All properties determined to benefit from the proposed drainage and road improvements may potentially be assessed. This includes properties outside of subdivisions and those properties, which only have access using the roads proposed for improvements.

Multiple methods may be used to assess the benefiting properties.

1. Per parcel
2. Per platted lot
3. Per trip count
4. Per frontage foot

The county commission is not limited to using these options, though "per parcel" is used most frequently for projects related to drainage & roadway improvements.

Costs/fees associated with an assessment include:

• Statutorily mandated notices & mailings
• Regulatory inspections
• Testing
• Engineering design
• Bidding protocols & construction
• Contingency estimates
• Preparation & auditing processes performed by our department, the Office of the County Attorney, & the clerk's office

The total project cost is then divided amongst the benefitting parcels, platted lots, footage/mileage, or trip counts within the allotted project area. 

Assessments are payable for 10 or 15 years based on the bond and direction by the county commission. Assessments are included in the benefiting property's annual tax bill.

There is no penalty for paying the assessment costs prior to the payment due date.

Note: “It is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to have a building permit issues, in hand, and posted, prior to work start.” This is per the current Florida Building Code (FBC), and Florida Residential Code (FRC), and all referenced codes.

FBC Part 1 - Section 101 General

101.2 Scope. The provision of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.

FBC Part 1 – Section 105 Permits

105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Additional Pertinent Information

Additional pertinent information may be found in the following sections:

• FBC 102.2 Building Exemptions
• FBC 105.2 Work Exempt from Permit
• FBC 105.2.1 Emergency Repairs
• FBC 105.2.2 Minor Repairs
• FBC 105.4. 1 Permit Intent

If you’re not sure whether a permit is needed, call our office at 352-438-2400 or refer to the Florida Building Code, Chapter 1.

The utility company that owns the hydrant is legally responsible for maintaining it. Most fire departments, including Marion County Fire Rescue, do not own or install hydrants.

All swimming pools, above and in-ground, larger to equal to 24 inches in depth require a permit. Also, the child barrier and electric set up must meet FBC standards.

The utility company or hydrant owner is responsible for all maintenance (including painting) and repairs and of the fire hydrants.

Only during new road construction are driveways provided to occupied lots. Vacant lots do not receive a paved approach unless there is a fence and gate, or a building permit was issued prior to the beginning of the project's bidding process.

Applications may be submitted to our office. Permit applications will be processed in the order received. Processing time will depend on the level of permit activity and availability of staff trained to process permits. Those applications that require review by other departments may take several days to process.

A permit technician can provide you with an 'estimated' processing time for your permit application.

The estimated cost per parcel, per platted lot, per trip count, or per frontage foot varies.

Factors affecting the cost estimate include the number of benefiting parcels, the number of miles included in the project, & what type of project is being completed on the road (overlay, reclaim & resurface, new road construction, etc.). 

If a hydrant is leaking, call the utility company that owns the hydrant.

There are two options to pay in full. The first is the pre-payment option and the second is if you choose to pay the assessment off early.  

There is no pre-payment penalty. Each road assessment is given an option to pre-pay in full before the assessment is bonded.

If you choose to not pre-pay the assessment and it is then placed on your property tax bill as a lien, you then have the option to call the Clerk's Finance Department to get an official pay-off amount. The Clerk's Finance Department's phone number is (352) 671-5604. 

Although testing fire hydrants is the responsibility of the utility or hydrant owner, MCFR has implemented an aggressive program to test hydrants once a year. This program enables MCFR to ensure operational readiness and reduce ISO (Insurance Services Office) ratings. Many insurance companies use ISO ratings, based on a scale from one to 10 with one being best, when determining fire insurance premiums.

The following building permits require plan review:

• Fire alarm systems
• Fire suppression systems
• Mobile home additions
• New commercial additions or alterations
• New commercial structures
• New residential additions or alterations
• New residential structures
• Signs
• Swimming pools

To prevent cross-contamination avoid placing raw meat, poultry, or fish near fruits, vegetables and other ready-to-eat-foods.

Do not leave perishable in the temperature danger zone for more than two hours. The temperature danger zone is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Gateway to Government Food Safety website is an excellent consumer site providing information on the importance of a safe food supply and how to reduce risk of foodborne illness.

Similar to any other financing program, once the road project has been officially bonded, financing, interest, and borrowing fees are applied to the loan.

Paying the assessment during the assigned pre-payment period or paying the assessment in full prior to the loan's end date saves financing, borrowing, and interest applied after the pre-payment period has expired.

There are also no penalties for paying the assessment off early if you choose not to move forward with the pre-payment option. 

Most fire hydrants are painted red for easy identification. However, private utilities or hydrant owners may paint hydrants yellow to distinguish them from other systems.

Learn more about Hydrant Marking and Paint Regulations

You need to have the following on the job site at the time of inspection:

• Access to permitted construction work
• Animals restrained
• Building Safety stamp on plans
• Permit Inspection job card
• Work completed for inspection scheduled

MCFR places a metal tag on each hydrant for identification. This metal tag corresponds to a numeric identification used to capture data about the hydrant.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners is the primary legislative and policy-making body for Marion County. Each commissioner represents one of the five districts in which they reside. Contact commissioners by calling the Commission Office at 352-438-2323.

To register as a state-certified contractor in Marion County the applicant must provide the following:

• State license
• Proof of Workers' Compensation and liability insurance
• Driver’s license or government-issued ID
• A completed county licensing application

The pre-payment period begins upon receipt of the notice of special assessment.

This notice is mailed to all benefiting property owners after the final public hearing & includes all of the assessment details, such as:

• The amount owed by the property owner
• Payment due date
• Amount being assessed per year if the pre-payment is not made

A person applying to be a registered contractor in Marion County must provide the following:

• An application for reciprocity
• A letter of reciprocity from the county where testing took place
• State license
• A notarized letter of recommendation from a licensed contractor
• Proof of Workers' Compensation and liability insurance

The paperwork will then be scheduled to go before the Marion County License Review Board (LRB).

The County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9:00am in the Commission Auditorium, located at 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala.

Information about hydrant testing is available in an online database.

Construction may not officially begin until:

• The final public hearing is publicly noticed & held
• The awarded contractor has provided all required documents to Procurement Services
• A notice to proceed has been issued - typically within 60-75 days after the final public hearing

A stop sign is one of our most valuable and useful control devices used in the right place and under the right conditions. Stop signs help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right-of-way.

One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop or by causing such an inconvenience to force the traffic to use other routes. When stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers," there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the stop sign's immediate vicinity, and frequent speeds are higher between intersections. For these reasons, we choose not to use stop signs as a speed control device.

A school crossing may look dangerous for children to use, causing parents to demand a stop sign to halt traffic. A vehicle, which was only a problem for three seconds while approaching and passing the intersection, is now a problem for much longer and can create indecision. When should a pedestrian cross? When should the motorist move again? Typical gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely no longer exist. An intersection that previously wasn’t busy now looks like a major intersection. It isn't! It just appears that way.

Most drivers are reasonable and prudent, with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations. However, it may result in flagrant violations when an unreasonable restriction is imposed. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. These two attitudes can and often do conflict with tragic results.

Well-developed, nationally recognized guidelines help to indicate when such controls become necessary. These guidelines consider the probability of vehicles arriving at an intersection at the same time, the length of time traffic must wait to enter, and the availability of safe crossing opportunities.

MCFR tests hydrants in accordance with the recommended practices from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Insurance Services Office. Firefighters perform a full flow profile test every five years to measure the capacity of the hydrant. But during years two, three, four and five, crews also conduct a modified pressure test to measure water flow and check for leaks.

The overall operating budget includes the county administrator and 24 departments and offices, and is funded through General County Ad Valorem taxes and other revenue sources. Ad valorem taxes are also used to fund the elected constitutional officers, state mandated programs, such as Medicaid, and various other programs.

An application can be made with Marion County Building Safety as a contractor desiring to do business in Marion County. Each applicant must demonstrate competency by providing either a letter of reciprocity from another Florida county or by taking an exam.

Steps to Obtain a Local Competency Card

The following steps are needed to obtain a local competency card:

• A completed application for sponsorship/exam
• Documentation to prove four years of experience in the specific trade, with at least one of those years working in a supervisory capacity.
• A notarized letter of recommendation from a licensed contractor.

Submit these materials to the Building Safety’s Licensing Division. The paperwork will then go before the Marion County License Review Board (LRB). Additionally, each contractor must provide evidence of Workers' Compensation and liability insurance and proof of Fictitious Name filing, if applicable.

This is a common request from parents, who want to post a general warning sign that reads "SLOW, CHILDREN AT PLAY" or other similar messages. Parental concern for children's safety and a misplaced but widespread public faith in traffic signs to provide protection often prompts these requests.

Although some municipalities have posted such signs widely in residential areas, no factual evidence has been presented to document their success in reducing pedestrian accidents, operating speeds, or legal liability. Studies have shown many signs attempting to warn drivers about normal conditions in residential areas have failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. If signs encourage parents and children to believe they have an added degree of protection, something these signs cannot provide, this results in a great disservice.

Because of these serious considerations, Marion County and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration do not recognize the use of "Children-At-Play" signs. The law requires all signs used on streets and highways to comply with the standards contained in the MUTCD. Specific warnings for schools are used where justified. Children should not be encouraged to play within the street travel ways. The sign has long been rejected since it is a direct and open suggestion that this behavior is acceptable.

Refunds are determined after the end of the one-year warranty period by Marion County.

All costs are calculated by the clerk's office, who then submits an amended assessment listing to the county commission for approval.

If it is determined that a refund is owed, a refund will then be submitted for payment in one of two ways:

1. If full payment was collected during the assigned pre-payment period, a refund will be issued via check.
2. For those choosing to have the assessment placed on their annual property taxes, a discount will be included in the annual assessment amount.

The current policy is that the county does not allow speed humps on county-maintained roads or public rights-of-way.

Depending on the nature of your concern, you may wish to contact specific departments or agencies. Marion County government handles concerns or issues reported for unincorporated areas of Marion County (outside the municipalities of Belleview, Dunnellon and Ocala).

If you live in an unincorporated area of Marion County, use the contact info below.

• For lost and found pets or other animal-related concerns, contact Animal Services at 352-671-8700.
• For road, traffic or stormwater concerns, contact the Office of the County Engineer at 352-671-8686.
• For planning, zoning or code concerns, contact Growth Services at 352-438-2600.

If you live within a city, contact your municipality directly at the numbers below.

• City of Belleview: 352-245-7021
• City of Dunnellon: 352-465-8500
• City of Ocala: 352-369-CITY (2489)

Applicants will typically wait between one to two weeks depending on the department.

Once a position is closed, all applications are sent directly to the department within three days after the closing date. The department may choose to interview all applicants or will choose only the top applicants and contact those applicants directly to set up an interview.

The department typically contacts applicants selected for an interview within two weeks of receiving the applications.

Please reach out to the clerk's office for an official pay-off amount of your assessment via 352-671-5604.

Yes, you can apply for a building permit if you are not a licensed contractor.

Per Florida Statutes, ss:489.103, “Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors, when building or improving farm outbuildings or one-or-two family residences on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease, or building or improving commercial buildings, at a cost not to exceed $75,000.00 on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not for sale or lease.”

Contact Marion County Fire Rescue during normal business hours at 352-291-8000. Staff will fax or mail a letter to the insurance company describing how many fire engines and firefighters will respond to a location in the event of a fire emergency.

Belleview Baldeagles

For any type of court record (marriage license, divorce records, citations, arrest records, etc.), contact the Marion County Clerk of the Court's office at 352-671-5674 or visit the clerk's website.

Traffic signals don't always prevent accidents. Signals are not always an asset to traffic control. The installation of an unwarranted traffic signal could increase the total number of accidents and severe injury accidents in an intersection. Usually, in such instances, right-angle collisions would be reduced by traffic signals, but the total number of crashes, specifically rear-end collisions, would increase.

There are times when installing specific signals results in an increase in pedestrian accidents. Many pedestrians feel secure with a painted crosswalk and a red light between them and an approaching vehicle. On the other hand, the motorist is not always so quick to recognize these "barriers."

When can a traffic signal be an asset instead of a liability to safety? To answer this, traffic engineers have to ask and answer a series of questions:

• Are there enough cars on both streets that signal controls are necessary to clear up confusion or relieve congestion?
• Is the traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side road will try to cross when unsafe?
• Are there so many pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street that confusing, congested, or hazardous conditions result?
• Are there so many schoolchildren trying to cross the street at the same time that they need unique controls for their protection?
• If so, is a traffic signal the best solution?
• Are signals at this location going to help drivers maintain a consistent pace along the route without stopping unnecessarily?
• Does the collision history indicate that signal controls will reduce the probability of collisions?
• Do two arterials intersect at this location, and will a signal help improve traffic flow?

To aid them in answering these questions, engineers compare the existing conditions with nationally accepted minimum guidelines. Experienced traffic engineers established these guidelines (warrants) from many observations at intersections throughout the country. Where guidelines were met, the signals generally were operating effectively with good public compliance. Where guidelines were not met, it reduced public compliance and resulted in additional hazards.

A traffic signal that decreases accidents and improves the flow of traffic is an asset to any community. On the other hand, an ill-advised or poorly designed signal can be a source of danger and annoyance to all that use the intersection.

Please reach out to the our office concerning a current or previous improvement project at 352-438-2650. We will be happy to answer your questions or provide any information on any of our projects.

The Marion County License Review Board is responsible for hearing cases related to the following:

• Applications for Licensure
• Appeals of decisions of the building official
• Appeals of unsafe building determination by the Building Official
• Violations of contracting rules in county ordinances and state statutes

Each posted and advertised position includes a salary range and lists the base pay to the maximum level of compensation. If the applicant exceeds the minimum qualifications for the position, the department may provide justification and recommend hiring above the minimum entry-level for the position. However, this is dependent on budget restraints. Marion County’s salary and benefits packages are competitive with similar private sector positions.

Sorry, we can't pull emergency units out of service to measure distances. However, our interactive online hydrant locator may help.

MCFR uses the closest address or intersection to identify each hydrant. Due to new construction, some hydrants are only assigned to the road itself. The hydrant address is an approximation.

In most cases, the requests do not fit the criteria for the installation of a guardrail system. The county has a long-standing policy against installing guardrails to protect fences or bushes.

The Building Safety Director/Building Official is responsible for the following:

• Adopting policies and procedures to clarify the application of provision of the FBC
• Enforcing the FBC
• Interpreting the FBC
• Identifying and abating unsafe buildings or systems
• All operations of Building Safety

Most positions begin work at 8:00am and end at 5:00pm, with a one-hour (unpaid) lunch break. The county understands employees have personal needs and attempts to meet those needs by restructuring work hours if necessary, all while ensuring county services are provided effectively and efficiently.

Departments may allow employees to work a flexible schedule provided they meet the required total number of work hours that week. For example, full-time employees may work 10-hours-a-day for four days, or begin work at 7:00am and end their day at 4:00pm. The county also offers part-time positions, all of which have different work schedules depending on department needs. For example, emergency personnel like firefighters work 24-hour shifts with 48 hours off between shifts.

Property records are available from the Marion County Property Appraiser's office.

Several projects will typically be "bundled" for bonding and finance savings if "bundling" has been approved at the final public hearings by the county commission.

The amount owed by each assessment area is derived by dividing the number of assessable areas into the financing costs. The more projects that share financing costs, the lower the overall interest assigned to each project area. (Ideally, the more projects that can be added into a "bundled" proposal, the lower the interest rate.)

These cost savings are then passed on to the benefiting property owners. 

As a public service and to increase awareness of highway safety, our Traffic Operations group will fabricate and install Roadside Memorial Markers within rights-of-way of the County’s Maintained Road System to:

• Memorialize people who have died as a result of a vehicle-related crash.
• Remind motorists to protect human life by driving safely.

Requests for Roadside Memorial Markers require a form. The form may be obtained in person, by emailing permitting@marionfl.org or calling 352-671-8686. Requests for markers may be made by immediate family members or friends, with requests from friends requiring the approval of the deceased's immediate family. The form will require how the deceased’s name should appear on the marker, requestor or authorized representative information, date of accident, and requested placement location. If approved for installation, markers may be allowed for placement for a period of three years. Exact location of placement will be at the discretion of the Office of the County Engineer. Standardized signs are installed with: "Drive Safely," "In Memory," and the deceased’s name. No additional adornments shall be placed at the location of or on a marker.

Top benefits of improving nearby roadway conditions include:

1. Higher re-sale prices of corresponding properties.
2. Expensive vehicle repairs caused by poor road conditions may be reduced or eliminated.
3. Not funded through property tax.
4. Filters & damages to your home & vehicle ventilation systems may be reduced or even eliminated due to the reduction of dust & dirt created by traffic along the roadway.
5. Breathing problems & respiratory issues may also be reduced due to the reduction of dust & dirt created by traffic along the roadway.
6. Property owners have opportunities to assess roads on their own & have their roads improved, which may not have been an option under other circumstances.
7. Property owners are never assessed for roads that do not directly benefit their property.
8. Costs are shared by every property owner who directly benefits from the project.
9. Helps to increase and improve community engagement and relationships.
10. Road assessments can be paid in full at any time without penalty.

Regular, full-time employees working 35 hours or more per week are eligible for health, life, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance and will participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS).

Tax records and information are available at the Marion County Tax Collector's office. Contact that office at 352-368-8200.

The Marion County Building Official and the Florida Building Commission can render interpretations of the FBC.

Fire codes did not originally require developers to install fire hydrants, but that has now changed. New developments must include hydrants connected to large diameter water mains. In contrast, many older neighborhoods are served by septic tanks and well water with no water mains nearby. The cost to install water mains throughout the county is not doable because of the cost.

No, we do not manufacture and sell signs to the public. Check the yellow pages for private companies that provide this service.

Yes! Learn more about the road assessment process with the informational video.

Marion County has a wide variety of volunteer and internship opportunities at departments ranging from Animal Services and Fire Rescue to Veterans Services and the Public Library System. For more information, view the Volunteer/Interns Program page.

Death certificates may be ordered online from the Florida Department of Health.

Order a death certificate

MCFR's class-A fire engines carry a minimum of 750 gallons each. When a house fire occurs, the three closest fire engines immediately respond simultaneously with trained firefighters. In areas with no hydrants, a large tanker truck that carries 2,500 to 5,000 gallons of water will also respond. Many fires, if immediately reported to 9-1-1, are extinguished with less than 500 gallons of water.

Contact MCFR Headquarters at 352-291-8000 if you have additional questions.

The Marion County Fire Marshal and the state fire marshal can interpret the provisions of the Florida Fire Code.