The City of Panama City's Planning & Land Use Services Division must approve the site building plan for any commercial construction project prior to the issuance of a building permit by the Bay County Builders Services Division. To obtain a "Commercial Site Plan Completeness Checklist" contact the City's Planning and Land Use Services Division.
After review and approval of the site plan the City will issue a Development Order. Upon receipt of the Development Order issued by the City, the Bay County Builders Services Division will review the site plan and upon approval of construction plan documents issue a building permit. After the completion of the construction project, the City will conduct a final inspection and upon approval issue a Certificate of Acceptance. After the receipt of the Certificate of Acceptance issued by the City, the Bay County Builders Services Division will make a final inspection of the construction project and upon approval issue a Certificate of Occupancy. The City's Planning & Land Use Services Division is located in City Hall at 9 Harrison Avenue. The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 850-872-3025.
To obtain an application for a commercial building permit contact the Bay County Builders Services Division. The Builder Services Division is open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Builders Services Division's phone number is 850-248-8350.
Inspection of Work in Progress:
Inspection for Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas and Electrical work in progress at a commercial location may be obtained by contacting the Bay County Builders Services Division located at 840 W. 11th Street, Panama City, Florida. When calling for Inspection, you must give your permit number, the name the permit was purchased under and the address where the work is taking place.
Inspection requests received before 8:00 a. m. will be made, if possible, the same day. Requests for inspection received after 8:00 a.m. will be scheduled for the next working day. The office hours of the Bay County Builders Services Division are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Bay County Builder Services Division at 850-248-8350.
Certificate of Occupancy for a Commercial Building:
All buildings are subject to the Standard Building Code when built and cannot be occupied until the City issues a Certificate of Acceptance and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the Bay County Builders Services Divisions. Upon completion of the building, the parking area and the installation of all required landscaping, the builder must call the Planning and Land Use Services Division and request a site inspection at least 48 hours in advanced.
Planning and Land Use Services Division has 5 working days to accomplish the inspection. After all aspects of the project have been approved by the City's Planning and Land Use Services Division, a Certificate of Acceptance will be issued. Upon receipt of a Certificate of Acceptance the Builder must notify the Bay County Builders Services Division and request a final site inspection. Upon approval of the completed building project by the Bay County Builders Services Division, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued. For additional information, please call the Planning and Land Use Services Division at 850-872-3025.
