Surfside condo associations can recoup up to $200,000 in recertification permit fees
The town's grant reimburses building permit and review fees for 30- to 60-year safety recertifications, first come, first qualified. Unit owners can't apply on their own.
Condominium associations in Surfside can get back up to $200,000 per building in town permit fees for their required safety recertifications, under a grant program the town highlights in its November Gazette.
The Building Permit Recertification Fee Assistance Grant Program, created by the Town Commission in Resolution 2026-3495 and announced in April, covers multi-family condominium buildings that must complete 30-, 40-, 50- or 60-year recertifications. It reimburses municipal recertification permit fees, including structural and electrical review fees. It does not cover engineering, construction or repair costs, legal fees or fines.
Only the condominium association can apply; individual unit owners can’t apply on their own, the town says. Buildings must be in good standing, with no outstanding liens, unresolved code violations or unpaid town bills unless they are on an approved compliance plan.
Awards go out first come, first qualified, and depend on available funding. The town’s announcement does not say how much money the program has in total or set a deadline. Associations pay the fees first and are reimbursed after the Building and Finance departments verify payment and eligibility, with the town manager making final decisions.
An application needs proof that the recertification permit fees were paid, documentation that the building must recertify, a board resolution authorizing the request, a W-9 and payment information. Incomplete applications won’t be considered. The application form is on the town’s website.
The Gazette mentions the program in an item on a recent meeting between Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, Building Official Manuel A. Salazar and Melanie S. Griffin, secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, on condo safety. The town also offers reduced permit fees for structural and life-safety repairs, the Gazette says.
Questions go to the Surfside Building Department at 305-861-4863, according to the town.
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