FAQs • Monroe County, FL • CivicEngage

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Building Safety Inspection Program

1. What should I do when I receive the 25 Year (or older) Building Safety Inspection Program (BSIP) letter?: Property owners must submit a written Milestone Inspection report prepared by a Florida-registered Architect or Engineer, certifying each building or structure is structurally and electrically safe for the specified use for approved occupancy. The Milestone Inspection report must be submitted within 180 days from the date of notice.

2. What is the purpose of the BSIP Milestone Inspection?: The purpose of such inspection is not to determine if the condition of an existing building is in compliance with the Florida Building Code or the fire-safety code. But the purposes of attesting to the life safety and adequacy of the structural components of the building and, to the extent reasonably possible, determining the general structural condition of the building as it affects the safety of such building, including a determination of any necessary maintenance, repair, or replacement of any structural component of the building.

3. Who can perform a BSIP Milestone Inspections?: Inspections and reports must be done by a Florida-registered Architect or Engineer.

4. How do I find the Parcel ID number (Real Estate Number)?: Your Parcel ID (Real Estate Number) can be found through the Monroe County Property Appraisers website https://mcpafl.org/.

5. Does the County complete structural assessments?: No., the entire Milestone Inspection report, findings, and corrective measures are all based on the integrity of the Architect’s or Engineer’s report. Your Architect or Engineer should prepare a Milestone Inspection report to be submitted to the Building Department. It is the responsibility of the building owner to pay for and obtain the Architect or Engineer report.

6. Will an inspector from the County come out?: No, the County’s review is based totally on the Architect’s or Engineer’s Milestone Inspection report. Their seal certifies the integrity of the report. Repairs will be required as stated by the Architect/Engineer. However, a building inspector may go onsite for inspections pertaining to issued permits.

7. Does this include all of Monroe County?: This only includes unincorporated Monroe County. This does not include the cities of Key West, Marathon, Layton, Key Colony Beach, or the Village of Islamorada.

8. What if the Milestone Inspection report indicates that repairs are required?: If repairs are needed, proper permitting procedures must be followed before the building can be recertified. Visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting for more information.

9. How do I know if a property is subject to a Milestone Inspection?: There are currently five municipalities within Monroe County, and each city's Building Official has jurisdiction over building permits, inspections, and the BSIP in its respective area. Any questions regarding the requirements and specifications for BSIP should be directed to the specific agency that contacted you. If your property is located within unincorporated Monroe County, email BSIP@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov. The age of the building will be determined by the Property Appraiser’s Office. The definition of height will be determined by the Florida Building Code.

10. How can I obtain a copy of the Milestone Inspection Report?: Submit a public records request via the portal: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/publicrecordsrequest.