713.18  Manner of serving notices and other instruments.--

(1)  Service of notices, claims of lien, affidavits, assignments, and other instruments permitted or required under this part, or copies thereof when so permitted or required, unless otherwise specifically provided in this part, must be made by one of the following methods:

(a)  By actual delivery to the person to be served; or, if a partnership, to one of the partners; or, if a corporation, to an officer, director, managing agent, or business agent thereof.

(b)  By mailing the same, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail to the person to be served at her or his last known address and evidence of delivery. If an instrument served by this method to the last address shown in the notice of commencement or any amendment thereto or, in the absence of a notice of commencement, to the last address shown in the building permit application is not received, but is returned by the United States Postal Service as being "refused," "moved, not forwardable," or "unclaimed," or is otherwise not delivered or deliverable through no fault of the person serving the item, then service is effective as of the date of mailing.

(c)  If neither of the foregoing methods can be accomplished, by posting on the premises.

(2)  If the real property is owned by more than one person, a lienor may serve any notices or other papers under this part on any one of such owners, and such notice is deemed notice to all owners.

(3)  Service of notices or copies thereof, permitted or required under this part, may be made by facsimile transmission when the person being served has listed that person's facsimile phone number in the Notice of Commencement. The owner must be served with the Notice to Owner in the manner specified in subsection (2) of this section. The lienor's facsimile confirmation sheet with the correct facsimile phone number shall be proof of the date and time the notice was served.

History.--s. 1, ch. 63-135; s. 11, ch. 65-456; s. 35, ch. 67-254; s. 10, ch. 87-405; s. 11, ch. 90-109; s. 7, ch. 96-383; s. 1768, ch. 97-102.