WallDockDeck
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Public records request for seawall permit history

Before you buy, sell, or answer a notice, you need the wall's permit history: what was permitted, when, and whether each permit closed. In Florida these are public records. Under s. 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, “all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person.” This letter asks for everything relevant in one request.

This is a template, not legal advice. Have an attorney review anything you sign or send in a dispute.

Before you use it

What the law says about accessUnder s. 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, the custodian of a public record must permit it to be inspected and copied by any person, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions.
What it can costUnder s. 119.07(4), the custodian may charge up to 15 cents per one-sided copy, and a reasonable special service charge where a request needs extensive use of information technology or extensive clerical or supervisory help. Asking for electronic copies and a cost estimate first avoids surprises.
Send a second copy to the county where it appliesCity permits are not the whole record. In Miami-Dade, for example, county environmental permitting runs on top of the city permit; see the Miami-Dade page. Address a copy of this request to that agency too.
Search firstMany building departments have an online permit search. It is a quick first look, but often incomplete for older permits, which is when this request earns its keep.

Source: s. 119.01, Florida Statutes · s. 119.07, Florida Statutes · Checked 2026-10-03

The template

Fill in the lines by hand or copy the text into your own document.

Public records request for seawall permit history

Date: ______________________

To: Records Custodian, Building Department, City of ______________________
Address: ____________________________________________
Email: ______________________________

Re: Public records request, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes
Property address: ____________________________________________
Folio or parcel number: ______________________

Dear Records Custodian,

Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, I request copies of the following public records for the property above, for the period from ______________ to the present:

  1. All permits, permit applications and permit cards for seawalls, bulkheads, docks, piers, boat lifts, riprap, waterfront decks and any other marine or shoreline structure.
  2. Inspection records for those permits, including final inspections, certificates of completion and any record of a permit being closed, expired, cancelled or still open.
  3. Plans, engineering drawings, surveys and elevation certificates submitted with those applications.
  4. Any code enforcement case, notice of violation, hearing record or lien relating to the property's seawall or shoreline.
  5. Correspondence between the city and the owner, or the owner's contractor or engineer, about the above.

I would prefer electronic copies by email. If the cost of fulfilling this request will be more than ______________ dollars, please tell me the estimated amount before you proceed.

If any record or part of a record is withheld, please tell me which one and the statutory exemption you are relying on, and provide the rest.

Please confirm you have received this request. I can be reached at ______________________ (phone) or ______________________________ (email).

Thank you,

______________________________
Printed name: ______________________________
Mailing address: ______________________________

This is a template, not legal advice. Have an attorney review anything you sign or send in a dispute.

From walldockdeck.com/free/templates/public-records-request-permit-history/

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