Records

Tips on Records

Leon County Development Support and Environmental Management began keeping residential plans on file in 2002; there are no residential plan records on file prior to this date.
The Florida Building Code was adopted in March of 1973, and therefore, no building-related documents are available prior to this date.
View the DSEM Prefixes List for a list of definitions for the prefixes on DSEM permit numbers.
For septic tank records requests, please call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) at 850-245-4070.
DSEM records are updated daily with additional documents and efforts are underway to digitize historical documents, so please note there may be instances where some records are not available online. For older permits that show no records, please email the DSEM records division at DSEM_RECORDS@leoncountyfl.gov and include parcel identification number, address, and/or any other information that could assist in the retrieval of the records. If records are found they will be uploaded to the Accela Citizen Access page.

Public Records Request

Public Records Exemption Notice

DSEM is required by law to release public records unless you file an exemption form with the Leon County Attorney's Office.

Property Appraiser forms do not protect your records at DSEM. You must submit a separate form to the Leon County Attorney’s Office.
Download Leon County’s Exemption Form and Instructions.

Florida law allows certain persons to request that an agency not publicly disclose specific personal identifying information contained in any of its agency records. Please refer to sections 119.071(2), (4), and (5), Fla. Stat., or other applicable statutes for the scope of personal information protected. Such information may, in some cases, include your home address, phone numbers, photos, the name of your spouse and/or children, or dependents, and their place of employment, and/or school or daycare facility, and date of birth.

Please note, however, that if you qualify for exemption from public record disclosure, you must have an approved request form on file with the County Attorney’s Office which would specifically designate exemption from Leon County Development Support and Environmental Management records. If you have filed an exemption with the Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office, that exemption does not apply to any records that result from transactions conducted with the Department of Development Support and Environmental Management.

You may now access and download Development Support and Environmental Management (DSEM) permitting files online. To access, you can click on the following link (Accela Citizen Access) or access it through the Leon County Online Permit Portal link on the DSEM homepage. Once on the Accela Citizen Access page, click “lookup property information” and enter your permit/project number (example: LSW1800032 or any LB, LEM, LT, etc. that requires documents) in the search bar located in the upper right of the page then click the search indicator.

To download documents, click the drop-down box labeled “Record Info” on your selected document page and choose “attachments,” which will load all applicable permit/project documents. Select the document(s) for download/print/save.
To submit a Public Records Request for properties that are outside of City of Tallahassee limits, please send an email to Records that includes the address or parcel ID number and the specific records you are requesting.
To request commercial floor plans that fall under the following exempt status, please complete the Leon County Exempt Documents Distribution Form and email to Records.
- 119.071 General exemptions from inspection or copying of public records.
  1. Building plans, blueprints, schematic drawings, and diagrams, including draft, preliminary, and final formats, which depict the internal layout and structural elements of a building, arena, stadium, water treatment facility, or other structure owned or operated by an agency are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
  2. This exemption applies to building plans, blueprints, schematic drawings, and diagrams, including draft, preliminary, and final formats, which depict the internal layout and structural elements of a building, arena, stadium, water treatment facility, or other structure owned or operated by an agency before, on, or after the effective date of this act.
  3. Information made exempt by this paragraph may be disclosed: a. To another governmental entity if disclosure is necessary for the receiving entity to perform its duties and responsibilities; b. To a licensed architect, engineer, or contractor who is performing work on or related to the building, arena, stadium, water treatment facility, or other structure owned or operated by an agency; or c. Upon a showing of good cause before a court of competent jurisdiction.
  4. The entities or persons receiving such information shall maintain the exempt status of the information. (c)

Septic Permit Records

Please note that septic permits are now issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Applications can be submitted online through the Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System (OSTDS) Permit Application. For more information, please contact FDEP in-person at 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3596; via phone at 850-245-4070; or online at OSP-Help@Floridadep.gov.

For septic related records request, please contact Florida Department of Environmental Protection Onsite Sewage Program at 850-245-4070 or via email at OSTDS_Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov as FDEP is the custodian of all septic permit records in Leon County.

Open or Expired Building Permits

Lien Searches provides for the research of open or expired building permit requests. There is a $90 fee for this service.

Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Occupancy

Email all Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Occupancy requests to dsem_intake@leoncountyfl.gov. Include the permit number and address or parcel ID number for the subject site.

Leon County Extension or Reissuance Request

If your permit has expired or is nearing expiration, please fill out the Leon County Permit Extension Request form and return to dsem_intake@leoncountyfl.gov . Once received, the Building Official will review and provide a determination. If the request is approved, a $90 fee will be assessed. Please note that this process may take up to two business days.

NOTE: You must provide an explanation showing how circumstances beyond the control of the applicant prevented action from being taken to obtain approval before expiration.

Contact

Records Manager
Jordan Godwin
850-606-1368
DSEM_Records@LeonCountyFL.gov