I thought the deal with Disney Worlds size they could build almost anything they wanted without any permits. Wasn't that the whole deal Walt Disney made with the state of Florida?
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Why does Disney World need building permits
- Thread starter THEMEPARKPIONEER
- Start date
Money for the gov... That's it....
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
No, the deal was that the Reedy Creek Improvement District would be created and able to be controlled by Disney. Reedy Creek Improvement District, as a public governing body, still has to oversee construction and follow certain processes. Many of the permits that are shown are filed with the South Florida Water Management Agency which includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District within its jurisdiction. Because Disney is the sole land owner and the Reedy Creek Improvement District establishes the zoning, Disney removes almost all third party input regarding projects.
Tom
Beta Return
False
Tom
Beta Return
All new construction falls under the laws of some governmental entity. Sometimes just at the state level, but often times under all levels from state down to county, city or town.
Nobody is exempt from meeting Building Code. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you're building. As mentioned above, most Disney property falls under the jurisdiction of RCID, which is a governmental agency. RCID maintains the EPCOT Building Code, which was implemented in the 60s and has been updated and maintained since then.
In most cases, it is more strict than other building codes, but it was necessary because "regular" building codes didn't account for some of the unique types of structures Disney needed to build. For instance, in 1965, Florida didn't have fiberglass buildings or faux rockwork in their building code. And therefor, Disney wouldn't have been able to build the castle or Jungle Cruise (examples).
The REAL purpose of Building Permits is to ensure code is followed. We all know that in many jurisdictions simply collect a fee and issue a piece of paper. But in legitimate jurisdictions, a Code Review Official will go through the submitted plans and check for code or life safety violations. They will then inspect the work periodically to ensure it it being built per the plans. The permit fee goes toward that person's time.
The "permits" you see referenced on this site are actually "Notices of Commencement". Those are filed with the county, and are merely to serve as written documentation that a 3rd party is performing work on real property. Should an entity not receive payment for their work, they can file a Lien against the property owner, and the county will facilitate the process. The NOC serves as the beginning of the paper trail.
Also, as mentioned by someone else, Disney's engineers will submit plans to the South Florida Water Management District for the purpose of managing ground water. These are not building permits, but more of a zoning/environmental control measure. If the SFWMD doesn't approve the civil/site plans, the project does not move forward. They make sure that if earth is covered by a building or pavement, that same amount of absorption area is offset somewhere else - usually by way of retention ponds or underground water storage (like in Fantasyland).
We never see actual Building Permits, because they're issued by RCID, and they're not posted online. I'm sure someone could go to RCID's offices and file a request, but that would be a huge pain in the butt.
Long story short - Disney is nowhere near exempt from any sort of permitting process.
Nobody is exempt from meeting Building Code. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you're building. As mentioned above, most Disney property falls under the jurisdiction of RCID, which is a governmental agency. RCID maintains the EPCOT Building Code, which was implemented in the 60s and has been updated and maintained since then.
In most cases, it is more strict than other building codes, but it was necessary because "regular" building codes didn't account for some of the unique types of structures Disney needed to build. For instance, in 1965, Florida didn't have fiberglass buildings or faux rockwork in their building code. And therefor, Disney wouldn't have been able to build the castle or Jungle Cruise (examples).
The REAL purpose of Building Permits is to ensure code is followed. We all know that in many jurisdictions simply collect a fee and issue a piece of paper. But in legitimate jurisdictions, a Code Review Official will go through the submitted plans and check for code or life safety violations. They will then inspect the work periodically to ensure it it being built per the plans. The permit fee goes toward that person's time.
The "permits" you see referenced on this site are actually "Notices of Commencement". Those are filed with the county, and are merely to serve as written documentation that a 3rd party is performing work on real property. Should an entity not receive payment for their work, they can file a Lien against the property owner, and the county will facilitate the process. The NOC serves as the beginning of the paper trail.
Also, as mentioned by someone else, Disney's engineers will submit plans to the South Florida Water Management District for the purpose of managing ground water. These are not building permits, but more of a zoning/environmental control measure. If the SFWMD doesn't approve the civil/site plans, the project does not move forward. They make sure that if earth is covered by a building or pavement, that same amount of absorption area is offset somewhere else - usually by way of retention ponds or underground water storage (like in Fantasyland).
We never see actual Building Permits, because they're issued by RCID, and they're not posted online. I'm sure someone could go to RCID's offices and file a request, but that would be a huge pain in the butt.
Long story short - Disney is nowhere near exempt from any sort of permitting process.
Spike-in-Berlin
Well-Known Member
In the 1960ies even a nuclear power plant and an airport where planned for Project X - WDW and the planned Progress City (EPCOT). Does any one really believe you can build an airport (not just a local airfield, a real one) or a NPP without following the existing regulations, building laws and safety standards? Of course Disney needs permits for what they plan to build.
Tonka's Skipper
Well-Known Member
One additional reason for the Reedy district was because there were no local regulations, building laws, requirements and safety standards for many of the buildings, parks amenities, monorails, steam trains, roadway designs, people flow, etc. that Disney was planning for WDW.
AKK
AKK
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
As much of a hassle it is to go through the process, reviews, dealing with code officers, thank God we know our safety is # 1. Dealing with our local code officers can be trying at times but it helps cuts down on shoddy workmanship and dangerous outcomes. I'd much rather wait through a longer Disney building project and know I'll eventually enjoy a better built attraction/ park.
At the national level many of the building codes from RCID have been adopted into the national codes, which I think is a pretty big compliment. There are a couple of other reasons for RCID's more rigorous than most building codes, one if more or less image - they don't want anyone to be able to say they are able to "skirt safety because they own the government" and the other more legitimate is that having stringent requirements reduces the cost of borrowing and improves some of the cost of insurance.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
RedDad
Smitty Werben JagerManJensen
If it isn't a proprietary ride system, it has to be designed by a registered engineer or architect, and meet code requirements just like any commercial building/system to be accessed by the general public - for all the reasons mentioned above. Also, insurance companies need someone to sue if something goes wrong, and banks are more willing to lend if they know things are being done right, etc.