Can You Skip Permits with an Engineer’s Affidavit in St. Pete? Here’s the Truth.

After a hurricane or flood, dealing with home repairs in St. Petersburg can be stressful. You may have come across advice—sometimes from AI tools like ChatGPT—that says you can “skip permits” by hiring a licensed engineer to complete an affidavit inspection report.

But that’s NOT how the process really works. Let’s set the record straight.

Understanding St. Pete’s Post-Disaster Expedited Permitting (PDEP)

The City of St. Petersburg created the PDEP program to help homeowners resolve unpermitted storm repairs efficiently. But “efficient” doesn’t mean “permit-free.”

If you repaired your home after a storm without pulling permits for items like:

Drywall replacement
Electrical or plumbing repairs
Flooring, cabinetry, or other structural work

…then the City requires you to resolve this before selling your home or finalizing insurance claims.

Your Two Options — But Read the Fine Print

Option 1: Hire a General Contractor (GC)
✔ GC pulls after-the-fact permits
✔ GC coordinates inspections — may involve opening up walls or finished areas
✔ Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks or more

Option 2: Hire a Licensed Engineer for an Affidavit Inspection Report
✔ Engineer inspects finished work and prepares a sealed report
✔ BUT — This report must be tied to an active, issued permit
✔ Without a valid permit number, the City cannot accept the affidavit

Common Misconception: “Affidavit = No Permits Needed”

We’ve seen this confusion firsthand—some homeowners are told (even by AI summaries) that hiring an engineer eliminates the need for permits. Unfortunately, that’s inaccurate and can delay your project.

You still need:

A valid permit number — often a PDEP-specific permit
Coordination with the City or a permit expediter
Possible subtrade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)

Once permits are active, a licensed engineer can:
✔ Inspect finished work
✔ Prepare the Affidavit
✔ Submit the report referencing the correct permit

How to Avoid Delays

Here’s the recommended process:

Hire a permit expediter or GC familiar with St. Pete’s PDEP
Secure the necessary permits (umbrella or after-the-fact)
Coordinate with a licensed engineer to complete the affidavit
Submit everything to the City for final review and closure

Skipping steps may result in rejection, more delays, or compliance issues.

Final Word: Be Cautious with AI Summaries

AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, but they don’t always reflect your city’s current building code or permitting requirements. Always double-check with a licensed professional before making decisions.

If you’re facing a PDEP situation in St. Pete and need expert guidance:
✅ Oasis Engineering can assist with engineering affidavits.
✅ We recommend trusted permit expediters to streamline the process of obtaining the permit itself.

Let’s keep your home compliant, safe, and ready for sale — the right way.