7 Myths About Florida Private Providers — Debunked

Private providers have been legal in Florida for decades, and 2026's HB 803 made them more advantageous than ever. Yet a handful of myths still keep builders and developers stuck in the municipal queue longer than they need to be. Let's clear them up.

Myth 1: "Private providers aren't really accepted by the city."

Reality: They are. Private providers operate under Section 553.791, Florida Statutes — a statewide law — and their certified plan reviews and inspections are accepted by Florida municipalities. In fact, HB 803 (effective July 1, 2026) prohibits local governments from discouraging applicants from using private providers or creating unnecessary barriers. A July 2026 Attorney General opinion reinforced the same point: the state framework is the standard, and local practices can't override it.

Myth 2: "It's a loophole."

Reality: It's the opposite of a loophole — it's an option the Legislature deliberately created and has repeatedly strengthened. The private provider statute has existed for years, and lawmakers expanded it in 2026 specifically to relieve permitting bottlenecks. Using a private provider is following the law as written, not getting around it.

Myth 3: "The city just re-inspects everything anyway."

Reality: Not under current law. HB 803 restricts local governments from re-reviewing plans a qualifying private provider already approved and from duplicating inspections your provider performed. There are narrow exceptions (document completeness, floodplain and local ordinances, certain administrative or life-safety items), and departments must give at least 5 business days' notice before auditing private provider work. Blanket "we re-inspect it all" is no longer the rule.

Myth 4: "It costs more."

Reality: On commercial projects, it now typically costs less. HB 803 mandates a minimum 50% reduction in commercial permit fees when a private provider handles all qualifying plan review and inspections (25% for partial scope), and jurisdictions can't charge for services they didn't perform. Add the value of finishing weeks sooner, and the private provider route is typically the cheaper path overall.

Myth 5: "It's slower because of the extra paperwork."

Reality: It's dramatically faster. Plan review can turn around in about two business days versus weeks in a busy municipal queue, and inspections are scheduled same-day or next-day. On top of that, HB 803 puts the building department on a 10-business-day shot clock to review plans or issue the permit when a private provider is used — and if they miss it, the application is deemed approved.

Myth 6: "Virtual inspections aren't allowed here."

Reality: They're protected statewide. HB 803 prohibits local governments from banning virtual inspections performed by private providers. For trade rough-ins, repairs, re-inspections, and storm-season work, a remote inspection can keep your project moving without waiting for anyone to drive to the site.

Myth 7: "Private providers only handle small residential jobs."

Reality: Private providers handle everything from single-trade residential work to large commercial and threshold projects. The bigger and more fee-heavy the project, the more a private provider tends to save you — both in permit fees and in schedule. Tew & Taylor handles projects as large as airports and as small as HVAC changeouts.

The takeaway

The myths made sense a decade ago. In 2026, the law is clear, the fees are lower, the timelines are shorter, and the state has reinforced all of it. If you're still routing everything through the building department out of habit, it's worth a fresh look.

Tew & Taylor has been Florida's private provider since 2008, registered in 300+ municipalities, with same-day inspections and two-day plan review. Have a myth or a question we didn't cover? Ask our team — we're happy to walk you through how it works for your project.