Welcome to the City of Winter Park, Florida

Building Inspection Violations

A height survey must be provided to the inspector at time of the framing inspection.

• The City requires a height survey for all homes over 26’ above existing grade to insure the roof height does not exceed allowable heights.

First and second floor setbacks, wall heights, Floor Area Ratio and Impervious Lot Coverage must comply with the Setback/Coverage worksheet. (Green Sheets)

• Setbacks, Impervious Lot Coverage, Floor Area Ratio and Screen Enclosure limits can be calculated on the Standard or Alternative worksheets.
• The building size, setbacks and wall heights limitations for accessory structures, garages, carports and screen enclosure may found on these two worksheets
• The maximum First floor side wall height at the minimum setback is 12’from the existing grade to the bottom of the soffit.

Plans missing from job and no truss engineering provided to the inspector.

• The Code requires that the approved plans be provided at the site, and the engineered truss drawings must be provided to the inspector prior to the framing inspection.

Placement of footing steel too close to the ground.

• The Code requires at least three inches of clearance from the ground to the steel.

Inadequate footing depth.

• The Code requires that footings extend at least 12 inches below grade.

Lack of footing tie into existing house for additions.

• To provide structural continuity, footing steel in additions must be doweled into the existing foundation of the house.

Omission of clean-outs in masonry walls.

• At the tie beam inspection, a clean-out hole must be provided at the bottom of the wall to remove mortar and to inspect steel.

Inadequately sized wind uplift connectors.

• The Code requires that hurricane connectors be sized properly to resist uplift loads.

Non-continuous wind anchorage.

• The Code requires that a continuously connected and properly sized series of connectors be provided from the foundation to the roof of all buildings.

Improper placement of floor or roof trusses.

• The Code requires that joists and trusses bear on walls within five inches of studs spaced 24 inches on center.

Excessive cutting, notching, and bored holes.

• In bearing walls, bored hole diameters must not exceed 40 percent of the stud width, and notches must not exceed 25 percent of its width.

Lack of draft or fire stopping.

• The Code requires fire stopping to cut off vertical and horizontal concealed openings.

Non-approved glass in hazardous locations.

• The Code requires the use of tempered safety glazing material in all doors, next to doors, within a tub or shower enclosure, and other potentially hazardous locations.

Lack of smoke detectors.

• The Code requires the provision of approved smoke detectors in all dwelling units.

Improperly sized hand rails and guard rails.

• The Code delineates criteria which includes prohibiting the passage of a six-inch sphere, minimum heights, and proper location of railings.

Improperly sized stair treads and risers.

• The Code limits risers to a 7 3/4-inch maximum and treads must be a minimum of 9 inches in length plus one inch of nosing.

Omission of vertical steel in free-standing masonry walls.

• To resist wind loads, masonry walls must be provided with concrete-filled and steel-reinforced cells spaced four to six feet apart.

Omission of roof cement in valleys and along rakes of new asphalt shingle roofs.

• The Code requires this to resist water intrusion and to provide wind uplift protection.

Re-roofing over existing shingles.

• Our Code allows for two layers of roofing materials.

Improper placement of roofing felt at eaves drip.

• Manufactures specs require felt to be over the eave drip. The felt may be on top of the drip edge if the shingles are sealed to the felt with roofing cement.

Air Conditioning & Mechanical System Inspection Violations

Improper joining of ducts.

• Our City Mechanical Code requires that all joints be sealed with fiberglass and a mastic sealing compound or a special heat and pressure sensitive tape.

Improper support of duct work.

• The duct must be supported by a saddle of metal two inches wide or an approved fabric.

Missing supports for ducts at outlets.

• The Code requires that a hanger be provided within 18 inches of all outlets.

Use of non-approved duct work.

• The Energy Code requires the use of duct material with an R-value of 6. This duct board is 11/2 inches thick.

Improper termination of condensation lines.

• The Code requires the condensation lines to terminate outside the building above grade at least 12” from the structure.

Improper installation of auxiliary air conditioning drain pans.

• Auxiliary pans must have an overflow drain or floats to prevent water-damage to the ceiling.

Improper placement of condensing units.

• The Code does not allow the placement of condensing units in residential setback areas, and adequate air space must be provided around the unit.

Omission of fire dampers in fiberglass ductwork in commercial buildings.

• The Code requires that approved fire dampers be installed in ducts that pass through fire-rated walls.

Omission of energy card on air-handler units.

• An Energy Efficiency Rating sticker must be placed on air handlers prior to the final inspection as required by the Energy Code.

Improperly installed bathroom exhaust vents and ducts.

• The Code requires that bathrooms have an outside window or a vented exhaust duct to the outside (not to the attic).

For more information, the City of Winter Park conducts building inspections on a daily basis. To schedule a building inspection for new construction, please call the Code Enforcement Division, 24 hours in advance.

Plumbing & Gas Inspection Violations

Flashing not provided around plumbing roof vents entering through the roof.

• The Code requires that the roof penetration be protected against water intrusion with proper flashing.

Improper installation of shower pans.

• The Code requires that pans have a water test, and that the pan extend two inches above the finished curb on the wall. The pan material must go over the curb and turn down one inch.

Omission of heat traps.

• The State Energy Code requires the provision of heat traps on hot and cold water lines as close to the top of the water heater as possible to save energy by preventing the convection hot water into cold water lines.

Omission of nail plates for pipe protection.

• The Code requires all pipes to be protected from nail holes and dry-wall screws. Nail plates shall be installed on both sides of 2x4 stud walls, and on one side of six-inch walls if the pipe is 11/2 inches from the face of the stud.

Inadequate provision of pipe clean-outs.

• The Code requires that each drain that comes out of a building have a clean-out installed three feet from the building and brought up to grade where 4 can be visible after the finished grade has been established.

Inadequate protection of clean-outs at property line.

• The City requires that all clean-outs at the property line be brought up to finish grade and be provided with a 12 inch by 12 inch concrete pad, poured four inches deep, around it for protection.

No access doors to whirlpool tubs.

• The Code requires that all whirlpool tubs have an access door as close to the motor as possible for removal and repairs.

Missing back flow preventers.

• The Code requires that all valves with a hose connection have a back flow preventer, such as laundry tray faucets, yard faucets, and wall faucets.

Improper water test for rough plumbing inspections.

• The Code requires a 5’ head of water on all drain lines
• All water lines must be test to working pressure of the system

Partially covered sewer lines at sewer inspections.

• The Code requires work in open trenches to be exposed and visible for inspections of proper pipe depth and materials.

Unlicensed workers on a job.

• The local Code requires that a licensed journeyman plumber be on every job to ensure good workmanship.

Improperly installed water heaters.

• The Code requires that relief lines be at least six inches above finish grade. Water heaters installed in the attic and inside the home shall have pans and drain. The drain line must be one inch and run to the outside of the building above the grade.

Installing gas lines without testing.

• The Code requires that all gas lines be tested and approved before any gas is turned on to a building to check for potential leaks.

Improper installation of gas vents.

• The Code has certain criteria for the proper installation of gas venting through the roof without excessive horizontal runs of vent piping.

Improper gas water heater installation in garage areas.

• The Code requires that all gas heaters installed in garages and utility rooms be 18 inches above the ground floor to prevent fire hazards created by automobile gas fumes.

Electrical Inspection Violations

Inadequate use of and lack of nail plates to protect against physical damage of Romex and electrical nonmetallic tubing.

• The National Electrical Code requires that wiring be protected against possible nail penetration in walls.

Unused openings in electrical boxes, raceways, gutters, and cabinets left open.

• The Code requires that these areas be closed to afford protection to walls, equipment, and wiring.

Overfill of switch boxes with excessive number of wires.

• The Code requires that electrical switch boxes be sized large enough to all wiring that terminates in a box.

Lack of or improper connections used for bonding wires.

• The Code requires that bonding wires be mechanically connected to provide a safe ground for the electrical system.

Lack of ground fault protection on bathroom, kitchen, garage, and outside receptacles.

• The Code requires the provision of special, stray current protection against electrical shock in areas where use of appliances is likely.

Lack of identification of breakers in electrical panels.

• Identification of circuits on breakers is required by Code.

Inadequate working clearances around panels and electrical equipment.

• A minimum of three feet in front of panels or equipment and 30 inches of working space to the side is required to provide a safe working area for service.

Improper or inadequate support of electrical wiring systems.

• Romex cable must be secured within seven inches of boxes and every four feet thereafter according to the Code.

Improper installation of ceiling fans.

• Use of a UL-approved fan box is required. Fans installed outdoors under open porches are to be approved for damp or wet locations.

Insulation of refrigerant lines.

• The Florida Energy Code requires a minimum of ½ inch pipe insulation for all refrigerant lines.

Arc fault protection missing for bedrooms per NEC 210-12a.

• Required to protect a circuit if an arc fault is detected

Improper location of cables running parallel to framing members.

• The Code requires that cables be 11/4 inches or more from the face of the framing member.

Excessive number of outlets on one circuit.

• The NEC allows a maximum of 10 – 180 VA outlets on each 15 amp receptacle circuit.
• The NEC allows a maximum of 13 – 180 VA outlets on each 20 amp receptacle circuit