Resources and Contact Information for Permit Inspections

Review the section below pertaining to your type of work.

• Commercial Site

  Commercial projects are processed by the Building Inspection Division. The Public Works Engineering Division performs several inspections during the construction phase including a pre-construction meeting, interim site inspections, and a final inspection.

  Public Works Engineering Inspectors shall be notified through the Community & Economic Development iMS System or IVR system for a pre-construction meeting at least 48 hours prior to beginning any site construction activities.  

  You can schedule an inspection on your permit through iMS, call the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) number, or text SelectTXT.

  IVR: 863.226.1519    

  SelectTXT: 877.667.1720    

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  Access iMS

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  Public Works Engineering Inspectors perform inspections for driveways, public sidewalks, solid waste enclosures, erosion control, and other aspects of a project site.  All work must comply with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.

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  If you have any questions related to a driveway, solid waste enclosure, and/or erosion control please contact our chief inspector, Phil Hart | 863.510.6258.

• Demolition

  Demolitions are processed by the Building Inspection Division and inspected by the Public Works Engineering Division.  

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  Public Works Engineering Inspectors shall be notified through the Community & Economic Development iMS System or IVR system for a pre-construction meeting at least 48 hours prior to beginning any site activities.  

  You can schedule an inspection on your permit through iMS, call the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) number, or text SelectTXT.

  IVR: 863.226.1519    

  SelectTXT: 877.667.1720    

  Questions:  Please contact our chief inspector: Phil Hart | 863.510.6258

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  All work must comply with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.

• Residential Driveway

  Driveways are processed by the Building Inspection Division and inspected by the Public Works Engineering Division.

  Public Works Engineering Inspectors shall be notified through the Community & Economic Development iMS System or IVR system for a pre-construction meeting at least 48 hours prior to beginning any site activities.  

  You can schedule an inspection on your permit through iMS, call the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) number, or text SelectTXT.

  IVR: 863.226.1519    

  SelectTXT: 877.667.1720    

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  Access iMS

  In case of difficulties with the iMS or IVR systems, call 863.834.4IMS (863.834.4467). 

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  All work must comply with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.

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  Please contact Phil Hart at 863.510.6258 for information on how to install your new driveway. 

• Right-of-Way Use

  Any work within the City of Lakeland right-of-way of any nature, including road or sidewalk closures, will require a Right-of-Way Use Permit through the Public Works Engineering Division, prior to commencement of any work.

  All work within the right-of-way shall be in full compliance with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.  A "Maintenance of Traffic Plan" shall be required for all traffic detours, lane closures and/or construction work within City rights-of-way.    

  Public Works Engineering Inspectors shall be notified through the Community & Economic Development iMS System or IVR system for a pre-construction meeting at least 48 hours prior to beginning any site activities.  

  You can schedule an inspection on your permit through iMS, call the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) number, or text SelectTXT.

  IVR: 863.226.1519    

  SelectTXT: 877.667.1720    

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  Access iMS

  In case of difficulties with the iMS or IVR systems, call 863.834.4IMS (863.834.4467). 

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  Below are some valuable resources to use during construction:

  • Permit fee schedule (Permit fees range from $0 to $500 with extensions from $500 to $1500, please see the fee schedule to obtain correct costs.)
  • Permit Provisions

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  Please contact David Stroud at 863.834.8437 for information on how to apply for a right-of-way use permit.  Please contact Phil Hart at 863.510.6258 with any field-related questions.

• Fees for Right-of-Way Non-Utility Permit

   

  Tier	Fee	Duration (Calendar Day)	Travel Lane Closure	Sidewalk Closure Length	DRT meeting	Area
  1	None	Up to 90 Days	None	Up to 300 feet	Not Required	Outside Downtown
  2	$250	91-150 Days	Yes	Over 300 feet	Not Required	Outside Downtown
  3	None	Up to 30 Days	None	Up to 150 feet	Not Required	Inside Downtown
  4	$250	31-90 Days	Up to 7 consecutive calendar days	151-300 feet	Required	Inside Downtown
  5	$500	91-150 Days	8 to 21 Consecutive calendar days	Over 300 feet	Required	Inside Downtown
  Extension Fee Schedule	---------------------------	Penalties	--------------------------		Inside Downtown Area	-----------------------------
  Extension	Fee	Penalty Description	Fee		Parking Spaces	On-Street Parking Fees
  First	$500	Working without a permit	$500		Second	$70 Monthly
  Second	$1,000	Violating permit condition	$500		Third	$180 Monthly = $70+$110
  Third	$1,500	Substantial inactivity in R/W for 7 or more consecutive days	$250		Fourth	$330 Monthly =$70+$110+$150
  					Fifth	$660 Monthly*
  					Sixth	$1320 Monthly *
  					*fees continue to double for any additional parking spaces and requests for four spaces or more must be approved in writing by the Public Works Director
  Sidewalk or Parklet Permit	$100 Annually for duration of the cafe or parklet

   

• Permit Provisions

  Permit Provisions which are accepted during the permit process

• Right-of-Way Use for Utilities

  Any work within the City of Lakeland right-of-way of any nature, relating to internal City of Lakeland utilities (such as Fiber, Water, Wastewater or Electric) or relating to external partners (such as Gas, Cable) will require a Utility Right-of-Way Use Permit through the Public Works Engineering Division, prior to commencement of any work.

  All work within the right-of-way shall be in full compliance with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.  A "Maintenance of Traffic Plan" shall be required for all traffic detours, lane closures and/or construction work within City rights-of-way.  The Traffic Operations Division shall approve said plan and shall be notified at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance at telephone number 863.834.3491.  

  Please request the permit form from staff below to initiate the process. Upon approval of the permit, you will receive an email with the attached permit.

  Please contact David Stroud at 863.834.8437 for questions on applying for a right-of-way use permit.  Please contact Phil Hart at 863.510.6258 with any field-related questions.

• Sidewalk Cafe and Sidewalk Parklet

  A business must obtain a ROW Non-Utility permit from the City of Lakeland's Public Works Department to authorize use of the public right of way for a sidewalk cafe or parklet. 

  Public Works shall be notified through the Community & Economic Development iMS System or IVR system prior to beginning any site activities.  

  You can schedule an inspection on your permit through iMS, call the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) number, or text SelectTXT.

  IVR: 863.226.1519    

  SelectTXT: 877.667.1720    

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  Access iMS

  In case of difficulties with the iMS or IVR systems, call 863.834.4IMS (863.834.4467). 

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  Questions on Sidewalk Cafe and Parklets Permit Standards and Conditions may be sent to Ryan Lazenby.

  Sidewalk Cafe and Parklets also have an annual recurring fee of $100 per city resolution 5744 adopted February 21, 2022.

• Site Alteration (Site Work)

  The Public Works Engineering Division performs several inspections during the demolition phase.  General Conditions for Approval may be downloaded.

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  If you have any questions related to your demolition, please contact our chief inspector below::

  • Phil Hart | 863.510.6258

  Public Works Engineering Inspectors perform inspections for erosion control and other aspects of the project site.  All work must comply with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.

   

• Subdivision

  The Public Works Engineering Division will issue a Letter of Authorization to Begin Construction upon approval of a set of subdivision plans.  Upon approval, the developer is required to schedule a pre-construction meeting at least 48 hours prior to starting construction.  

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  Pre-Construction Meeting Attendees

  The following individuals shall be invited to the pre-construction meeting:

  PUBLIC WORKS
  Phil Hart
  O: 863.834.6246
  C: 863.510.6285

  WATER AND WASTEWATER
  Gina Graham
  O: 863.834.8327

  LAKELAND ELECTRIC
  Luis Duran
  O: 863-834-6580

  PARKS & RECREATION
  Bill Koen
  O: 863-834-2233

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  Compliance

  All construction shall be in compliance with the City of Lakeland Engineering Standards Manual.  A set of the City approved final construction plans shall be kept at the construction site for inspection.

  During construction, any modifications to the plans must be re-approved by the City.

  Copies of all permits necessary for construction from FDEP, SWFWMD, US Army Corp, FDOT, Polk County, etcetera, shall be kept on-site for the entire duration of construction.  Upon completion of the improvements, please make a request to the City inspectors for a final inspection, which will be required prior to the final approval of your construction by the City.  The Engineer of Record will also need to submit the required certifications and as-built records to the City for review and approval.

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  Developers are encouraged to submit plan geometry as early as possible in order to provide time to complete reviews in advance of construction completion.