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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for St. Lucie County
The county's Building & Code Regulation Division handles building permits, plan review, and inspections for unincorporated St. Lucie County.
- Exempt Minor repairs after a disaster with repair value under $2,500 that do not affect structural integrity, means of egress, or fire resistance (examples: temporary roof tarping, window glazing repairs, debris removal, fence panel reattachment without posts)
Note: Permit exemption does not eliminate the need to use properly licensed contractors when required. More information on exempt work is in section 105.2 of the county's building code administrative amendments.
- Building permit application
- Supporting attachments
- Notice of Commencement (when required)
- Owner-builder affidavit (when applicable)
- Private provider forms (when applicable)
- Reroof forms (when applicable)
- Project-specific certifications (wind-load, elevation certificate, etc.)
- Building code
- Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) — mandatory statewide as of January 1, 2024.
- Permit validity
- Applications that do not progress with active good faith effort may be considered abandoned. The building official may extend timelines for justifiable delay.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder permits may have special requirements. Contact the county directly for owner-builder rules.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid licenses and meet applicable bonding and insurance requirements.
Source: St. Lucie County Planning & Development Services, Building & Code Regulation Division ↗
Application process
Typical processing: Varies by permit type and complexity. Plans examiners generally available 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; inspectors generally available 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated St. Lucie County and not inside Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, or St. Lucie Village.
- 02 Review the county's permit application page and collect required supporting documents.
- 03 Create or use a Tyler EnerGov Citizen Self Service account and submit the permit application online.
- 04 Upload plans, affidavits, Notice of Commencement if required, owner-builder forms if applicable, and project-specific attachments.
- 05 Respond to plan review comments and pay applicable review and permit fees.
- 06 Obtain permit issuance before starting work.
- 07 Schedule inspections online through the county platform and obtain final approval before closeout.
Typical processing time: Varies by permit type and complexity. Plans examiners generally available 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; inspectors generally available 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Source: St. Lucie County Planning & Development Services, Building & Code Regulation Division ↗
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Tyler EnerGov Citizen Self Service platform (online)
- 772-462-1553 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Source: St. Lucie County Planning & Development Services, Building & Code Regulation Division ↗
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated St. Lucie County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Lucie County, FL? ▸
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Lucie County, FL? ▸
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated St. Lucie County, FL? ▸
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Lucie County, FL? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Lucie County, FL? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with St. Lucie County Planning & Development Services, Building & Code Regulation Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.