Florida’s House Bill 683: What It Means for Developers and Contractors

By PlanCheckPro.AI |

Published August 2025

On June 13, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 683 (HB 683) into law, marking a significant shift in how construction plans are reviewed and approved in the State of Florida. The bill officially went into effect on July 1, 2025 and introduces legally mandated acceptance of private plan reviews performed using automated or software-based systems. In short: Florida has now codified the right to speed and flexibility in permitting.

For developers and contractors, this new law is more than policy, it’s a strategic advantage. It means reduced permitting timelines, more control over inspections and a clear pathway to project acceleration.

Understanding HB 683

HB 683 amends multiple sections of Florida’s construction law (Chapter 553) and makes several key updates to the way private providers interact with the permitting process. Most notably, it:

- Authorizes the use of automated or software-based systems to perform plans review and determine code compliance.

- Mandates that local building departments accept these reviews when performed by qualified private providers.

- Reduces permit turnaround timelines for specific projects, especially for single-trade work on one- and two-family dwellings.

- Legalizes virtual inspections for many types of construction work.

Key Provisions in Detail

1. Software-Based Plan Reviews Now Legally Accepted

Private providers are now authorized to use AI or automated plan review software, like PlanCheckPro.AI, to assess compliance with the Florida Building Code (FBC) and National Electric Code (NEC. These software-generated reviews can be used as part of an official permit application when accompanied by a signed affidavit from a licensed reviewer.

“Permit application” now includes plans reviewed by a private provider using an automated or software-based system to determine compliance.

— Florida Statutes, Section 553.791

2. 5-Day Turnaround Requirement for Private Reviews

Local building officials must now approve or reject a permit within five (5) business days when the application includes a private provider’s review for a single-trade plan on a single-family or two-family dwelling. If no response is provided in time, the permit is automatically approved by law.

This significantly reduces previous review times, which could take up to 20 business days.

“If the local building official does not respond in 5 business days, the permit is deemed approved as a matter of law.”

— Section 553.791(7)(a), F.S.

3. Virtual Inspections Are Now Legal

Private providers can now conduct virtual inspections, especially for single-trade scopes of work like HVAC, electrical, plumbing and solar. This means contractors can reduce downtime and eliminate scheduling conflicts tied to in-person inspections.

“Single-trade inspections may now be conducted either in-person or virtually.”
— HB 683 Summary, DBPR

4. Scope Includes Solar and Energy Storage

HB 683 expands the scope of eligible single-trade reviews to include:

- Solar energy systems

- Energy storage installations and modifications

This is particularly impactful given the rise of solar and battery projects statewide.

What This Means for Developers and Contractors?

Faster Permitting

Projects no longer need to wait in long municipal queues. With PlanCheckPro.AI and a licensed private provider, you can get feedback in hours.

More Control, Less Friction

You control your plan review timeline, not the city. PlanCheckPro.AI helps you fix issues before submittal and avoid vague or inconsistent municipal comments.

Less Red Tape

You’re no longer required to submit contracts, material lists, or pricing breakdowns as part of the permit application. HB 683 restricts local governments from demanding unnecessary documents.

Reduced Risk of RFIs and Change Orders

AI-powered pre-checks catch compliance issues early, before construction begins. This means fewer RFIs from building officials and fewer surprise costs down the line.

Remote Inspection Support

Virtual inspections reduce coordination overhead, especially for solar, electrical and HVAC trades.

Bottom Line

HB 683 changes the rules of the game. For the first time, developers and contractors in Florida can legally demand faster plan reviews and inspections through private providers using automated tools. Platforms like PlanCheckPro.AI are built to take full advantage of this shift, delivering speed, accuracy and compliance at a level traditional methods simply can’t match.

Get Ahead of the Curve

If your team is still waiting weeks for municipal review or struggling with inspection bottlenecks, it’s time to switch to a smarter solution.

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