COMMERCIAL GA RADAR
BBIA's weekly watch on local government items that affect commercial building across the seven counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington.
For commercial builders, contractors and developers: what is happening, why it matters and when to show up. A Government Affairs watch list from Bay Building Industries Association.
All times are Central. Summaries are based on official agendas, packets and notices posted at the time of each weekly check. Meeting times and agendas can change, so always confirm with the official link.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 23, 2026
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Tuesday, Oct 27 is a heavy day. Panama City holds final hearings on industrial and mixed-use land use items and considers more than $8.5 million in road, water and sewer contracts, and Lynn Haven takes up a reduction in its CRA funding share. In unincorporated Bay County, new nonresidential impact fees and higher utility plan-review fees take effect Jan 1, 2027, the day after the new Florida Building Code edition takes effect.
THE ITEMS
PANAMA CITY COMMISSION
BAY COUNTYWHAT'S HAPPENING
- Final hearing on Ord. 3315, which adds recycling centers as an allowed use in the Light Industrial district, except on properties within 1,000 feet of St. Andrews Bay and its tributaries.
- A Gateway Overlay special exception for a recycling center at 1023 E 15th St (staff recommends approval).
- Final hearings on a Mixed Use land use change and MU-2 rezoning at 803 Oak Ave (Planning Board and staff recommend denial).
- Proposed contract awards: SRF Area P-11 water and sewer, $6,173,449.43 (Mainline Construction), and West Beach Dr roadway improvements, $2,344,112 (Extreme Land Restoration).
- A revised, phased scope to re-bid the Downtown Marina wet slips.
WHENTue Oct 27, 4:30 PM CT, City Hall, 840 W 11th St
LYNN HAVEN CITY COMMISSION
BAY COUNTYWHAT'S HAPPENING
- First reading of Ord. 1197, which lowers the city contribution to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) trust fund from 95% to 75% of tax increment, reflecting the FY2027 budget.
- A $130,820 Panhandle Engineering task order to design replacement of asbestos and cast-iron water mains.
WHENTue Oct 27, 5:30 PM CT, City Hall, 825 Ohio Ave
Official link: Agenda packet
BAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BAY COUNTYWHAT'S HAPPENING
- The Chapter 13 impact fee ordinance and the FY2027 Fees and Fines Schedule, both adopted Sep 15, take effect Jan 1, 2027 in unincorporated Bay County.
- Nonresidential uses will pay fire rescue, EMS, law enforcement, corrections and solid waste impact fees. Examples per 1,000 sq ft: office $587, retail (40,000 sq ft or less) $1,938, fast food with drive-thru $7,911, light industrial $295, warehousing $128. Hotel: $1,287 per room.
- County water and wastewater plan-review fees also rise. For small developments, for example, water goes from $525 to $2,150 and wastewater from $525 to $2,825.
WHENNext County Commission meeting: Tue Nov 3, 9:00 AM CT (agenda not yet posted)
Official link: FY2027 Fees and Fines Schedule | Meeting calendar
MEXICO BEACH CITY COUNCIL
BAY COUNTYWHAT'S HAPPENING
- Second reading of Ord. 903, raising water rates 8.7% and sewer rates 14%. Commercial water base charges run from $66.00 (1-inch meter) to $237.67 (4-inch meter).
- Land Development Code rewrite workshops follow on Oct 29, Oct 30 and Nov 5, each at 9:00 AM CT.
WHENTue Oct 27, 9:00 AM CT
Official link: Agenda | Council meetings
GULF COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GULF COUNTYWHAT'S HAPPENING
Second and final reading of an ordinance updating the Five-Year Capital Improvement Schedule, including the school district work plan and concurrency tracking data.
WHENTue Oct 27, 8:00 AM CT (the regular 9:00 AM ET meeting time; the notice lists the date only)
Official link: Public notices
FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION
STATEWIDEWHAT'S HAPPENING
The Florida Building Code, 9th Edition (2026), takes effect Dec 31, 2026.
WHENEffective Thu Dec 31, 2026
Official link: Rule notice | floridabuilding.org
KEY DATES
All times Central.
| WHEN (CT) | WHO | WHAT |
|---|---|---|
| Tue Oct 27, 8:00 AM | Gulf County Commission | Five-Year Capital Improvement Schedule ordinance, final reading (notice lists the date only) |
| Tue Oct 27, 9:00 AM | Mexico Beach City Council | Ord. 903 water and sewer rates, second reading |
| Tue Oct 27, 4:30 PM | Panama City Commission | Ord. 3315 recycling centers in Light Industrial; 1023 E 15th St special exception; 803 Oak Ave; more than $8.5 million in water, sewer and road contracts; marina wet slips re-bid |
| Tue Oct 27, 5:30 PM | Lynn Haven City Commission | Ord. 1197 CRA trust fund share, first reading; water main design task order |
| Thu Oct 29, Fri Oct 30 and Thu Nov 5, 9:00 AM | Mexico Beach LDC workshops | Land Development Code rewrite |
| Tue Nov 3, 9:00 AM | Bay County Commission | Agenda not yet posted |
| Thu Dec 31, 2026 | Florida Building Code | 9th Edition (2026) takes effect |
| Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Bay County (unincorporated) | Chapter 13 impact fees and FY2027 Fees and Fines Schedule take effect |
Information current as of Fri Oct 23, 2026, from official agendas, packets and notices. Meeting times and agendas can change, so check the official link before attending.
ARCHIVE
OCTOBER 2026
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Bay Building Industries Association | Panama City, Florida | BayBIA.org