Rules & Regulations
The section includes CRTN Rules We Live By, State of Florida Codes and Permit Requirements, CRTN Architectural Responsibility Matrix and other information about living in a cooperative building. There is also an article to help you understand the various types of meetings you will encounter as a shareholder.
Fort Lauderdale City Codes and Permit Requirements
WHY MUST CERTAIN WORK BE PERFORMED BY A LICENSED CONTRACTOR WITH A PERMIT?
By Anthony Martina #1209
Changing out an old toilet for a new one seems like a simple task. In the past we may have replaced toilets and water heaters doing it ourselves or we hired an unlicensed person without pulling a plumbing permit. Recently we learned that changing out a toilet or water heater for a new toilet or water heater in Fort Lauderdale requires a plumbing permit which can only be obtained by a licensed plumber. Unfortunately, unpermitted plumbing tasks (toilet and water heater change outs and more) have been found to be the source of numerous water leaks, and in some cases, water damage, not only to the unit owner but also to many floors below. Our hope is that this will help all of us understand the value of following the city ordinances. Below is a portion of the city code that covers plumbing. If you have questions or want more information, the Fort Lauderdale Building Department 24-hour customer service phone number is 954-828-8000.
Fort Lauderdale City Code
Section 105 - Permits
Section 105 - Permits
[A]105.1 Required.
Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
[A]105.1.1 Annual facility permit.
In lieu of an individual permit for each alteration to an existing electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing or interior nonstructural office system(s), the building official is authorized to issue an annual permit for any occupancy to facilitate routine or emergency service, repair, refurbishing, minor renovations of service systems or manufacturing equipment installations/relocations. The building official shall be notified of major changes and shall retain the right to make inspections at the facility site as deemed necessary. An annual facility permit shall be assessed with an annual fee and shall be valid for one year from date of issuance. A separate permit shall be obtained for each facility and for each construction trade, as applicable. The permit application shall contain a general description of the parameters of work intended to be performed during the year.
[A]105.1.2 Annual permit records.
The person to whom an annual permit is issued shall keep a detailed record of alterations made under such annual permit. The building official shall have access to such records at all times or such records shall be filed with the building official as designated.
[A]105.2 Work exempt from permit.
Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Gas:
1.Portable heating appliance.
2.Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
Mechanical:
1.Portable heating appliance.
2.Portable ventilation equipment.
3.Portable cooling unit.
4.Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5.Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6.Portable evaporative cooler.
7.Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of one horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.
8.The installation, replacement, removal or metering of any load management control device.
Plumbing:
1.The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2.The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
[A]105.2.1 Emergency repairs.
Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.
[A]105.2.2 Minor repairs.
Ordinary minor repairs may be made with the approval of the building official without a permit, provided the repairs do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring systems or mechanical equipment or other work affecting public health or general safety, and such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of the technical codes.
Meetings! Meetings! Meetings! What are the Differences
Meetings! Meetings! Meetings! Differences?
By Jan Bedoukian #808
Note: Published in the October 13, 2025 Issue of The Tower News
Board meetings, Committee meetings, Emergency meetings, Executive meetings and Annual meetings. What is the difference between these meetings and what actions can be taken in each of these? Roberts Rules of Order provides a guide on how to handle meetings; however, CRTN ByLaws and Florida Statute 719 dictate what can be addressed/done and actions taken.
● Board Meeting: CRTN holds Board of Directors meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month to address routine management issues of the association. The agenda for these meetings is posted 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Shareholders have the right to record or videotape Board of Directors meetings as well as the right to speak on agenda items. Minutes are taken and posted in the BuildingLink library.
● Special Members Meeting: These meetings can be held for a variety of
purposes with 48-hour notice. The purpose of the meeting must be stated in the notice and the business transacted must be confined to that purpose. Minutes are taken and posted in the BuildingLink library. (Note: A Budget Meeting is a special members meeting; however a 14-day notice is required.)
● Executive Meeting: These meetings are confidential and attended by Board
members only. The agenda for executive meetings is limited to confidential
topics, such as legal or personnel issues. A 48-hour notice is given. Minutes are confidential and not posted in BuildingLink.
● Committee Meeting: These meetings are composed of shareholders appointed by the president or committee chairman for a specific task, to explore various possibilities and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors. A committee can only recommend actions that may be taken. Shareholders have the right to attend.
● Emergency Meeting: Emergency meetings are called by the president of the Board of Directors to handle urgent issues that require immediate action. No advance notice is required. Discussions and any votes taken are limited to only the subject or subjects mentioned in the meeting notice. Minutes are taken and posted on the website.
● Annual Meeting: CRTN holds our annual meeting the third week of February each year. Notice for the annual meeting is sent to all shareholders a minimum of 14-days in advance of the meeting. On the agenda is the election of directors. If a quorum of shareholders is present, other authorized business can be conducted. Minutes are taken and once approved, posted in the library of the BuildingLink website.