SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County man wanted to build a tree house for his daughter, but now he's in trouble with county because he didn't hire an architect first.
WFTV learned Monday that Raul Jimenez could face fines of $250 per day, all because of a child's tree house.
"There's gonna be a balcony right here," described Jimenez's daughter, Sarah Romero.
Sarah Romero, 9, had big plans for her new home away from home.
"I could have my toys right here," she said.
She's been helping her dad build her dream tree house in their backyard.
"I'm gonna have a walkway that goes around the trees and the tree will have a sitting area in the middle," Jimenez said.
Raul Jimenez just wants the best for his little girl, but Seminole County says the best is too big.
"This is not somebody putting up plywood on a branch with a rope. It's a two story, rather large structure and it's a safety issue," said John Metsopoulos, Seminole County spokesman.
The sticking points are the pillars Raul Jimenez installed onto his deck to support the tree house.
"They're saying if it was attached to the trees it would be better. But no one can tell me how strong these trees are and during the last hurricane we lost eleven trees back here," he said.
The family received a notice at the door of their house. The county ordered them to stop construction on the tree house or face fines of up to $250 per day.
The county considers it a free-standing, permanent structure. That means Raul Jimenez's plans are out and an architect must take over with certified plans. Add the cost of permits, and Sarah's tree house could end up costing up to $2,000.
For now, the fines are on hold. The family received a two week extension from the county while they go back to the drawing board.
Not all tree houses require architects and permits. It depends on the size, and whether it's attached to any permanent structures.
It is advised to call code enforcement in your county, before you start building.
WFTV
