and approved. The City of Tarpon Springs does not offer this service. A licensed electrician will be required to complete the inspection and provide the results to the City of Tarpon Springs. Upon results being forwarded to the City, we can provide a release to Duke Energy.

Under the current conditions, the City, will be offering a “no cost” permit for this situation. The licensed electrical contractor will still need to be registered with the City of Tarpon Springs and provide insurance certificates and workers comp or workers comp exempt as normally would be required. The permitting process will be standard with the exception that the permits will be at no cost, and we are expediting the application times for these applications.

These permit applications will not require an in-person inspection from our staff to help expedite the turnaround times for these applications.

Please click here to download the form and email the completed form to dsinfo@ctsfl.us.

Additional Building Permit Information:

This information page will be continue to be updated as new information becomes available. For all storm-related information, please visit the Hurricane Helene Information Page and Hurricane Milton Information Page.

UPDATED DECEMBER 12, 2024

Post Hurricane PermittingClickable link to download post hurricane permitting informational flyer.

The Tarpon Springs Building and Emergency Management Departments have been collaborating closely with county, state, and FEMA partners to address the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The City has been given guidance from FEMA to allow hurricane specific permit applications to advance more quickly under enhances review protocols. Download the informational flyer for more information on the post hurricane permitting process.

We want to express our deep gratitude to the community for its patience and resilience during these challenging times. We remain committee to providing thorough and compassionate support to all affected residents as we navigate the complex requirements of FEMA and the State of Florida together.

Please contact the Building Department with any questions at 727-942-5617 or by email at dsinfo@ctsfl.us.

Substantial Improvement or Substantial Damage Application

Rebuilding your home after the storm? Adding on, renovating, or remodeling?

If your home or business is below the 100-year flood elevation, the City of Tarpon Springs has flood damage prevention regulations that may affect how you remodel, renovate, or add on to your building. If your home or business sustained structural and/or interior damage, these regulations may affect how you rebuild. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which helps to protect your life and investment from future flood damages, requires these laws and the City is required to adopt and enforce these laws in order for federally backed flood insurance to be made available to residents and property owners.

More information is available here: Substantial Improvement or Substantial Damage Application

Additional FEMA Information: FEMA Fact Sheet - Permits Required Before Rebuilding

Code Provision Enforcement Changes - Updated 10/18/2024

To assist residents in post-Helene and Milton recovery efforts, the City, under the emergency declaration, is suspending enforcement of the following code provisions and providing expedited permitting assistance.

  • The minimum 6-week lease for tourist homes/short-term rentals is waived.
  • RV's and travel trailers and other similar units may be used for temporary living. The RV/travel trailer must be on private property and not within the public right-of-way (streets and sidewalks).
    • Applies only to properties with a permanent residential structure and the resident of the permanent structure must live in the temporary structure.
    • The temporary structure is allowed to remain while repairs/replacements are underway and until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued OR up to 3 years from the date of the state's emergency declaration (whichever is less).
    • The temporary structure should be on the property where storm damage occurred, however, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for vacant properties in close proximity under the same ownership.
  • PODs for storing personal items onsite can be located on private property longer than 90 days and do not require a temporary use permit.
  • Mobile food trucks may operate in any zoning district if they comply with the remaining requirements of LDC Section 56.05, excluding subsection (F).

For more information on these provisions click here.

Required Electrical Safety Inspections

It has come to our attention that in some instances the power company (Duke Energy) is not restoring power to homes and businesses that were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton until an electrical safety inspection has been accomplished and approved. The City of Tarpon Springs does not offer this service. A licensed electrician will be required to complete the inspection and provide the results to the City of Tarpon Springs. Upon results being forwarded to the City, we can provide a release to Duke Energy.

Under the current conditions, the City, will be offering a “no cost” permit for this situation. The licensed electrical contractor will still need to be registered with the City of Tarpon Springs and provide insurance certificates and workers comp or workers comp exempt as normally would be required. The permitting process will be standard with the exception that the permits will be at no cost, and we are expediting the application times for these applications.

These permit applications will not require an in-person inspection from our staff to help expedite the turnaround times for these applications.

Please click here to download the form and email the completed form to dsinfo@ctsfl.us.

Additional Building Permit Information:

Page last updated: 12 Dec 2024, 11:41 AM