Notice of Commencement in Florida
A Notice of Commencement, or NOC, is required for many Florida construction projects and can hold up inspections if it’s missing, expired, or incorrect. For residential work, the owner-builder or licensed contractor information must match the permit and recorded Notice of Commencement requirements.
What Exactly Is a Notice of Commencement?
A Notice of Commencement is a recorded document that gives public notice that improvements are being made to a property. It includes key information about the property, owner, contractor, lender when applicable, and the project.
An NOC is not itself a lien.
When Is a Notice of Commencement Required?
Florida law requires an NOC for many construction projects, but there are exceptions and dollar thresholds depending on the type of work.
When Does the NOC Need to Be Recorded?
The NOC is generally recorded before work begins and becomes especially important in the permitting process before inspections.
A permit can be issued before the recorded NOC is provided in some situations, but qualifying projects may not be able to move into inspections until the NOC requirement is satisfied.
How Long Is a Notice of Commencement Valid?
A Florida NOC generally expires one year after it is recorded unless a different expiration date is stated in the document.
Common NOC Problems
- NOC was never recorded
- Property information is incorrect
- Owner or contractor information does not match the permit
- NOC expired before the project was completed
- Wrong county was used for recording
- Required signatures or notarization are missing
- Recorded NOC was never properly connected to the permit record
A small paperwork issue can become a very real inspection delay.
What If the Contractor or Project Changes?
If the contractor, owner, scope, or other project information changes after the NOC is recorded, additional documentation or a new NOC may be needed depending on the circumstances.
Notice of Commencement FAQs
Does recording a Notice of Commencement create a lien on my property?
No. The NOC itself does not create a construction lien.
Can I record a Notice of Commencement myself in Florida?
Yes, although it still needs to meet Florida recording and notarization requirements.
Where is a Notice of Commencement recorded in Florida?
With the clerk or recorder in the county where the property is located.
What happens if my Notice of Commencement expires before the project is finished?
The project may require an amended or new NOC depending on the situation and jurisdiction.
Can an incorrect Notice of Commencement delay inspections?
Yes. If required information is missing or doesn’t match the permit record, the jurisdiction may require the issue to be corrected before inspections proceed.
Need Help With a Notice of Commencement?
Need a Florida Notice of Commencement prepared or recorded? Our permit experts manage NOC preparation, notarization requirements, electronic recording and delivery of the recorded document to the permit file.
In some cases, eligible NOCs can be electronically recorded and returned the same day, depending on the county and processing time.