EZCodeCalcs helps permit expediters, business owners, contractors, designers, and plans examiners understand common Florida code requirements before plans are submitted for permit review.
Many permit problems start before the permit application is ever submitted. A business owner may lease a space without knowing if the new use creates higher occupant load, plumbing fixture, ventilation, exhaust, accessibility, or alteration concerns. A permit expediter may be asked to submit documents without knowing what the building department may ask for. A designer may need a quick way to organize the basic code information before preparing drawings.
EZCodeCalcs is built to help organize those questions early. These tools do not replace the authority having jurisdiction, a licensed design professional, or a full code review. They help identify common code triggers and create clear worksheets that can be used before permit submittal.
Use these tools to better understand what information may be needed before submitting a permit package.
Check whether a new tenant space or change in use may create additional code requirements.
Use the calculators as a starting point for organizing occupant load, plumbing, ventilation, and use data.
Review common permit-related issues before work begins or before documents are sent for review.
Choose the calculator that matches the issue you are trying to understand. Each calculator is designed to help organize basic code information before permit submittal.
Estimate occupant load using the occupancy, use of space, and square footage.
Estimate minimum plumbing fixture requirements based on occupancy and occupant load.
Estimate outdoor air and ventilation requirements for common commercial spaces.
Use your Mechanical Code book and enter the required table information to determine the required mechanical ventilation for your project.
Like what you see in the calculator tools? If your project needs a more organized worksheet, comparison, or written explanation, you can request a PDF worksheet report. These reports are designed to organize basic project information in a clear format for discussion, planning, or pre-submittal preparation.
A worksheet report organizing occupant load information based on the occupancy, use of space, square footage, and customer-provided project information.
A worksheet showing estimated plumbing fixture information based on the submitted occupancy, use, occupant load, existing fixtures, and proposed fixtures.
A worksheet showing basic ventilation information that may be needed before permit submittal.
A worksheet report used to compare the existing condition with the proposed project so possible occupancy, use, alteration, plumbing, ventilation, exhaust, or accessibility concerns can be identified early.
The Occupancy / Use / Alteration Pre-Check Report is intended to help organize basic project information before permit submittal. It does not approve a project, replace a licensed design professional, or perform an official plan review.
A change of occupancy generally means the proposed project changes the occupancy classification of the space or building. This may create additional code requirements.
A change of use generally means the activity or function of the space changes, even if the occupancy classification may appear to stay the same. The new use may still affect occupant load, plumbing, ventilation, exhaust, accessibility, or other requirements.
An alteration generally means work is being performed on an existing building, system, space, or element. The level and type of work may determine which existing building requirements apply.
The purpose is to help identify possible areas that may need attention before submittal, not to issue approvals or replace the AHJ, architect, engineer, or licensed designer.
Start with the basic project information. If the project involves an existing building or tenant space, the previously permitted occupancy and use should be included. This information may need to be verified by the landlord, prior permit records, or the authority having jurisdiction.
The tools and worksheet reports help organize common issues such as occupant load, plumbing fixture counts, mechanical ventilation, exhaust, accessibility concerns, and possible use or alteration concerns.
Use the results to ask better questions, prepare better information, and reduce surprises before the permit package is submitted for review by the AHJ.
Have a code question or want a clearer explanation of a common permit issue? EZCodeCalcs can help organize the question, review the applicable code topic, and provide a written PDF explanation in simple language.
Submit a code question and receive a written PDF explanation that organizes the issue in simple language.
Listen to real-world discussions about difficult code questions, permit review problems, AHJ issues, and common construction code misunderstandings.
Have a code issue you would like discussed on a future CodeTalk podcast episode? Submit a topic suggestion.
If you are not sure which calculator, worksheet report, or code explainer applies to your project, start with a simple project intake form.