Florida House Bill 7207

Deadline Approaching for Filing 2-Year Extension for Permits and Local Development Orders

Florida House Bill 7207 (the "Bill"), which was adopted into law on June 2, 2011, authorizes the extension of certain active permits and local development orders, including building permits, permits issued pursuant to Chapter 373 by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or by a water management district, and local development orders.

The Bill specifically authorizes two different extensions:
• an additional 2-year extension for any permit or development order extended under Section 14 of Chapter 2009-96 Laws of Florida (commonly known as Senate Bill 360) as reauthorized by Section 41 of Chapter 2010-147 Laws of Florida (commonly known as Senate Bill 1752) from the previously scheduled expiration date; and

• a 2-year extension for any permit or development order which has an expiration date between January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2014.
The Bill restricts the cumulative extension of any permit or development order to a total of 4 years.

While the Bill grants an automatic extension to those permits and development orders which are eligible, the permittee or his/her designee must notify the governmental agency having jurisdiction over the permit on or before December 31, 2011.

Because December 31, 2011 is a Saturday, to be safe, notification should be made by Friday, December 30, 2011.