Building Permit Guide: St. Johns County, Florida

St. Johns County is one of Florida's fastest-growing counties — and with that growth comes a steady surge in residential construction, renovations, and home improvements. Whether you're building a new home in the SilverLeaf community, adding a pool at your Ponte Vedra property, replacing a roof in St. Augustine Shores, or remodeling a kitchen in Nocatee, Florida law requires a building permit for virtually all significant construction work. The St. Johns County Building Department administers the permit process for unincorporated areas of the county, and navigating it correctly can save you significant time, money, and legal exposure. For a statewide look at how permit costs compare across project types, see our complete Florida building permit cost breakdown.

Who Issues Building Permits in St. Johns County?

The answer depends on where your property is located — a critical distinction that homeowners frequently overlook.

The St. Johns County Building Department issues building permits for all properties in unincorporated St. Johns County. This covers the vast majority of the county, including St. Augustine Shores, Fruit Cove, Ponte Vedra (outside city limits), Nocatee, SilverLeaf, TrailMark, and most of the county's booming residential communities. The Building Department is located at 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084, and can be reached at 904-827-6800.

However, if your property falls within the City of St. Augustine, you will need a permit from the City of St. Augustine's Building Department — not the county. The city operates its own permitting system and inspections process independently of the county. Not sure which jurisdiction covers your property? Check the St. Johns County Property Appraiser's website and look at your parcel's municipality designation before submitting any permit application.

How Do You Apply for a Building Permit in St. Johns County?

St. Johns County uses the Accela Citizen Access portal for online permit applications. This platform allows contractors and homeowners to submit permit applications, upload plans and supporting documents, pay fees online, check permit status, and schedule inspections — all without visiting the county offices in person.

Online permits are available for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and irrigation work. More complex projects — such as new construction, room additions, pool installations, or projects requiring structural engineering — go through a full plan review and may involve correspondence with the county's plan reviewers before a permit is issued.

To schedule a building inspection in St. Johns County, call the inspection line at 904-827-6842. Inspections can also be requested through the Accela portal for projects with an active permit. Contractors must be licensed and registered with St. Johns County before pulling a permit or performing any construction activity on county property.

For a detailed look at what to expect during the inspection phase once your permit is issued, see our Florida building permit inspection guide.

What Projects Require a Building Permit in St. Johns County?

St. Johns County enforces the Florida Building Code, which requires a permit for any work involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. The most common residential projects that require a permit include:

• Roof replacement: All re-roofing projects require a building permit and inspections in St. Johns County, regardless of roofing material.
• Pool installation: In-ground and above-ground pools require a pool permit along with barrier and fence permits to comply with Florida's pool safety laws.
• Room additions and new construction: Any expansion of your home's footprint requires a room addition permit with engineered plans and multiple inspections.
• Detached accessory structures: Sheds, garages, and carports above minimum size thresholds require a shed or accessory structure permit.
• Decks and screen enclosures: Attached decks and screen enclosures require structural documentation and wind-load compliance.
• HVAC replacement: Replacing your air conditioning system or adding new equipment requires a mechanical permit.
• Electrical panel upgrades and new circuits: Electrical permits are required for service panel upgrades, generator hookups, and new circuit installations.
• Plumbing work: Water heater replacements, repiping, and other plumbing system work require a plumbing permit.
• Fence installations: Many fence projects in St. Johns County require a fence permit, particularly for taller fences or those in specific zoning districts.
• Window and door replacements: Florida requires permits for most window and door replacements to verify compliance with hurricane impact standards.
• Solar panel systems: Installing a solar energy system requires both a building permit and an electrical permit.

Florida's HB 803 (effective July 1, 2024) created a limited exemption for single-family home repairs or replacements under $7,500 that are purely cosmetic — no structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work involved. This exemption does not apply to properties in FEMA-designated special flood hazard areas. For a full explanation of what qualifies, see our HB 803 permit exemption guide.

How Much Does a Building Permit Cost in St. Johns County?

St. Johns County permit fees are calculated based on the declared construction value of your project, combined with a county fee schedule, plan review fees, and Florida's mandatory state surcharges. As of 2026, St. Johns County has a 30% reduction in general building permit fees in effect — making it one of the more cost-competitive counties in Northeast Florida for residential construction.

Contact the Building Department at 904-827-6800 or use the Accela portal to obtain a fee estimate before budgeting your project. Projects with a total construction cost of $5,000 or more also require a Notice of Commencement to be recorded with the Clerk of Courts before work begins and posted at the job site. For a full explanation of this requirement, see our Notice of Commencement guide.

Note that St. Johns County is adjacent to Duval County (Jacksonville), and many property owners near the county line may need to confirm which jurisdiction — and which fee schedule — applies to their parcel.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit in St. Johns County?

Permit timelines in St. Johns County depend on the project type and the completeness of your application:

• Over-the-counter permits (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and simple trade work): Often approved within 1–3 business days through the Accela portal.
• Straightforward structural permits (re-roofs, small sheds, fence installations): Typically 5–10 business days once a complete application is submitted.
• Plan-reviewed projects (new construction, room additions, pools, screen enclosures with engineering): Generally 2–6 weeks, depending on reviewer workload and the completeness of submitted plans.

The most common cause of delays is an incomplete initial submission — missing product approval numbers, unsigned drawings, or a site plan that doesn't clearly show property line setbacks. Submitting a thorough, complete application from the start is the most effective way to avoid a revision cycle that adds weeks to your timeline.

Also be aware that permits in St. Johns County expire if work does not begin within six months of the issue date, or if work is suspended or abandoned for six months after starting. Plan your construction schedule accordingly to avoid needing a permit extension.

What Happens If You Build Without a Permit in St. Johns County?

Building without a required permit in St. Johns County carries serious consequences. Code enforcement officers can issue stop-work orders, require removal of unpermitted work, and assess fines that accumulate daily until the violation is resolved. Florida law allows building departments to charge double the standard permit fee for after-the-fact permits — meaning skipping the permit upfront almost always costs more in the long run.

Unpermitted construction also creates major problems when you sell. Buyers' lenders require inspections and title reviews that frequently uncover unpermitted work, and title companies will flag open or missing permits in the public record. For a full breakdown of the risks, read our guide on what happens when you build without a permit in Florida. If you're buying a home in St. Johns County and want to check for existing permit issues before closing, our open permit lookup guide walks you through the process.

Can a Homeowner Pull Their Own Permit in St. Johns County?

Yes. Florida law allows homeowners to act as their own contractor through an owner-builder permit for their primary residence. You must personally appear to sign the permit application, acknowledge your responsibilities for code compliance, worker's compensation, and inspections, and provide direct on-site supervision of all work.

Keep in mind that Florida Statute 489.103 places strict limits on the owner-builder exemption: you cannot use it to build a structure intended for sale or lease, and you cannot hire unlicensed subcontractors to perform work on the project. For most projects involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems, hiring a licensed contractor who pulls the permit is the safer choice. For a full explanation of your rights and responsibilities, see our Florida owner-builder permit guide.

Skip the headache — tell us about your project and we'll match you with a licensed permit pro in St. Johns County.