City of Tampa Building Dept
Tampa, FL
Avg Review
22d
Rejection Rate
42%
Skill Files
8
Status
Medium
Ventilation — Type I Hood (FBC/FMC)
FBC-M 507 / NFPA 96 / FBC 2020 7th EdType I hood required over cooking producing grease-laden vapors per FBC Mechanical Code §507. Exhaust rate per FBC-M Table 507.2.1. Makeup air system required: minimum 80% of exhaust CFM. Hood must extend 6 inches beyond cooking equipment on all sides. Florida-specific: HVAC load calculations required due to high ambient temps and humidity.
Examiner Note: Tampa Building Dept requires HVAC load calculation (Manual J/N) submitted with mechanical plans. High humidity makes makeup air conditioning essential.
Common rejection: HVAC load calculation not submitted; makeup air unit does not account for Florida humidity and cooling load
Correction: Submit Manual J/N HVAC load calculation with mechanical plans. Specify conditioned makeup air to account for Florida humidity. Show makeup air unit on roof plan with specifications.
Fire — Suppression & Florida Fire Code
NFPA 96 / FBC-Fire Prevention Code §904 / FBC §903.2.1.3UL 300 wet chemical system required for all Type I hoods. Automatic sprinkler per FBC 903.2.1.3. Separate fire plan review by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. Manual pull stations at exits. K-class portable extinguisher within 30 feet of cooking. Fire alarm connected to monitoring service required.
Examiner Note: Hillsborough County Fire Rescue conducts separate review from City of Tampa Building. Submit fire plans to both simultaneously to avoid delays.
Common rejection: Fire plans not submitted to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue; fire alarm monitoring connection not specified
Correction: Submit fire protection plans to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue AND City of Tampa Building simultaneously. Show fire alarm connection to monitoring service on FP-1. Include K-class extinguisher locations.
Plumbing — Grease Interceptor (FPC)
FBC-Plumbing §1003 / Hillsborough County FOG OrdinanceGrease interceptor required per FBC Plumbing Code §1003. Hillsborough County has specific FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) ordinance requiring interceptor maintenance records and quarterly pumping. Minimum 1,000 gallon external interceptor for commercial kitchens. 3-compartment sink and handwash sinks per Florida food code. Backflow prevention on water service.
Examiner Note: Hillsborough County Utilities reviews grease interceptor separately. Submit FOG compliance form with plumbing permit.
Common rejection: Grease interceptor sizing less than 1,000 gallon minimum; FOG compliance form not submitted
Correction: Size grease interceptor minimum 1,000 gallons per Hillsborough County FOG ordinance. Submit FOG compliance form with plumbing permit. Show interceptor on site plan with pumping access.
Electrical — Kitchen Power (FBC-E/NEC 2020)
FBC-Electrical / 2020 NEC Art 210 & 422Minimum 200A service per kitchen bay. GFCI protection within 6 feet of water sources per NEC 210.8(B). Dedicated circuits for appliances over 1,500W. Emergency disconnect for kitchen equipment per NEC 422.33. Florida requires panel schedule with circuit directory. Surge protection required per 2020 NEC 230.67.
Examiner Note: Florida adopted 2020 NEC which requires dwelling-unit surge protection (230.67) — verify applicability to commercial. Tampa wants complete panel schedule.
Common rejection: Panel schedule incomplete; GFCI locations not marked on plan
Correction: Provide complete panel schedule on E-1 with circuit directory. Mark GFCI protection on all outlets within 6 feet of water sources. Show emergency disconnect for each major appliance per NEC 422.33.
Health — FL DBPR Food Facility Requirements
FL DBPR 61C-4 / FDA Food Code 2017 (FL adoption)Florida Dept of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates food establishments. Plan review by DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants. Handwash sink within 25 feet walking distance. 3-compartment sink required. Food-grade wall finishes (FRP/SS). Sealed floors with coved base. Pest control provisions: sealed penetrations, air curtains at entries, self-closing doors.
Examiner Note: DBPR plan review is separate from local building permit. Submit to DBPR at least 30 days before anticipated opening. DBPR is strict on pest control in Florida climate.
Common rejection: DBPR plan review not initiated; pest control provisions inadequate (no air curtain at delivery door)
Correction: Submit food facility plans to FL DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants 30+ days before opening. Add air curtain at delivery/service entries. Show sealed wall penetrations and self-closing door hardware on A-1.
Structural — Florida Wind Load & Flood
FBC §1609 / ASCE 7-16 / FBC §1612Wind design per ASCE 7-16: Tampa ultimate wind speed 150 mph (Risk Category II). Rooftop equipment must be designed for wind uplift. Flood zone verification required — if in SFHA, must comply with FBC §1612 flood-resistant construction. Impact-resistant glazing or shutters may be required in wind-borne debris region. Stamped structural by FL PE.
Examiner Note: Tampa requires NOA (Notice of Acceptance) or FL Product Approval for rooftop equipment anchorage in wind zones. Verify flood zone on FEMA FIRM map before design.
Common rejection: Rooftop equipment wind load calculation missing; no FL Product Approval for exhaust fans; flood zone not verified
Correction: Provide wind load calculations for all rooftop equipment per ASCE 7-16 (150 mph). Include FL Product Approval numbers for exhaust fans and HVAC units. Verify FEMA flood zone and address on S-1.
ADA — Florida Accessibility Code
FBC-Accessibility / 2010 ADA / FBC §553.504Florida Accessibility Code (FBC Chapter 11) applies — based on 2010 ADA Standards with Florida amendments. Accessible route 36-inch minimum. Accessible restroom with 60-inch turning radius. FBC requires vertical accessibility (elevator) for multi-story where required. Accessible parking per FBC Table 553.504.
Examiner Note: Tampa checks accessible parking count per FBC Table 553.504. Ensure van-accessible space with 96-inch minimum access aisle.
Common rejection: Insufficient accessible parking spaces; van-accessible space not identified on site plan
Correction: Provide accessible parking per FBC Table 553.504 on site plan. Identify van-accessible space with 96-inch access aisle and signage. Show accessible route from parking to building entrance.
Egress — FBC Exit Requirements
FBC §1006 / §1017 / §1013Two exits required when occupant load exceeds 49. Travel distance: 250 feet (unsprinklered), 300 feet (sprinklered). Exit signs per FBC 1013 — internally illuminated, connected to emergency power. Panic hardware required. Dead-end corridors limited to 20 feet (50 feet if sprinklered). Occupant load calculation required on plans.
Examiner Note: Tampa follows standard FBC egress requirements. Show occupant load calculation table on architectural plans.
Common rejection: Occupant load calculation missing; exit sign locations not shown on reflected ceiling plan
Correction: Add occupant load calculation table on A-1 per FBC 1004.5. Show exit sign locations on reflected ceiling plan. Verify travel distance with dimensioned path on egress plan.