Frequently Asked Questions

1. To apply for a Building Permit with the City of Belleview, Contractors must first register with the city and provide copies of their Workers Compensation, General Liability Insurance, and State Licensure.  (This step does not apply to homeowner-builders)  You may access the Contractor Registration Form online by clicking here.
   
   
2. Once registered, a complete application packet must be submitted either in person, or via email.  Our permit packets include checklists indicating which documents will be required for each type of permit.  All Forms and Applications may be found here. If the proposed project involves large-scale plans, the Building Official may require printed copies of the plans to be provided for review.
   
   
3. Payment is due with application submittal.  Should you submit your application in person, cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.  If you submit your application via email, city staff will respond to your email within 1-2 business days with an invoice and a link to make your payment online.
   
   
4. Application review will begin once payment is received.  If an application is found to be incomplete city staff will contact you within 3 full working days from the received date.
   
   
5. Once review is complete and the permit is issued, city staff will notify the contractor/owner-builder.  You may check the status of your application/permit online by clicking here.

That depends on the nature of the project. At a minimum you will need to complete a building permit application. Other documents you may need include architectural plans, product approvals, site plan, or engineering details. If you do not own the property, you will need a notarized letter from the owner allowing you to do the project, show a lease that allows you to do the project, or have the owner sign the permit application.  Please call our office or come by and explain your project to us, and we can go from there.

Yes, you may work on a home or business that you both own and occupy. You must continue living in, or operating your business in the building for at least one year after the project is complete. This exemption to the Florida Statutes is specific to owner-occupied buildings and does not apply to rental properties. A licensed contractor is required for all permitted work on rental property (residential and commercial).

The list of required inspections is located on the bottom of the permit card. You can schedule inspections by calling the Building Department at (352) 245-7021 x 2105 no later than 3:00 PM the business day before the requested inspection. Inspections are performed Monday through Thursday. It is the applicant's (Owner Builder/Contractor) responsibility to ensure that all required inspections are requested prior to proceeding with work on the project. For new dwellings and changes of use: once all fees are paid and all required inspections are completed, the applicant will be issued a CO (Certificate of Occupancy).

One of the major benefits of obtaining a permit is having technical resources at your side: the Certified Building Inspectors and Certified Building Officials/Plans Examiners. Belleview’s building inspectors, officials, and plans examiners have years of trade experience and code training to help assure your project meets Florida Building Code standards. This assures sound, safe design and construction. They can answer questions, provide guidance before you start your project, and save you time, money, and frustration.

If the inspection requires the inspector to enter your building or if there are animals on the property, someone must be there to meet the inspector. A ladder must be provided if the inspector needs to access a roof or attic.

If your project value exceeds $2,500 (HVAC-$7,500) a Notice of Commencement is required to be filed with the Marion County Clerk of Court prior to building inspection.

You may report a code violation by calling 352-245-7021 ext. 2126 or you may file a complaint on the City’s website under Code Compliance.

Address of violation - If no address is visible, is there an address north, south, east, or west of the house/parcel that can be provided. Description of house or property. Suspected violations described in detail.

In accordance with SB60, effective 7/1/2021 the City of Belleview can no longer investigate code compliance complaints received anonymously. Complainants are now required to provide their name and address. If you believe your complaint poses an immediate health and safety concern, please contact the Code Compliance Officer at 352-245-7021 ext. 2106.

1.If a violation is found, a Courtesy Notice of Violation is sent to the property owner specifying how long they have to remedy the violation. 2.If the violation is not corrected, a Final Notice of Violation is sent to the property owner specifying how long they have to remedy the violation. 3.If action is not taken to remedy the violation, the case will be referred to a Special Magistrate for a hearing. The Special Magistrate may impose fines and a lien filed on the property.

Household garbage must be in a container, trash can or in a tied bag. Yard debris must be bundled/tied in 4 foot sections or bagged. Items cannot be over 50 pounds. You must contact Florida Express to arrange for pick up of  large items such as appliances, furniture and mattresses. The number for Florida Express can be found on your trash can.

The best thing to do is to communicate with the Code Compliance Officer (CCO) as soon as possible. Call the CCO at the number provided on your letter to discuss your situation.

Yard maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner, occupant, tenant, or resident and includes mowing the grass. Grass shall be maintained at a height less than 12” tall. Yards should be free of junk, trash and debris per City Code and should be properly disposed of.

Marion County Animal Services now handles animal complaints for the City of Belleview. You may file a concern with MCAS by calling (352) 671-8727 for non-emergencies or during working hours. For emergencies or after hours/weekends, please call Marion County Sheriff's Office at (352) 732-9111.

The Zoning Code allows you to build a fence on your property line or any other place on your property. This does not assume that old fences or edges of mowed yards accurately determine where your property line is - a survey may be required. The maximum height of a fence is 4-feet within the front yard setback. Beyond that point, towards the rear of your property, the height of the fence can be up to 8-feet. A visibility triangle for traffic safety purposes must be maintained at road intersections. Please refer to section 118-313 of the Code of Ordinances for a full description of this requirement.

To open a business in a commercial unit inside the city limits you will need to complete the Change of Tenancy permitting process. The application is available on the Business Information page as well as a 'New Business Information' Guide. The City will review your application and both the Building Official and Marion County Fire Prevention will inspect the unit for safety. Once the unit passes both inspections, you will contact the Development Services Department to pay your business tax, and a Local Business Tax Receipt is issued and you may open for business.

Home businesses may be conducted in all residential districts under certain provisions as per City of Belleview Code of Ordinances and Florida Statute.  Please refer to our Code of Ordinances for a list of regulations, by clicking here.  All home businesses are required to obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt prior to operation.  Please contact city staff at 352-245-7021 for additional information.

Copies of the following:
1. Fictitious name registration (Via www.sunbiz.org)
2. Copy of necessary state or federal licenses (Food service, Motor Vehicle Repair, Cosmetology, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, etc.)
3. Tax ID/FEIN# or Social Security Number
4. Garbage service verification
5. Property owner permission for business to operate in that location (signed lease or other notarized authorization)

You can pay in person at City Hall located at 5343 SE Abshier BLVD Belleview FL 34420

City Hall is open Monday - Thursday from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm. We are closed on Fridays.

1. Pay in person at City Hall using cash, check or credit card. 2. Check payments may be placed in the drop box located in front of City Hall. (Please do not put cash payments in the drop box). 3. Pay online at https://accessmygov.com via credit card or electronic check. 4. Sign up with a Utility Billing Customer Service Representative to have your payment automatically drafted from your account.

All utility payments must be received in our office by 6:00 pm on the 15th of the month. Bills not paid by 6:00 pm on the 15th of the month or the first business day after the 15th day of the month, should the 15th fall on a Friday, weekend, or holiday, will automatically have an additional 10% late penalty applied.

Bills not paid by 6:00 pm on the 30th day of  the month will render the account to be in non-payment status and a non-payment status penalty of $60.00 will be automatically applied to the account. Should the 30th of the month fall on a Friday, the weekend or a holiday, payment must be received by 6:00 pm on the first business day following the Friday, weekend day or holiday. Bills not paid by the 30th day of the month or by 6:00 pm on the first business day following the Friday, weekend day or holiday are considered to be in non-payment status. Accounts in non-payment status are subject to disconnection.

You can make your request in person, over the phone, via our Form Center, and other reasonable means. Once we have reviewed your request, staff will contact you to let you know the estimated date and time you can expect the requested information and if there will be any charge. Labor charges will apply on extensive or large requests for information.

Click here to submit a General Records Request

Click here to submit a Law Enforcement Records Request

The City's Finance Department will assist you with the purchase of a Cemetery space. Please call the main line at (352) 245-7021 and your call will be directed to the correct person.