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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: …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: 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: 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.

🛠️ Pool Deck Inspections: What You Need to Know Before You Build – Pinellas County & Beyond Adding a deck around your pool is a great way to increase both functionality and safety—but did you know that even a simple wood or composite pool deck often requires multiple building inspections to pass code? This guide walks you through the typical required inspections for pool decking projects based on local requirements in Pinellas County, Florida, but it’s also applicable to most Florida counties and other jurisdictions that follow the Florida Building Code (FBC). ✅ Summary: What Inspections Are Required for Pool Deck Construction? If you’re building or already built a wood or composite deck around your pool, you’ll usually need the following building inspections: Inspection Code When It’s Needed Footing 1002 Before concrete is poured for any posts or foundation piers Framing 1016 After joists and beams are installed but before decking boards are placed Deck 1032 After full installation of the deck boards, stairs, railings, etc. Final 1099 When all work is complete and ready for final review Depending on your specific project scope and local enforcement, you may also need electrical or plumbing inspections if lighting, pumps, or outlets are being added. These inspection codes are specific for Pinellas County, and note that depending on project complexity, or site specific concerns, additional inspections may be required. 📍 Pinellas County Example In Pinellas County, FL, inspections are scheduled through the local Building Services Department. Here’s what the process typically looks like: If the deck is already built without permits, an “after-the-fact” permit can be submitted, but you may be required to expose structural components (like footings or framing) for visual inspection or provide an engineer’s certification. 👷 Why Are These Inspections Important? Each inspection serves a purpose: Skipping any of these steps can lead to failed inspections, fines, or future liability if the structure is ever questioned during a home sale or appraisal. The approval is typically based on the review of the applicable engineering plans, details or permitted construction requirements. 📎 FAQ: Common Questions We Get Q: Do I need a permit for a small wood deck around my pool?Yes—typically, if the deck is more than 30 inches off the ground or attached to a structure, it’s considered a structural addition and requires a permit. Q: Can Oasis Engineering help with this?Absolutely. We provide engineering plans, site visits, and inspection coordination to help get your project compliant and approved. Q: What if my deck is already built?You’ll likely need an engineering inspection report, or an engineer letter and may need to uncover certain areas to show framing or footing conditions. We can help prepare the report and work with the building department on your behalf.

If you’ve received a comment on your building permit that sounds something like this: “Need covered work letter form an engineer to sign off on the following missed inspections: ELE-rough-in, PLB-rough-in, PLB-tub-set, and PLB-underground. Once the letter has been uploaded, signed and sealed, reschedule this inspection. You may also elect to open up and expose all of the covered work elements.” You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. At Oasis Engineering, we help homeowners, contractors, and builders resolve these exact issues quickly, professionally, and in full compliance with your local building department. 🚨 What Does This Mean? When your inspector notes this on your permit, it means that certain required inspections were not completed before the work was covered up (drywalled, backfilled, or tiled over). This is most common in remodels involving: If you don’t have photo documentation or can’t open the walls or floors, the city will require a licensed professional engineer to inspect and certify the work in its current state. This is what’s called a Covered Work Letter or Engineer Letter for Missed Inspection. 🛠️ How Did This Happen? There are a few common reasons this happens: No matter the reason, once the work is covered, the inspector cannot verify it meets code—unless a licensed engineer steps in. ✅ How We Help At Oasis Engineering, we specialize in Engineer Letters for Covered Work. Here’s what we do: In most cases, this can save you from having to rip open walls or dig up floors—saving thousands in repair costs. 🧾 Common Searches That Lead Here If you searched for any of the following, you’re in the right place: 📍 We Serve All 50 States Whether your project is in Texas, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, or Washington, we have licensed engineers in our network ready to assist with: We also offer fast turnaround, digital sealing, and direct upload support to your permitting department where allowed. 👷 Let’s Get Your Permit Back on Track You don’t need to panic or tear everything open – specially if you have photos or additional documentation. A licensed engineer’s letter can satisfy the inspector and keep your project moving forward. 📞 Call or text us now at 813-694-8989📧 Or request your Covered Work Letter online using this Engineer Letter Form 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re doing a kitchen or bathroom remodel, always verify which inspections are required before closing up walls or floors. Save time and money with proper planning—or let us step in if it’s already covered.