City Building Permits

St. Augustine, FL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in St. Augustine, Florida. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Florida St. Johns County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of St. Augustine city limits. The city runs its own building permit, plan review, and inspection program.

Department
City of St. Augustine Planning and Building Department
Address
75 King Street, Lobby B, 4th Floor, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone
(904) 825-1065
Website
https://www.citystaug.com/164/Planning-Building

Online Permit Portal

Open City of St. Augustine Permit Portal

Platform: City of St. Augustine Permit Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside St. Augustine city limits.
  2. Check whether the project triggers local review layers such as Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), archaeology, tree removal, floodplain review, or right-of-way permitting.
  3. Gather the required permit-type documents listed on the city's building permit information page and electronic submission standards.
  4. Create a Permit Portal account and submit the application online.
  5. Monitor status in the portal, answer review comments, and upload revisions as needed.
  6. Pay permit fees through the portal.
  7. Schedule inspections through the portal and obtain final approval.

Typical processing time: Timeline varies by project complexity and local review requirements; the city provides a portal guide and instructional video for registering, applying, and scheduling inspections.

Source: City of St. Augustine Planning and Building Department

General Requirements

Permits are required for most construction projects, including renovations, additions, new construction, pools, fences, windows/doors, docks, driveways/patios, demolitions, and accessory structures.

Required Documents

  • Building permit application
  • Construction plans and drawings
  • Engineering/mechanical/electrical/plumbing sheets
  • ISR worksheet
  • Product approval list
  • Property survey (where required)
  • Truss engineering (where required)
  • Permit-type-specific submittals
Permit validity
Permits become null and void if work is not commenced within 6 months or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement.
Building code
2023 Florida Building Code, 8th Edition; applications and plans are reviewed for compliance with FBC, ADA accessibility standards, and FEMA flooding standards
Owner-builder
Florida owner-builder rules apply; the city portal materials are built around contractor-file matching and city review of project documentation.
Contractor requirements
Permit portal registration guidance states contractors should use the same email listed on the contractor file to avoid errors and delays.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$50
Plan check fee
One-half of permit fee
Permit fee formula
Minimum $50 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction of valuation
Reinspection fee
$50 per inspection
Penalty (no permit)
Double the permit fee for work started without a permit
Payment note
Permit extension $50; transfer to new contractor $50; demolition $100; after-hours inspection $200; temporary certificate of occupancy residential $75, non-residential $150. Public works permit fees, DRC review fees, tree-related charges, and archaeology review fees may apply depending on project type.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 1, 2016 (file posted; confirm with city for any updates)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of St. Augustine Planning and Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Permit Portal (online)
  • buildinginspection@citystaug.com (email)

Typical inspection sequence: The Building Department performs inspections throughout the city and issues a certificate of occupancy after final approval.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of St. Augustine Planning and Building Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Augustine Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in St. Augustine, FL?
Permits are required for most construction projects, including renovations, additions, new construction, pools, fences, windows/doors, docks, driveways/patios, demolitions, and accessory structures.
How much does a building permit cost in St. Augustine, FL?
The minimum permit fee is $50. Fees are calculated as: Minimum $50 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000 or fraction of valuation. Plan check fee: One-half of permit fee.
How do I apply for a building permit in St. Augustine, FL?
1. Confirm the parcel is inside St. Augustine city limits. 2. Check whether the project triggers local review layers such as Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB), archaeology, tree removal, floodplain review, or right-of-way permitting. 3. Gather the required permit-type documents listed on the city's building permit information page and electronic submission standards. 4. Create a Permit Portal account and submit the application online. 5. Monitor status in the portal, answer review comments, and upload revisions as needed. 6. Pay permit fees through the portal. 7. Schedule inspections through the portal and obtain final approval.
How long does it take to get a building permit in St. Augustine, FL?
Typical processing time is Timeline varies by project complexity and local review requirements; the city provides a portal guide and instructional video for registering, applying, and scheduling inspections..
What work is exempt from building permits in St. Augustine, FL?
The following work is generally exempt: Interior painting; Minor repairs; Interior decorating. Note: St. Augustine has extensive local review overlays including historic preservation, archaeology, floodplain, tree regulation, and right-of-way requirements. Applicants should not assume that a state-level permit exemption eliminates all local approvals; verify any claimed exemption with the city.
How do I schedule a building inspection in St. Augustine, FL?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Permit Portal, buildinginspection@citystaug.com.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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