An alternate path through plan review and inspections, coordinated the right way.
Florida's Private Provider Program, established under Fla. Stat. 553.791, lets a property owner use a licensed private engineer or architect to perform plan review and/or required inspections on eligible permits, alongside — not instead of — the local building department. Gold Standard Builder Services coordinates that process end to end: the paperwork the jurisdiction requires, the handoffs between the private provider and the AHJ, and the documentation that keeps everyone on the same page.
A licensed private provider steps into part of the review process — the jurisdiction doesn't step out.
Fla. Stat. 553.791 gives property owners a choice most people don't realize they have: instead of waiting solely on the local building department's plan review queue or inspection schedule, they can engage a licensed private provider to perform that work on eligible permit types. The private provider is still accountable to the same code requirements the building department would enforce — the difference is who's performing the review or the inspection, not what standard the project has to meet. The building department remains the permitting authority of record throughout, which means the program only works well when it's coordinated carefully with that jurisdiction from the start.
Plan Review vs. Inspections
The statute allows a property owner to use a private provider for plan review, for required inspections, or for both — they don't have to be bundled together. Some projects benefit most from private plan review while keeping the jurisdiction's inspectors; others benefit more from private inspections on a project whose plans have already cleared review. We help evaluate which combination actually fits the project.
Notice of Intent & AHJ Coordination
Using a private provider requires formal notice to the local building department that one is being engaged, along with the documentation the jurisdiction expects to see as the private provider's plan review and inspection work moves forward. That reporting relationship doesn't go away once the private provider is on board — it runs for the life of the permit.
When It Makes Sense
The program tends to pay off most on time-sensitive commercial and residential projects, or on projects hitting a local building department's review backlog. It's not automatically the right call for every permit — it depends on the project's complexity, the eligible scope, and whether a qualified private provider is available on the timeline that matters.
How we coordinate a private provider project from decision to closeout.
The private provider does the licensed plan review or inspection work. Our job is making sure the jurisdiction, the provider, and the project stay aligned so the alternate path doesn't create its own delays.
Eligibility & Provider Coordination
- Confirm the permit type and scope are eligible for private provider plan review and/or inspections under Fla. Stat. 553.791
- Coordinate with the property owner's contractor and the licensed private provider on scope and availability
- Prepare and submit the required notice to the local building department that a private provider is being used
- Confirm the jurisdiction's specific documentation and reporting requirements before work begins
Managing the Handoffs
- Track the private provider's plan review or inspection progress against the project schedule
- Route required reports and documentation back to the AHJ as the statute and jurisdiction require
- Keep the contractor and property owner informed of real status on both sides of the process
- Flag and resolve any items that need building department input despite the private provider's role
Documentation & Permit Closeout
- Compile the private provider's completed plan review and inspection documentation for the jurisdiction's file
- Confirm all reporting obligations to the AHJ have been satisfied
- Coordinate any remaining building department sign-off needed to close the permit
- Hand off a complete record covering both the private provider's work and the jurisdiction's file
Central Florida jurisdictions, with more on the way.
Every jurisdiction handles private provider notices and reporting a little differently — different forms, different points of contact, different expectations for how documentation comes back to them. Our private provider coordination work is currently focused on Orange County (Unincorporated), the City of Orlando, and Seminole County (Unincorporated), and we're actively building out coverage for additional Central Florida jurisdictions. Visit our Jurisdictions page to see current coverage and what's in development.
Common questions about the Private Provider Program.
What is the Private Provider Program in Florida?
It's a program established under Fla. Stat. 553.791 that allows a property owner, through their contractor, to hire a licensed private provider — an engineer or architect — to perform plan review and/or required inspections on eligible permits, in place of having the local building department perform that same review or inspection.
Does using a private provider mean skipping the building department entirely?
No. The local building department stays involved. Using the program requires formal notice to the jurisdiction that a private provider is being engaged, and the jurisdiction still receives documentation and reporting on the plan review and inspections performed. It's a coordinated alternative path, not a way to bypass the AHJ.
Can a private provider handle inspections but not plan review, or vice versa?
Yes. A property owner can elect to use a private provider for plan review only, for inspections only, or for both, depending on where the project needs the most flexibility and what the private provider is set up to handle. We help evaluate which combination fits a given project.
Is private provider review faster than going through the county directly?
It can be, particularly when the local building department has a review backlog or when a project's schedule needs more flexibility than the standard queue allows. But it isn't automatic — the actual speed depends on the private provider's availability, the complexity of the project, and how well the coordination with the jurisdiction is managed. We don't promise a specific timeline; we evaluate whether the program makes sense for your project and manage the coordination if it does.
Who can act as a private provider under Fla. Stat. 553.791?
A private provider must be a licensed engineer or architect who meets the qualifications set out in the statute for the type of plan review or inspection being performed. Gold Standard doesn't act as the private provider itself — we coordinate the process between the property owner's contractor, the licensed private provider, and the jurisdiction.
Which jurisdictions does Gold Standard coordinate private provider projects in?
Our private provider coordination work currently focuses on Orange County (Unincorporated), the City of Orlando, and Seminole County (Unincorporated), with additional Central Florida jurisdictions in active development. See our Jurisdictions page for details.