Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division regulates motor vehicle repair facilities, as detailed in Chapter 20-176.70 of the Broward County Code. Any person or entity that repairs motor vehicles for compensation, or as part of a regularly conducted business located in Broward County, must obtain and maintain a license issued by the Division. Among other requirements, a shop must employ at least one (1) certified technician in the category for which the facility is licensed. Technicians must have a certification issued by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, or a local certification issued by the American Advanced Technicians Institute Corporation. Additionally, a person or entity may not advertise auto body shop services without maintaining a current license.
These regulations are contained within the Broward County Consumer Protection Code and were enacted to safeguard the life, health, safety, property and welfare of Broward County residents and visitors. The purpose is to provide a uniform system for the licensure and regulation of business enterprises which are engaged in or which intend to engage in repairing, motor vehicles for compensation, and to ensure the proper handling of hazardous wastes generated by the repair of motor vehicles thereby protecting the air and water quality in Broward County.
New shops must be in compliance with licensing requirements before they advertise or open for business. The annual license period runs from October 1 through September 30 of each year. Renewal notifications are forwarded to shops approximately 60 days before the license expires.
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New/Renew Shop License
Applying for an Auto Repair Shop License
Note: License expires on September 30 of each year.
To apply, you must provide:
You must first complete steps 1 and 2. Then provide the documentation in steps 4 - 9.
- Submit a completed application for " Auto Repair License Application (PDF) ".
- License fee is $275. Payable by cash (in person only), check, credit card (PDF) (except American Express), or money order. Checks made payable to: Broward County Commissioners .
- Provide a current Broward County Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License).
- Provide a current City Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License) .
- Provide a current Broward County Hazardous Material License or exemption letter.
- Provide a copy of the Garage Liability and Garage Keeper's Legal liability certificates of insurance evidencing adequate insurance coverage in full force and effect. Note: The certificate must list the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division as a certificate holder and must provide at least 30 days advance notice of cancellation.
- Provide a copy of your most recent hazardous waste manifest (within 6 months).
- Submit a minimum of one certified technician application (PDF) with the ASE or AATI certificate copies. In addition, all technicians, trainees and lube and tire employees must be registered.
- Provide a copy of the articles of incorporation. If operating under a fictitious name, then the business must provide a copy of an active, current fictitious name registration issued by the Florida Division of Corporations.
Once the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division has processed your registration fees, and verified that all the above information has been submitted and is complete, we will mail your new license.
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New/Renew Technician/Trainee License
Applying for an Auto Repair Shop Technician, Trainee or Lube and Tire Permit
Note: License expires on September 30 of each year.
To apply, you must provide:
- Completed Application
- Fee(s)
- Copies of ASE or AATI Certificates (if applicable)
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Submit a completed application for "Auto Repair Technician, Trainee, or Lube and Tire Permit (PDF)"
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Permit fee is $50 for Certified Technicians and $20 for Trainees or Lube and Tire. Fee is payable by cash (in person only), check, credit card (PDF) (except American Express), or money order. Checks must be made payable to: Broward County Commissioners.
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Certified technicians must submit ASE or AATI certificate copies .
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Inspections
The Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division has a staff of inspection personnel who conduct shop inspections. Shops are inspected at least annually on a random basis. The ordinance requires that the Division inspectors be given access to the business premises of a person who provides auto repair services, to ascertain whether the license and registration is current and the employees of the facility are certified as required under the regulations. If the Division inspectors are refused entry or access to the business premises as stated above, the Division may obtain an inspection warrant pursuant to §§ 933.20 933.30, F.S., in order to ascertain compliance with the ordinance provisions.
Additionally, shops are required to maintain complete records of all operating information, including but not limited to repair estimates and/or invoices and statements for services rendered, and records of payments for services rendered. Such records shall be maintained for at least six (6) months. The shop must grant Division personnel access to these records for inspection or copying, upon five (5) days' prior notice and during regular business hours. All records and information inspected and not copied shall be confidential, except that records may be copied or made public for the purpose of license suspension or revocation proceedings.
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Enforcement
Any person or entity that is operating in violation of Chapter 20-176.70, et seq., of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, may be subject to civil penalties as provided by chapter 8 1/2 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, and penalties shall be imposed as set forth in the schedule of penalties therein.
Generally, where Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection inspectors find a business operating in violation of the regulations, they will issue a Notice of Violation to the person or entity, prior to the issuance of a citation. When issuing a Notice of Violation, the inspector shall set a reasonable time period within which the alleged violator must correct the violation. This determination shall be based on considerations of fairness, practicality, ease of correction, nature, extent, and probability of danger or damage to the public or property, and any other relevant factor relating to the reasonableness of the time period prescribed. However, an inspector is not required to issue a notice of violation and may immediately issue a citation to an alleged violator, if there is reason to believe that the violation presents a serious threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, if the violation is irreparable or irreversible, or if the violation is a repeat violation.
Where a shop comes into compliance within the time period noted on the Notice of Violation, no further action will be taken. However, if a shop continues to operate in violation of the ordinance, a citation may be issued. Violators may be subject to fines as outlined below in Chapter 8½-16 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances (PDF).
The Division is also authorized to enforce the provisions of ordinance by administrative fines of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation in accordance with the Consumer Protection Code, Division 1, section 20-159 et seq. Each day of a continuing violation shall be deemed a separate violation.
In addition to fines, the Division is authorized to enforce the provisions of this ordinance by suspension or revocation of a license and registration upon notice and hearing. Further, whenever any person has engaged in any acts or practices which constitute violations of any provision of this ordinance or the code, the state attorney or the county attorney's office may make application to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit for an order enjoining such acts or practices and for an order granting permanent injunction, restraining order, or other order enjoining such acts or practices, said orders to be granted without bond.
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