In Florida, when one unit of a multi-unit building is fumigated, the whole structure must be vacated and tested for clearance before anyone returns. Licensees must notify the state at least 24 hours before fumigation, and warning signs go on doors and the tent. The association usually coordinates the residents.
Key takeaways
- When one unit of a multi-unit structure is fumigated, the whole structure is vacated and tested for clearance.
- Licensees notify the state in writing at least 24 hours before a fumigation.
- For tent fumigation, warning signs are posted on doors and on the tent.
- The association usually arranges the notice to residents and the timetable.
- A walkthrough before quoting shows which units share attic, chase and wall space.
What does Florida require before a condo is tented?
Florida requires a licensee to notify the state in writing at least 24 hours before a fumigation, and requires warning signs on the doors and the tent. When any unit in a multi-unit structure is fumigated, the entire structure must be vacated and tested for clearance.
The notice requirement is set in Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes, the Structural Pest Control Act, which the state administers through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The sign and vacate rules are in the Florida Administrative Code.
These rules are the reason a condo tenting is planned with the association from the start. A unit owner cannot schedule the work alone, because the building is treated as one structure.
Who coordinates the residents and the schedule?
The association usually coordinates the schedule and the notice to residents, while the technician owns the treatment, the signs and the clearance testing. Splitting the work this way avoids most of the disputes condo owners report.
The walkthrough with the association shows which units share attic space, chases and walls, and where the tent would sit. The technician writes up the plan, and the association shares it with residents.
Residents usually need to be away for the treatment period and must wait for clearance before returning. The association and the technician agree on dates, and the technician confirms the state notice before the work is booked.
What happens after the tent comes down?
After the tent is removed, the structure is tested for clearance before residents return. The technician records the treatment and the clearance in the written report, so the association has a record for its files.
Clearance testing is part of the job, and residents should not return until it is complete. The technician explains the testing and the date the building is cleared.
A follow-up visit may be recommended for areas that need checking, such as trim or units that were not included in the first treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Do all the units have to be emptied for a condo tent?
Under Florida rules the whole structure is vacated when one unit is fumigated, so every resident is moved out for the treatment period. The association arranges the notice and the timetable.
How much notice does the state need?
At least 24 hours before the fumigation, given in writing by the licensee. The technician confirms the notice before the work is booked.
Can I ask for a copy of the building's plan?
Ask the association or the technician. A written plan is part of a well-run tent job, and (855) 974-4733 is the number to call to request one.
Sources
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 482, Structural Pest Control Act
- Florida Administrative Code, Rule 5E-14.111 (fumigation)
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, pest control
This guide is general information for Broward County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.