Solar

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions

(o)

“Solar contractor” means a contractor whose services consist of the installation, alteration, repair, maintenance, relocation, or replacement of solar panels for potable solar water heating systems, swimming pool solar heating systems, and photovoltaic systems and any appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, whether public, private, or otherwise, regardless of use. A contractor, certified or registered pursuant to this chapter, is not required to become a certified or registered solar contractor or to contract with a solar contractor in order to provide services enumerated in this paragraph that are within the scope of the services such contractors may render under this part.

(p)

“Pollutant storage systems contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to, and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, and use materials and items used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of, pollutant storage tanks. Any person installing a pollutant storage tank shall perform such installation in accordance with the standards adopted pursuant to s. 376.303.

(q)

Fla. Stat. § 163.3205 — Solar facility approval process

A county may adopt an ordinance specifying buffer and landscaping requirements for solar facilities. Such requirements may not exceed the requirements for similar uses involving the construction of other facilities that are permitted uses in agricultural land use categories and zoning districts.

(5)

This section does not apply to any site that was the subject of an application to construct a solar facility submitted to a local governmental entity before July 1, 2021.

History.

—

s. 1, ch. 2021-178.

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions

To qualify for exemption under this subsection, an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application and must satisfy local permitting agency requirements, if any, proving that the owner has a complete understanding of the owner’s obligations under the law as specified in the disclosure statement in this section. However, for purposes of implementing a “United States Department of Energy SunShot Initiative: Rooftop Solar Challenge” grant and the participation of county and municipal governments, including local permitting agencies under the jurisdiction of such county and municipal governments, an owner’s notarized signature or personal appearance to sign the permit application is not required for a solar project, as described in subparagraph (a)3., if the building permit application is submitted electronically to the permitting agency and the owner certifies the application and disclosure statement using the permitting agency’s electronic confirmation system. If any person violates the requirements of this subsection, the local permitting agency shall withhold final approval, revoke the permit, or pursue any action or remedy for unlicensed activity against the owner and any person performing work that requires licensure under the permit issued. The local permitting agency shall provide the person with a disclosure statement in substantially the following form:

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Fla. Stat. § 713.135 — Notice of commencement and applicability of lien

For purposes of implementing a “United States Department of Energy SunShot Initiative: Rooftop Solar Challenge” grant and the participation of county and municipal governments, including local permitting agencies under the jurisdiction of such county and municipal governments, an owner or contractor shall not be required to personally appear and provide a notarized signature when filing a building permit application, if such building permit application will be electronically submitted to the permitting authority, the application relates to a solar project, and the owner or contractor certifies the application, consistent with this paragraph, using the permitting authority’s electronic confirmation system. For purposes of this subsection, a “solar project” means installing, uninstalling, or replacing solar panels on single-family residential property, multifamily residential property, or commercial property.

(c)

An authority responsible for issuing building permit applications which accepts building permit applications in an electronic format shall provide public Internet access to the electronic building permit applications in a searchable format.

(d)

Fla. Stat. § 377.705 — Solar Energy Center; development of solar energy standards

All solar energy systems manufactured or sold in the state must meet the standards established by the center and shall display accepted results of approved performance tests in a manner prescribed by the center, unless otherwise certified by an engineer licensed pursuant to chapter 471 using the standards contained in the most recent version of the Florida Building Code.

History.

—

ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 76-246; s. 1, ch. 78-309; s. 400, ch. 2003-261; s. 45, ch. 2007-217; s. 56, ch. 2008-227; s. 1, ch. 2017-149.

Qualifications for license

634.041

Qualifications for license.

—

To qualify for and hold a license to issue service agreements in this state, a service agreement company must be in compliance with this part, with applicable rules of the commission, with related sections of the Florida Insurance Code, and with its charter powers and must comply with the following:

(1)

Any service agreement company applying for a license must be a solvent corporation formed under the laws of this state or of another state or district of the United States and must meet minimum requirements under this section.

(2)

The service agreement company must furnish the office with evidence satisfactory to the office that the management of the company is competent and trustworthy and can successfully and lawfully manage its affairs.

(3)

The service agreement company must make the deposit required under s. 634.052.

(4)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state unless it maintains the required reserves and the required ratio of liquid assets to the required reserves.

(5)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreeme

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

A county that includes an area designated as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05 may offer a license for any job scope which requires a contractor license under this part if the county imposed such a licensing requirement before January 1, 2021.

3.

A local government may continue to offer a license for veneer, including aluminum or vinyl gutters, siding, soffit, or fascia; rooftop painting, coating, and cleaning above three stories in height; or fence installation and erection if the local government imposed such a licensing requirement before January 1, 2021.

4.

A local government may not require a license as a prerequisite to submit a bid for public works projects if the work to be performed does not require a license under general law.

(b)

The local jurisdictions are responsible for providing the following information to the board within 30 days after licensure of, or any disciplinary action against, a locally licensed contractor who is registered under this part:

1.

Licensure information.

2.

Code violation information pursuant to s. 553.781.

3.

Disciplinary information.

The board shall maintain such licensure and disciplinary information as it is provided to the board and shall make the information available through the automated information system provided pursuant to s. 455.2286.

(c)

Providing discipline to such locally licensed contractors is the responsibility of the local jurisdiction.

(d)

Fla. Stat. § 471.021 — Engineers and firms of other states; temporary registration to practice in Florida

471.021

Engineers and firms of other states; temporary registration to practice in Florida.

—

(1)

Upon approval of the board and payment of the fee set in s. 471.011, the management corporation shall issue a temporary registration for work on one specified project in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an engineer holding a certificate to practice in another state, provided Florida licensees are similarly permitted to engage in work in such state and provided that the engineer be qualified for licensure by endorsement.

(2)

Upon approval by the board and payment of the fee set in s. 471.011, the management corporation shall issue a temporary registration for work on one specified project in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an out-of-state corporation, partnership, or firm, provided one of the principal officers of the corporation, one of the partners of the partnership, or one of the principals in the fictitiously named firm has obtained a temporary registration in accordance with subsection (1).

(3)

The application for a temporary registration shall require appointment of the Department of State as an agent of the applicant for service of process in any action or proceeding against the applicant arising out of any transaction or operation connected with or incidental to the practice of engineering for which the temporary registration was issued.

History.

—

Fla. Stat. § 492.1165 — Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

—

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or prohibit the practice of any profession or trade for which a license is required under any other law of this state, or the practice by registered professional engineers.

History.

—

ss. 17, 19, ch. 87-403; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 65, ch. 2000-356.

Copyright © 1995-2026 The Florida Legislature • Privacy Statement • Contact Us

Fla. Stat. § 377.703 — Additional functions of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Aiding and promoting the commercialization of renewable energy resources, in cooperation with the Florida Energy Systems Consortium; the Florida Solar Energy Center; and any other federal, state, or local governmental agency that may seek to promote research, development, and the demonstration of renewable energy equipment and technology.

2.

Identifying barriers to greater use of renewable energy resources in this state, and developing specific recommendations for overcoming identified barriers, with findings and recommendations to be submitted annually in the report to the Governor and Legislature required under paragraph (f).

3.

In cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Commerce, the Florida Energy Systems Consortium, the Florida Solar Energy Center, and the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, investigating opportunities, pursuant to the national Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, and any subsequent federal legislation, for renewable energy resources, electric vehicles, and other renewable energy manufacturing, distribution, installation, and financing efforts that enhance this state’s position as the leader in renewable energy research, development, and use.

4.

Undertaking other initiatives to advance the development and use of renewable energy resources in this state.

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

Any person who is not certified or registered may perform the work of a specialty contractor whose scope of practice is limited to the type of work specified under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l) for the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of commercial or residential swimming pools, interactive water features as defined in the Florida Building Code, hot tubs, and spas without obtaining a local license or certification as a specialty contractor if he or she is supervised by a contractor who is certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l); the work is within the scope of the supervising contractor’s license; the supervising contractor is responsible for the work; and the work does not require certification or registration under s. 489.105(3)(d)-(i), (m)-(o), or s. 489.505. Such supervision does not require a direct contract between the contractor certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l) and the person performing the work, or for the person performing the work to be an employee of the contractor certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l). This paragraph does not limit the exemptions provided in s. 489.103 and may not be construed to expand the scope of a contractor certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l) to provide plumbing or electrical services for which certification or registration is required by this part or part II.

(5)

Fla. Stat. § 634.041 — Qualifications for license

634.041

Qualifications for license.

—

To qualify for and hold a license to issue service agreements in this state, a service agreement company must be in compliance with this part, with applicable rules of the commission, with related sections of the Florida Insurance Code, and with its charter powers and must comply with the following:

(1)

Any service agreement company applying for a license must be a solvent corporation formed under the laws of this state or of another state or district of the United States and must meet minimum requirements under this section.

(2)

The service agreement company must furnish the office with evidence satisfactory to the office that the management of the company is competent and trustworthy and can successfully and lawfully manage its affairs.

(3)

The service agreement company must make the deposit required under s. 634.052.

(4)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state unless it maintains the required reserves and the required ratio of liquid assets to the required reserves.

(5)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state if, during the 3 years immediately preceding its application for a license, it has violated any requirement of this part or a rule adopted thereunder.

(6)

Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

—

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or prohibit the practice of any profession or trade for which a license is required under any other law of this state, or the practice by registered professional engineers.

History.

—

ss. 17, 19, ch. 87-403; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 65, ch. 2000-356.

Copyright © 1995-2026 The Florida Legislature • Privacy Statement • Contact Us

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

489.117

Registration; specialty contractors.

—

(1)(a)

A person engaged in the business of a contractor as defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o) must be registered before engaging in business as a contractor in this state, unless he or she is certified. Except as provided in paragraph (2)(b), to be initially registered, the applicant must submit the required fee and file evidence of successful compliance with the local examination and licensing requirements, if any, in the area for which registration is desired. An examination is not required for registration.

(b)

Registration allows the registrant to engage in contracting only in the counties, municipalities, or development districts where he or she has complied with all local licensing requirements, if any, and only for the type of work covered by the registration.

(c)

Each registrant shall report to the board each local jurisdiction and each category of registration in which the registrant holds a certificate of competency or license, or where the registrant has been granted a certificate of competency or license by reciprocal agreement, for which registration is required by this part, within 30 days after obtaining such certificate or license.

(2)(a)

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

No general, building, or residential contractor certified after 1973 shall act as, hold himself or herself out to be, or advertise himself or herself to be a roofing contractor unless he or she is certified or registered as a roofing contractor.

(4)(a)

When a certificateholder desires to engage in contracting in any area of the state, as a prerequisite therefor, he or she shall be required only to exhibit to the local building official, tax collector, or other person in charge of the issuance of licenses and building permits in the area evidence of holding a current certificate and to pay the fee for the occupational license and building permit required of other persons.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 489.507 — Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board

489.507

Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board.

—

(1)

There is created in the department the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. The board shall consist of 11 members, 7 of whom shall be certified electrical contractors, 2 of whom shall be consumer members who are not, and have never been, electrical contractors or members of any closely related profession or occupation, and 2 of whom shall be certified alarm system contractors I. Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms.

(2)

To be eligible to serve, each contractor member must have been certified by the board to operate as a contractor in the category with respect to which the member is appointed, be actively engaged in the construction business, and have been so engaged for a period of not less than 5 consecutive years before the date of appointment. Each appointee must be a citizen and resident of the state.

(3)

The board has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this part.

(4)

It is the intent of the Legislature that the board promulgate no rules and take no action to require that applicants for certification as alarm system contractors serve any type of apprenticeship before being allowed to sit for the certification examination.

(5)

Engineers and firms of other states; temporary registration to practice in Florida

471.021

Engineers and firms of other states; temporary registration to practice in Florida.

—

(1)

Upon approval of the board and payment of the fee set in s. 471.011, the management corporation shall issue a temporary registration for work on one specified project in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an engineer holding a certificate to practice in another state, provided Florida licensees are similarly permitted to engage in work in such state and provided that the engineer be qualified for licensure by endorsement.

(2)

Upon approval by the board and payment of the fee set in s. 471.011, the management corporation shall issue a temporary registration for work on one specified project in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an out-of-state corporation, partnership, or firm, provided one of the principal officers of the corporation, one of the partners of the partnership, or one of the principals in the fictitiously named firm has obtained a temporary registration in accordance with subsection (1).

(3)

The application for a temporary registration shall require appointment of the Department of State as an agent of the applicant for

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

A general contractor shall not be required to subcontract structural swimming pool work. All other swimming pool work shall be subcontracted to an appropriately licensed certified or registered swimming pool contractor.

(d)

A general contractor shall not be required to subcontract the construction of a main sanitary sewer collection system, storm collection system, or water distribution system, not including the continuation of utility lines from the mains to the buildings, and may perform any of the services, on public or private property, for which a license as an underground utility and excavation contractor is required under this part.

(e)

A general contractor shall not be required to subcontract the continuation of utility lines from the mains in mobile home parks, and such continuations are to be considered a part of the main sewer collection and main water distribution systems.

(f)

A solar contractor shall not be required to subcontract minor, as defined by board rule, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or roofing work so long as that work is within the scope of the license held by the solar contractor and where such work exclusively pertains to the installation of residential solar energy equipment as defined by rules of the board adopted in conjunction with the Electrical Contracting Licensing Board.

(g)

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

(5)

The certificate is not transferable.

(6)(a)

The board shall, by rule, designate those types of specialty contractors which may be certified under this part. The limit of the scope of work and responsibility of a specialty contractor shall be established by the board by rule. However, a certified specialty contractor category established by board rule exists as a voluntary statewide licensing category and does not create a mandatory licensing requirement. Any mandatory statewide construction contracting licensure requirement may only be established through specific statutory provision.

(b)

By July 1, 2025, the board shall, by rule, establish certified specialty contractor categories for voluntary licensure for all of the following:

1.

Structural aluminum or screen enclosures.

2.

Marine seawall work.

3.

Marine bulkhead work.

4.

Marine dock work.

5.

Marine pile driving.

6.

Structural masonry.

7.

Structural prestressed, precast concrete work.

8.

Rooftop solar heating installation.

9.

Structural steel.

10.

Window and door installation, including garage door installation and hurricane or windstorm protection.

11.

Plaster and lath.

12.

Structural carpentry.

(7)

Fla. Stat. § 475.180 — Nonresident licenses

475.180

Nonresident licenses.

—

(1)

Notwithstanding the prelicensure requirements set forth under ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175, the commission in its discretion may enter into written agreements with similar licensing authorities of other states, territories, or jurisdictions of the United States or foreign national jurisdictions to ensure for Florida licensees nonresident licensure opportunities comparable to those afforded to nonresidents by this section. Whenever the commission determines that another jurisdiction does not offer nonresident licensure to Florida licensees substantially comparable to those afforded to licensees of that jurisdiction by this section, the commission shall require licensees of that jurisdiction who apply for nonresident licensure to meet education, experience, and examination requirements substantially comparable to those required by that jurisdiction with respect to Florida licensees who seek nonresident licensure, not to exceed such requirements as prescribed in ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175.

(2)(a)

Any resident licensee who becomes a nonresident shall, within 60 days, notify the commission of the change in residency and comply with nonresident requirements. Failure to notify and comply is a violation of the license law, subject to the penalties in s. 475.25.

(b)