County building permit guide
St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits building permits — complete guide (2026)
St. Johns County is Florida’s fastest-growing county and home to Nocatee — the #1 top-selling master-planned community in the US. The county’s Building Services department is one of the most active in the state for new residential construction.
Fastest Growing
Nocatee
Atlantic Coast
Historic St. Augustine
$175–$950Avg permit cost
3–8 weeksProcessing time
~70,000/yrPermits/year
YesADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits permit?
City of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach have their own building departments. Most of the county — including Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and Palm Valley — is unincorporated.
Apply at St. Johns County Building Services ↗
St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits Building Department
Yes
St. Johns County Building Services
(904) 827-6800
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
SJC Online Portal
St. Johns County coastal areas are in the Wind-Borne Debris Region. Atlantic beach communities are in FEMA flood zones. Historic St. Augustine has additional review requirements through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
Permit fees — St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Re-Roof | $175–$500 | 5–15 days | Coastal areas: impact products required; wind mitigation post-completion |
| HVAC Replacement | $100–$225 | 3–7 days | Mechanical permit; FL-licensed contractor required |
| New Home Construction | $2,000–$6,000 | 8–14 weeks | Highest new home volume in FL; plan review queues can be extended |
| Room Addition | $600–$2,000 | 4–8 weeks | Plans and energy compliance; coastal areas need opening protection docs |
| Swimming Pool | $450–$1,200 | 5–10 weeks | Barrier fence required; high pool volume due to Nocatee and Ponte Vedra |
| ADU | $600–$2,500 | 5–10 weeks | County allows ADUs; Nocatee HOA has additional design requirements |
| Solar Panels | $175–$400 | 5–10 days | High solar adoption in new construction; SolarAPP+ may be available |
| Fence | $75–$175 | 3–7 days | HOA requirements are extensive throughout Nocatee and Ponte Vedra communities |
How to get a permit in St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits
1
Check if you're in St. Augustine city limits
The City of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach have separate building departments. All of Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Palm Valley is unincorporated county. Check the SJC Property Appraiser site.
2
Get HOA approval first (if applicable)
Nocatee and most Ponte Vedra communities have strict HOA/ARB requirements. Get ARB approval before submitting your county permit application.
3
Apply online
St. Johns Countyu2019s online portal handles most permit types. Simple permits can be fully processed online.
4
Prepare thorough documentation
SJC plan review is thorough due to high volume. Ensure all plans are signed and sealed, all product approvals are documented.
5
Pay fees and track review
New construction plan review routinely takes 8–14 weeks during peak seasons.
6
Schedule inspections and close permit
High permit volume means advance scheduling is recommended. All trades must pass final inspections before the permit closes.
Jurisdictions within St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits
Special zone requirements
Wind-Borne Debris Region
Coastal communities
Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine Beach are in the WBDR. Impact-rated openings required for permitted work.
FEMA Flood Zones
Atlantic coast and Intracoastal Waterway
Significant AE and VE flood zone coverage along the Atlantic coast and Intracoastal.
Historic District
City of St. Augustine
SHPO review required for exterior changes to contributing structures in historic districts.
Frequently asked questions — St. Johns County, Florida — Building Permits
Why does St. Johns County have such long permit times?
St. Johns County is consistently one of the top 5 fastest-growing counties in the US by percentage growth and #1 in Florida for new residential construction volume. Budget 8–14 weeks for new home permits.
What is Nocatee and how does permitting work there?
Nocatee is the #1 top-selling master-planned community in the US, in unincorporated St. Johns County. All permits go through St. Johns County Building Services. The Nocatee HOA requires ARB approval before any county permit submission.
Does St. Johns County require impact windows?
In coastal areas (Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine Beach), yes — these are in the Wind-Borne Debris Region. Inland areas including most of Nocatee and World Golf Village are generally outside the WBDR.
What is special about permitting in historic St. Augustine?
The City of St. Augustine has extensive historic district designations. Exterior changes require SHPO review and approval in addition to the standard city building permit.
Can I get an ADU in St. Johns County?
Yes. St. Johns County allows ADUs in residential zones consistent with Florida state law. In HOA communities like Nocatee, HOA approval is also required.
US Census Bureau BPS · St. Johns County Building Services · Florida Building Code (7th Ed.)