Fort Pierce, FL Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Fort Pierce runs its own city building permit, review, and inspection program for property inside city limits.

Department

City of Fort Pierce Building Department

Address

300 Orange Avenue, 3rd Floor, Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Phone

772-467-3718

Email

ftpbuilding@cityoffortpierce.com

Website

https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/131/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Fort Pierce city limits.
2. Use the city's Building Permit Submittal Checklists page to select the right checklist and determine whether DPCR approval is required.
3. Submit the permit application online through EPL Civic Access for current permits.
4. Upload the required plans, forms, and supporting documents listed by the applicable permit checklist.
5. Pay DPCR routing fees and plan review fees at submittal, then pay permit issuance fees before the permit is released.
6. Obtain the permit before starting work.
7. Schedule inspections through the EPL system for new permits.

Typical processing time: Varies by permit type. EPL Civic Access handles all new online submittals beginning July 15, 2024.

Source: City of Fort Pierce Building Department

General Requirements

The Building Department receives building permit applications for projects ranging from office buildings to homes to fences and reviews them for compliance with the Florida Building Code, contractor licensing rules, floodplain management, and city ordinances.

Required Documents

• Notarized building permit application
• Notice of Commencement (when required)
• Contractor licensing and insurance materials
• Debris forms
• Homeowner affidavit (if owner-builder)
• Permit-type-specific checklist documents

Permit validity

Applications not actively pursued may be considered abandoned. Contact the Building Department for extension requests.

Building code

FBC (2023) 8th Edition. City adopted local administrative amendments for Chapter 1 of the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code by Ordinance 24-001.

Owner-builder

Homeowner affidavits required when work is being completed by a homeowner. Owner-builder must personally appear and sign the permit application.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold valid licenses and meet applicable bonding and insurance requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100

Permit fee formula

Residential: valuation × 0.005, minimum $100. Commercial: valuation × 0.0125, minimum $100. Commercial sitework: valuation × 0.005, minimum $200.

Penalty (no permit)

Double the normal fee for building without a permit; additional $100 if stop-work order was issued.

Payment note

DPCR routing fees and plan review fees due at submittal. Permit fees and other applicable charges due at permit issuance. Private provider inspection services: permit fee reduction of 10% or $25, whichever is greater. Private provider plan review services: 30% reduction of the plan review fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 8, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Fort Pierce Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• EPL Civic Access for current permits (online)
• 772-467-3718 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Additional Resources

• Building code: FBC (2023) 8th Edition. City adopted local administrative amendments for Chapter 1 of the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code by Ordinance 24-001.
• Local Chapter 1 Amendments
• License lookup guide: Florida Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Florida Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Florida hub: Florida Contractor License & Permit Hub

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