Emerald Coast Permitting, Inc.

Emerald Coast Permitting was formed in 2004 to provide consulting and expediting services to retail and restaurant developers, and help them navigate the ever-changing challenges of building codes, licensing, and permit acquisition. ECP has emerged as a nationally recognized success through what is now a proven, turnkey model for restaurant development and retail expediting.

Emerald Coast Permitting was formed in 2004 to provide consulting and expediting services to retail developers, and help them navigate the ever-changing challenges of building codes and permit acquisition. ECP has emerged as a nationally recognized success through a prototype turnkey model developed to assist retail developers and their individual retail and restaurant tenants.

The model is based on one point of accountability throughout the permitting process. It is customized to each project, to lessen or eliminate time delays from agencies having jurisdiction, and building and plan review departments. Through due diligence in the early stages of project development, ECP personally identifies and meets with the governing agencies and authorities of a project’s municipality to:

• Cultivate relationships with every agency and authority that will influence timelines
• Define jurisdictional requirements
• Define communication channels and methods
• Identify the permit process and components that impact that process
• Work with authorities to streamline their existing review process and timeline
• Work with authorities to streamline review comment resubmittals
• Represent the integrity of the project and concerns of the developer
• Verify fee and timing requirements
• Organize, manage and monitor on-the-ground associates

This turnkey concept is all-inclusive, meaning that ECP facilitates the following:
• Development orders
• Troubleshooting development order and plan review delays
• Permit research, assembly and submittal
• One-on-one coordination with architects, engineers, retail and food service tenants
• Integration with tenant coordination teams and guidelines
• Plan processing and permit acquisition
• State, county and municipal licensing
• Occupational licensing
• Contractor licensing
• Certificate acquisition
• Document preparation and recording
• Coordination among retail and food service tenants, architects and contractors
• Permit status tracking, monitoring and weekly reports to developers for large projects
• Complete follow-up and record keeping Restaurants – From conception through opening ECP facilitates the following:
• Construction permit plan review and permit acquisition
• State health (Division of Hotels and Restaurants) plan review and approval
• Food Service Establishment licensing and occupational licensing
• Certificate of Occupancy coordination with building department
• Opening inspection and licensing by health officials
• Beverage licensing
• Responsible Vendor and Staff Training/Licensing Programs

Typically, tenant coordinators recommend ECP as the preferred expeditor for the project, and services are retained by the retail and food service tenant. A set fee schedule and description of services may be published in tenant information packages or negotiated with tenants with special needs.