Tequesta Residents: Master the Village's Plan Review Process for Construction Projects

Tequesta residents undertaking construction projects must navigate the Village's plan review process. This process ensures all proposed work meets the Code of Ordinances adopted by the Village of Tequesta, covering everything from zoning to wind load requirements.

The plan review is a technical assessment of project plans. Its primary goal is to ensure compliance with local regulations. The complexity and size of a project determine the specific reviews required, which can include zoning, flood, engineering, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and fire assessments.

Typically, plan reviews are completed within five business days. However, project complexity can extend this timeframe. Residents submitting documents for review after 3:30 PM will see their submission added to the queue on the following business day. This requires careful planning to avoid delays, especially if documents need review before an inspection.

The Village now requires electronic copies for permanent filing of construction plans and documents. Submissions must also include electronic copies of appropriate Florida product approvals or Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance (NOA).

A critical component of the review process involves site-specific wind design engineering criteria. The 2023 Florida Building Code Section 1609.1 mandates this for various project elements. These include windows, doors, roofing, siding, soffit, shutters, signs, sign structures, awnings, fences above 6 feet, roof-mounted equipment, ground-mounted equipment, screen rooms, carports, pre-manufactured sheds, cell towers, antennae arrays, and flag poles above 20 feet.

All documentation for plan reviews must be signed and sealed by an architect or engineer licensed in Florida. Projects must clearly show the ultimate design wind speed Vult (3-second gust) and nominal design wind speed Vasd, even if wind loads do not govern the design of the lateral-force-resisting system of the building.

Residents planning construction should familiarize themselves with these requirements to ensure a smooth review process and timely project completion.