Using the Accela Portal

• Apply for permits
• View permit status
• Apply for temporary use permits (Special events, produce/food stands, fireworks sales, etc.)
• Pay fees
• Trust account deposits
• Schedule inspections
• Search for application by address, owner contractor or parcel number
• Print reports (Permit cards, certificate of occupancy, trust account transactions, etc.)
• Download building forms
  
  For Accela Citizen Access Portal assistance with building applications, please contact or (863) 534-6080.

• Apply for application (Plats, conditional uses, planned developments, land use amendments, text amendments, development agreements, variances, special exceptions, engineered site plans, waivers, non-conforming use determinations, land use verification letters and more)
• Pay application fees
• Search for applications by address, owner or parcel number
  
  For Accela Citizen Access Portal assistance with land development applications, please contact (863) 534-6449.

• File an alleged complaint/violation
• Search for violations/complaints by address, owner or parcel number
  
  For Accela Citizen Access Portal assistance with code enforcement cases, please contact (863) 534-6054.

VuSpex is a new software tool that will allow contractors to connect with Polk County inspectors quickly and more powerfully than ever before, all while seamlessly integrating with existing Accela software.

VuSpex allows contractors to schedule virtual/online inspections, provide pictures, videos, or request video conferences to complete inspections. VuSpex uses audio, video, and GPS locations that saves contractors time and money.

VuSpex is available for contractors to complete virtual/offline inspections for the following types of permits:

• HVAC change-outs
• Electrical service repairs and change-outs
• Water heater change-outs
• Window and door change-outs
• Re-roof
• New single family residence
• Residential renovations and additions (500 sq. ft. or less)
• Pre-fabricated sheds
• Fence wall
• Irrigation
• Slab

In the coming months, Polk County’s Building Division will provide updates on VuSpex, For instructional videos please visit here.

A professional engineer or architect who uses a digital signature to electronically sign and seal engineering plans shall have their identity authenticated by one of the following certification authorities:

1. IdenTrust
2. Entrust
3. DigiCert
4. Global Sign
5. Notarius Inc
6. Sectigo
7. Docusign Digital Signatures (Digital Certificates Only)
8. Adobe Digital Signatures (Digital Certificates Only)

Learn more about digital signatures and how to submit hard copies or electronically.

There are a few document standards that we recommend for best uploading performance. Please follow these guidelines in your document design to ensure correct processing in the Plan Room.

• All files must be in PDF file format other than boundary and topo surveys must be dwg and CSV files cannot be PDFs
• Maximum file size is 200MB
• Do not use encrypted or password-protected files
• Please do not combine any supporting documents in the same PDF file with any plan sheets
• Supporting documents will need to be uploaded as separate files (Building Ex. energy calcs, truss layouts, Florida Product Approvals, etc.)

Plans:

• A professional engineer or architect must leave a blank space on the top right hand corner of all construction plans to accommodate the county’s approval stamp
  • Building Division - 2-inch by 4-inch blank space on construction plans
  • Land Development - 2-inch by 2-inch blank space on construction plans
• An Index of plan sheets shall be provided (table of contents when exporting/publishing to the PDF (ex. include “Create bookmarks”) setting in AutoCad. Include sheet titles within a table of contents when possible
  • Sheet Numbering for Plans
    Each sheet number must be unique. Take that into account when the number is entered manually and also when verifying the sheet numbers.
    Tip - For best results your plan sets should include a table of contents, i.e., bookmarks, of the sheet names.
    Suggested order for table of contents is as follows:
    1. C (ex: cover sheet, construction plans)
    2. B (ex: boundary survey)
    3. G (ex: general notes)
    4. S (ex: structural, survey)
    5. A (ex: architectural)
    6. E (ex: electrical)
    7. M (ex: mechanical)
    8. P (ex: plumbing, preliminary plat)
    9. L (ex: landscaping)
    10. I (ex: irrigation)
    11. T (ex: topo)
• All Plans and profiles shall be at appropriate scale of sufficient size to show all detail.
• A title Block shall be shown on all sheets, and shall contain the following:
  1. Name of project
  2. Sheet number and total number of sheets
  3. Name, address and phone number of the responsible individual or professional
  4. Preparation date and date of any revisions
• Plan shall be on one or more sheets 24 inches by 36 inches
• Make sure sheet numbers are unique and consistent for each version of submitted plan pages
• When submitting revisions, please do not resubmit the entire plan set, only upload the sheets containing changes from the previous submission. Be sure to name each sheet exactly the same as the original.

Supporting Documents:

• You can submit supporting documents as individual files or as a single file with multiple pages
• Document files may be oriented in either landscape or portrait view

Are you having difficulties accessing a permit record in Citizen Access, uploading plans, or receiving status alert emails? Your Citizen Access account may not be linked to the permit record in question. Please contact the appropriate division below for access to the record in question.

Building Division
Phone: (863) 534-6080
Email: buildingdivision@polk-county.net

Land Development
Phone: (863) 534-6449