Check City Limits, Use OpenGov, Clear Coastal Reviews and Close a Stuart Building Permit
Stuart has replaced the old Accela workflow with OpenGov. The first decision is whether the property is actually inside City limits; the next is whether the project needs a permit, qualifies for Stuart’s new July 2026 exemption process, or fits the narrow emergency-repair rule.
This guide gives homeowners, contractors and design professionals a practical route for applications, state contractor licensing, Planning and zoning, flood and wind documents, inspections, impact fees, existing permit migration and final closeout.
Choose the Exact Stuart Building Task
Stuart Permit Route Finder
Select the project that most closely matches your situation.
City of Stuart or Martin County: Check the Address First
Address is inside Stuart city limits
Use Stuart OpenGov, the City Building Division and the City Planning & Zoning Department.
Address is in unincorporated Martin County
Use Martin County Building and its Accela portal rather than Stuart OpenGov.
Stuart Building Department Phone, Address and Hours
“I am planning [exact work] at [address and parcel]. Can you confirm City jurisdiction, whether the July 2026 exemption applies, the OpenGov application type, required Planning/Flood/Fire reviews and the inspection sequence?”
Do Not Self-Declare the New Under-$7,500 Exemption
A project may qualify only when all are true
- Single-family residence
- Total labor and materials under $7,500
- Work is non-structural
- Property is outside flood zone/hazard area
- No electrical work
- No plumbing work
- No mechanical work
- No gas work
- Written exemption request submitted
- City approval received before work
These common projects still need permits
- Roofing
- Load-bearing walls
- Elevated decks
- Windows and exterior doors
- Storage sheds
- HVAC or A/C work
- Electrical panels or rewiring
- Plumbing repairs/replacements
- Gas appliances
- Water softener installation
Prepare a written Permit Exemption Request
Describe the exact work, property and responsible owner/contractor.
Attach proof of cost and scope
Include project documentation and a signed contract with an itemized labor-and-material cost breakdown.
Wait for written Building approval
Do not start merely because the project appears inexpensive or non-structural.
Understand the inspection tradeoff
City inspectors do not inspect approved exempt work. The owner and contractor remain responsible for legal and code-compliant construction.
Which Stuart Permit or Review Fits the Project?
Project |
Start with |
Important Stuart check |
|---|---|---|
New single-family home or addition |
Planning + building plan review |
Site plan, survey, grading, flood, wind, utilities, product approvals and impact fees |
Roof, window, door, shed or elevated deck |
Building permit |
Structural work is excluded from the under-$7,500 exemption |
Fence, pool, screen enclosure or accessory building |
Planning + building route |
Planning reviews these projects for site and zoning compliance |
Generator |
Electrical + gas/building package |
Submit related permits together with specs, risers, site/flood information and transfer-switch details |
Interior residential remodel |
Building permit |
Include every electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structural change |
Commercial tenant improvement |
Commercial building + zoning review |
Occupancy, ADA, Fire, utilities and business-tax requirements |
New business or change of use/occupancy |
Planning + Fire + Building |
Verify use before signing lease; vacancy over 180 days can trigger current site requirements |
Dock, seawall, boat lift or waterfront work |
Building + environmental/waterway review |
Confirm property control, shoreline, flood, environmental and outside-agency approvals |
Emergency water heater, A/C or listed electrical repair |
Notify Building Official |
Submit OpenGov permit next business day; contractor must be registered/licensed |
Potential non-structural work under $7,500 |
Exemption request |
No work until written approval; flood and trade work do not qualify |
How to Apply Through Stuart OpenGov
Confirm that Stuart is the permitting authority
Use the official address lookup and parcel information before starting the application.
Decide whether the work needs a permit, exemption approval or emergency route
Structural and trade work normally needs a permit. A 2026 exemption or emergency exception requires its own documented City process.
Create an OpenGov ID
Open the portal, select Building & Permitting, choose Sign Up and create or use an existing OpenGov ID.
Verify the contractor is eligible and registered
Effective July 1, 2025, Stuart no longer accepts a local Certificate of Competency as contractor licensure for covered work. Use a State Registered or State Certified contractor where Florida law requires it.
Select the correct Building & Permitting application
Choose the exact project category and enter the complete scope, valuation, owner, contractor, design professional and site information.
Upload readable, coordinated documents
Plans, surveys, product approvals, calculations, affidavits and outside-agency approvals must match the application scope.
Respond to every reviewer and invoice
Open comments by discipline, upload one coordinated correction set and pay required fees shown in the portal.
Confirm formal issuance before beginning work
Approval comments or paid invoices do not replace an issued permit. Save the approved documents and follow the listed inspection sequence.
Documents to Prepare Before Opening the Permit Record
Property and applicant
- Exact address
- Parcel ID and legal description
- Owner contact information
- Applicant contact information
- Clear scope of work
- Labor-and-material valuation
Contractor and design team
- State contractor license
- OpenGov registration
- Trade subcontractors
- Architect/engineer information
- Signed owner authorization
- Owner-builder affidavit if used
Plans and compliance
- Current survey/site plan
- Existing and proposed plans
- Structural calculations
- Florida Product Approvals
- Energy documents
- Flood/wind information
When Stuart Planning and Zoning Must Review the Project
Common site projects
Planning reviews accessory buildings, additions, fences, pools, screen enclosures, single-family homes, multifamily and commercial structures.
Zoning Determination Letter
Request a written letter when the allowed use, setbacks, height, density, lot size or zoning designation must be documented.
Pre-Application Meeting
Use OpenGov to request coordinated early feedback for complex development before investing in final plans.
Special exception or rezoning
Planning accepts future-land-use amendments, annexations, special exceptions and zoning-change applications.
Variance
Variance applications are considered by the Board of Adjustment. Confirm the filing sequence before preparing a hearing package.
Commercial lease or business opening
Verify zoning before signing a lease. A new business or change in location/ownership may also require Fire inspection and Business Tax steps.
Emergency Repairs That May Start Before Normal Permit Approval
Listed emergency repairs
- Water heater replacement
- Air-conditioning replacement
- Weatherhead repair
- Breaker malfunction repair
This is for an actual emergency, not routine convenience or scheduling.
Required follow-up
- Notify Building Official at 772-600-1249.
- Use a registered, licensed contractor.
- Submit the OpenGov permit on the next business day.
- Complete the permit within the City’s 24–48-hour emergency window.
- Arrange required inspection and closeout.
Understand the Owner-Builder Affidavit Before Signing
The owner becomes the responsible contractor
- Directly supervise the work on site.
- Obtain permits and inspections.
- Hire only properly licensed contractors when a license is required.
- Correct failed or unsafe work.
- Handle tax, employment and workers’ compensation duties when workers are treated as employees.
Use and sale restrictions matter
- The work must be for the owner’s own use or occupancy.
- One- or two-family residences and qualifying farm outbuildings are addressed by the disclosure.
- Commercial owner-builder work has statutory limits.
- Sale or lease within one year can create a presumption that the exemption was misused.
- The owner must sign and notarize the disclosure.
Verify Flood, Parcel and Wind Information Before Final Plans
FEMA flood zone
Check whether the property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The City says an Elevation Certificate may be required for a permit in that area.
Parcel and ownership
Use the Martin County Property Appraiser to confirm the parcel, owner, site address and assessed-property information.
Site-specific wind
Use the ASCE Hazard Tool for design wind information, then have the design professional apply the correct code criteria and product approvals.
Documents Common Stuart Projects Often Need
Project |
Prepare |
Question to answer first |
|---|---|---|
New home or duplex |
Signed/sealed plans, survey, site/grading plan, energy documents, product approvals, utility and flood information |
What Planning, flood, utility and impact-fee reviews must clear before issuance? |
Addition or major remodel |
Existing/proposed plans, structural details, survey, energy, product approvals and complete trade scopes |
Does the addition change setbacks, flood compliance, drainage or occupancy? |
Generator |
Manufacturer data, transfer-switch details, electrical and gas risers, site plan and flood information |
Can electrical and gas permits be submitted together under one coordinated project? |
Roof/windows/doors |
Current Florida Product Approvals, opening/roof layout, fastening and wind-design information |
Does any component require structural engineering or flood review? |
Pool or screen enclosure |
Survey/site plan, barrier/safety details, structural plans, equipment and trade applications |
What setbacks, easements and overhead/underground utility conflicts apply? |
Commercial tenant improvement |
Code summary, use/occupancy, ADA, Fire, existing/proposed plans, energy and trade drawings |
Is this only construction, or also a change of use/occupancy? |
Dock, seawall or boat lift |
Survey, waterfront/site plan, structural details, ownership and outside-agency approvals |
Which environmental, waterway or county/state approvals must be obtained? |
How to Request and Pass a Stuart Inspection
Confirm the permit is issued and active
Required fees, contractor registrations, plans, outside approvals and Notice of Commencement conditions must be complete.
Use the 24-hour automated request line
Call 772-600-1212 and follow the prompts for the permit and inspection requested.
Request the correct construction stage
Follow the approved plans and permit sequence. Do not request final while rough, structural, trade or prerequisite inspections remain open.
Keep the permit, plans and required documents on site
Provide safe access and leave work visible. Product approvals, engineering documents and Notice of Commencement should be available when applicable.
Read the complete result
Correct every listed item. When field work differs from approved plans, obtain a revision rather than repeatedly requesting the same inspection.
Use the after-hours form only when needed
Stuart publishes an After Hours Inspection Request in its Building Division online forms. Confirm availability and fee before relying on it.
Final every trade and obtain the occupancy/completion document
Check building, roofing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, Fire and other related records before final payment or occupancy.
Have ready for inspection
- Permit number
- Approved plans
- Safe access
- Correct stage complete
- Work visible
- Required affidavits
Prevent a failed visit
- Do not cover work early
- Clear prior corrections
- Use correct inspection type
- Coordinate unit/gate access
- Keep contractor contact available
- Confirm all prerequisite trades
How to Confirm the Real Stuart Permit Cost
Building and plan-review fees
- Select the exact OpenGov application.
- Enter the complete labor-and-material valuation.
- Upload plans so staff can identify required disciplines.
- Review the invoice generated under Resolution 86-2025.
- Ask staff about any unclear fee before paying.
Costs outside the base building fee
- Planning or zoning applications
- Fire review and inspection
- Reinspection or after-hours inspection
- Revisions and added scope
- City impact fees
- Martin County impact fees
- Utility or environmental approvals
- Private-provider administration
Use a Private Provider Only After Building Official Approval
Approval comes first
The Building Official must approve the private-provider route before permit submittal.
Plan review and/or inspections
A qualifying Florida code administrator, engineer or architect may perform selected code plan review or required inspections.
Other reviews remain
Private-provider service does not replace zoning, Fire, environmental, FEMA, land-use or other agency review.
What Common OpenGov Statuses Mean
Fix Common Stuart Permit Delays
Problem |
Likely reason |
Best next action |
|---|---|---|
Old instructions mention Accela |
The City migrated to OpenGov |
Use the current Stuart OpenGov portal and ask staff to link active old permits |
Address is not accepted |
Property may be outside City limits or address format differs |
Use the City address lookup and Martin County Property Appraiser |
Contractor cannot be added |
License is not State Registered/Certified or OpenGov registration is incomplete |
Verify DBPR license and complete Stuart contractor registration |
Small project exemption is denied |
Flood, structural, trade or $7,500 limitation is not met |
Submit the normal permit rather than dividing the project |
Plan review keeps returning |
Comments are partly answered or documents conflict |
Use a numbered response letter and one coordinated replacement set |
Emergency repair has no permit record |
Next-business-day OpenGov follow-up was missed |
Contact the Building Official immediately and submit the required record |
Inspection fails repeatedly |
Wrong stage, concealed work or unresolved field changes |
Stop, correct all items and obtain a revision before reinspection when required |
Permit does not appear in the new account |
Legacy active permit has not been linked |
Email permitting@ci.stuart.fl.us with every permit number |
New-development invoice is higher than expected |
City and Martin County impact fees or outside reviews apply |
Request a written breakdown before paying |
Old permit affects sale or occupancy |
Trade final, Fire approval or completion document is missing |
Search all related records and request a closeout checklist |
Find a Stuart Permit, Link an Old Record and Prove Closeout
Link active legacy permits to the new account
Email permitting@ci.stuart.fl.us with the permit numbers and the email used for the OpenGov ID.
Review the complete permit family
Check the master permit plus roofing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, Fire and other linked records.
Use JustFOIA for missing historic City records
Request older plans, correspondence or files that are not available in the portal.
Save final proof
Keep final inspection results, Certificate of Completion/Occupancy, approved plans and any exemption approval with property records.
“Please provide or link the permit application, approved plans, revisions, inspection history and final/occupancy record for [address/parcel], permit [number], involving [project]. My OpenGov email is [email].”
Do Not Consider the Stuart Project Complete Until These Items Are Confirmed
- City or County jurisdiction confirmed
- Permit or exemption route approved
- State contractor license verified
- Contractor registered in OpenGov
- Planning/zoning reviews cleared
- Flood and wind documents complete
- City and County impact fees checked
- Permit formally issued
- Notice of Commencement handled when required
- Approved documents available on site
- Every required inspection passed
- All field changes revised
- Every trade permit finaled
- Fire approval completed when applicable
- CO/CC obtained when required
- OpenGov record shows final/closed
City of Stuart Building Division Map
Stuart Permit Portal, Forms, Maps and Compliance Resources
City of Stuart Building Permit FAQs
Where do I apply for a City of Stuart building permit?
Use the City’s OpenGov portal. Select Building & Permitting, create or log in with an OpenGov ID, choose the correct application and upload the required project documents. The old Accela workflow is no longer the current City application route.
How do I know whether an address is inside Stuart city limits?
Use the City’s official address-lookup map and confirm the parcel. A Stuart mailing address may be in unincorporated Martin County, which uses the County Building Department and County Accela system.
What is the Stuart Building Division phone number?
Call 772-288-5326 for permit and plan-review help. The 24-hour automated building-inspection request line is 772-600-1212. Emergency permit questions go to the Building Official at 772-600-1249.
Can a project under $7,500 be completed without a permit?
Only a limited non-structural single-family project may qualify under the July 1, 2026 exemption. Flood-zone property and electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas or structural work do not qualify. Submit a written request, work documents and an itemized signed contract, then wait for City approval.
Which Stuart projects still require permits even when inexpensive?
Examples listed by the City include roofing, load-bearing walls, elevated decks, windows, doors, storage sheds, HVAC, electrical panels or upgrades, plumbing repairs or replacement, gas appliances and water-softener installations.
What work can proceed under Stuart’s emergency permit rule?
During an actual emergency, listed water-heater replacements, A/C replacements and electrical repairs involving a weatherhead or breaker malfunction may proceed after notifying the Building Official. A registered licensed contractor must submit the OpenGov permit on the next business day.
How do I schedule a Stuart building inspection?
Call the City’s 24-hour automated inspection request line at 772-600-1212. Have the issued permit information and correct inspection stage ready. Contact Building at 772-288-5326 when the inspection type or permit status is unclear.
What contractor license does Stuart accept?
Effective July 1, 2025, Stuart no longer accepts local Certificates of Competency as contractor licensure for work covered by Florida contractor-licensing law. Contractors must use the appropriate State Registered or State Certified license and register in OpenGov.
How do I link an old active permit to OpenGov?
Create the new OpenGov account, then email permitting@ci.stuart.fl.us with the active permit numbers and the email used for the account. Staff can link the existing permits to the new profile.
How do I know a Stuart permit is fully closed?
Confirm the master permit and every related roofing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, Fire or specialty permit has an approved final inspection. Save the final OpenGov record and the required Certificate of Completion or Occupancy.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent informational guide and is not the City of Stuart.
This page was rebuilt from the City’s Building Division, OpenGov application instructions, July 2026 permit-exemption rules, emergency-permitting page, Planning & Zoning Department, Building Forms, private-provider guidance, impact-fee page, flood/wind links, contractor-license update and public-records system.
Last reviewed: July 21, 2026.
Permit categories, fees, staffing, forms and portal functions can change. Confirm time-sensitive details in OpenGov or with the City before paying, beginning work, using an exemption or relying on emergency-permit treatment.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
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Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.