Apply, Track and Close a St. Johns County Building Permit With the Right Local Steps
Start with the exact job you need to complete. Apply for a permit, check review comments, schedule an inspection, obtain a clearance sheet, verify a contractor, calculate fees or request old plans.
This guide explains the county process in plain language while preserving the details that matter to owners, contractors and design professionals: clearance-sheet validity, plan sufficiency, wind and flood information, Notice of Commencement rules, inspection cutoffs, owner-builder limits and final closeout.
What Do You Need From the St. Johns County Building Department?
St. Johns County Next-Step Finder
Select your situation to see the most useful official route and what to prepare first.
St. Johns County Building Department Phone Numbers, Address and Hours
Confirm the County Has Jurisdiction Before Filing
Use the county process when
- The project is in unincorporated St. Johns County.
- The county permit search recognizes the parcel or address.
- County staff confirms Building Department jurisdiction.
Verify first when
- The property is inside St. Augustine or St. Augustine Beach.
- The mailing city does not match the government jurisdiction.
- The parcel is close to a municipal boundary.
- The county tools return no parcel or permit result.
Understand the St. Johns County Clearance Sheet
What it tells you
- 911 address
- Flood information
- Zoning setbacks
- Minimum floor elevation
- Traffic and comprehensive-plan information
Where to start
Single-family, duplex, commercial interior work, pools, barns and approved-PUD model homes are directed to the Permit Center front counter at 4040 Lewis Speedway.
Commercial DRC projects
Projects requiring Development Review Committee approval receive the clearance sheet through Development Review after DRC approval.
Which St. Johns County Permit Fits the Project?
Project |
Likely starting route |
Extra item to check |
|---|---|---|
New house, addition or structural alteration |
Building permit |
Clearance sheet, plans, energy forms, trusses, utilities, flood and trade permits |
Interior remodel |
Building permit |
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas, occupancy and fire separation |
Electrical service, panel, wiring or fixtures |
Electrical permit |
Building permit when structure, walls or use change |
Plumbing, drains, fixtures or water heater |
Plumbing permit |
Well, septic, utility, gas or building work |
HVAC replacement or ductwork |
Mechanical permit |
Electrical, energy and equipment information |
Gas piping or gas appliance |
Gas permit |
Mechanical, fire and venting requirements |
Irrigation system |
Irrigation permit |
Backflow protection and water-provider requirements |
Pool or spa |
Pool permit |
Clearance sheet, barrier, electrical, plumbing and Health rules |
Demolition |
Demolition application |
Utilities, environmental, coastal and site-restoration requirements |
Change of use, commercial construction or major site work |
Development pre-review |
DRC, fire, accessibility, transportation, utilities and impact fees |
Apply in Seven Clear Steps
Confirm jurisdiction and parcel information
Verify the county handles the property and save the tax parcel number, legal description and job address.
Obtain the correct clearance sheet
Use the clearance-sheet process to establish address, flood data, setbacks, minimum floor elevation and other parcel conditions.
Choose the correct permit and separate trade permits
The building application warns that separate permits may be required for electrical, plumbing, signs, wells, pools, furnaces, boilers, heaters, tanks and air conditioners.
Prepare the application and supporting plans
Complete owner, contractor, job, valuation, use, square footage, flood, utility, septic, well, termite and private-provider fields that apply.
Use the correct online or counter route
St. Johns County e-services support permit status, plan logs, accounts, inspections and online trade permits. Larger building packages may require clearance-sheet and plan-center steps.
Answer review comments without creating conflicting plans
Open the Plan Review Log, answer every comment and clearly identify each changed sheet or document.
Pay, post documents and complete inspections
Pay the final county invoice, keep the permit card and approved construction documents on site, record and post the Notice of Commencement when required, and schedule each inspection before work is covered.
What a Complete Residential Plan Package May Need
Core permit package
- Approved clearance sheet and site plan
- Building permit application
- Two building-plan sets
- Ownership verification
- Contractor license, workers’ comp and liability
- Impact-fee acknowledgement
Technical documents
- Energy forms and signature page
- Manual J and Manual D
- Truss engineering
- Signed product-approval form
- Termite company and treatment method
- Private-provider documents if used
Site and utility approvals
- Water/sewer availability or paid receipt
- Septic permit and approved plans
- Well permit
- DEP permit when applicable
- Flood or V-Zone documents
- Recorded NOC before first inspection
Do Not Finalize Plans Until These Site Conditions Are Confirmed
Wind design
County guidance says permits after December 31, 2023 use wind design loads from ASCE 7-2022. Confirm the project location, exposure and product approvals.
Flood elevation
The clearance sheet includes flood information and minimum floor elevation. V-Zone projects may require the county design and performance certificate.
Coastal work
Emergency temporary coastal armoring and other shoreline projects have separate forms and may require state or federal authorization.
Resolve the County’s NOC Threshold Before the First Inspection
What the county consistently requires
- Record the NOC in the county records.
- Post it at the job site.
- Provide it to Building Services before the first inspection when required.
- Make owner, contractor, property and lender information accurate.
Why you should confirm the threshold
Current county pages show different project-value thresholds: the Building Permits page says projects exceeding $5,000, while the Inspection Guidelines page says greater than $2,500.
Safest action: Call 904-827-6800 before the first inspection and follow the permit-specific requirement.
Schedule, Cancel and Prepare for St. Johns County Inspections
Before scheduling
- NOC resolved
- Permit card posted
- Approved plans on site
- Permit holds cleared
- Correct request number selected
- Work ready and uncovered
Before reinspection
- Read every correction
- Complete all repairs
- Keep correction list on site
- Contact inspector with questions
- Do not repeat an uncorrected request
- Confirm safe access
Early Power Is Not Permission to Occupy the Building
Project |
County prerequisite |
Important limit |
|---|---|---|
Commercial |
Approved Energize Building Inspection, including meter-base connections |
Early power does not replace final inspections or the Certificate of Occupancy |
Residential |
Approved Insulation Inspection and approved Meter Can Inspection |
Permanent use or occupancy before a formal C/O is prohibited |
All early-power requests |
Safe devices, completed panel, grounding and electrical check |
Unpaid permit, impact or solid-waste fees can block release |
Useful Fee Numbers and a Worked Building-Permit Example
FY26 valuation formula
- $1,001–$50,000: minimum $19 or $11 for first $1,000 plus $2.63 per additional $1,000.
- $50,001–$100,000: $140 for first $50,000 plus $2.10 per additional $1,000.
- $100,001–$500,000: $246 for first $100,000 plus $1.58 per additional $1,000.
- $500,001 and up: $879 for first $500,000 plus $1.05 per additional $1,000.
Example: $75,000 valuation
$140 for the first $50,000, plus 25 × $2.10 for the next $25,000.
Base building permit calculation: $192.50
Plan review at one-half would be $96.25 before issuance, surcharges, impact fees, trade permits, fee reductions or other charges.
2026 Phase 1 Residential Impact Fees
Dwelling size |
Published total |
Effective date |
|---|---|---|
Under 800 sq. ft. |
$6,907 |
March 4, 2026 |
801–1,250 sq. ft. |
$13,115 |
March 4, 2026 |
1,251–1,800 sq. ft. |
$17,811 |
March 4, 2026 |
1,801–2,500 sq. ft. |
$22,490 |
March 4, 2026 |
2,501–3,750 sq. ft. |
$27,514 |
March 4, 2026 |
3,750–5,000 sq. ft. |
$30,883 |
March 4, 2026 |
5,001 sq. ft. and over |
$32,441 |
March 4, 2026 |
Know the St. Johns County Owner-Builder Restrictions Before Signing
County affidavit rule |
What it means |
|---|---|
Personal appearance |
The owner must personally appear and sign the affidavit in the Building Services Division. |
Allowed project |
The form covers qualifying one- or two-family residences, farm outbuildings and commercial work not exceeding $75,000. |
Own use or occupancy |
The building may not be built or improved for sale or lease under the exemption. |
One-year presumption |
Sale or lease within one year can create a presumption that the exemption was violated. |
Direct supervision |
The owner-builder must provide direct, onsite supervision. |
Workers and liability |
The owner may face tax, workers’ compensation, insurance and injury liability. |
Prevent the Permit From Becoming Null and Void
Start within six months
The current building-permit application says a permit becomes null and void when authorized work does not begin within six months.
Do not abandon work for six months
The application also says a permit becomes null and void when work is suspended or abandoned for six months after construction begins.
Find a Permit First, Then Request Missing Documents
Search the permit database
Search by permit number, project address, project name, parcel number or other available fields.
Open inspection and certificate details
Check inspection history, holds, releases, issued permits and Certificate of Occupancy status.
Check the plan-review log
Use the Plan Log to find review comments and the status of application submittals.
Request job copies when online records are incomplete
Ask for Building Permit Plans and Permit Package job copies. Provide project name, address and parcel number.
What the Permit Status Means
Fix Common St. Johns County Permit Problems
Problem |
Likely reason |
Best next action |
|---|---|---|
Address not found |
Parcel, jurisdiction or address-format mismatch |
Confirm parcel and municipality before filing another application. |
Plan review is not moving |
Pending sufficiency item or reviewer comment |
Open the Plan Log and compare the package with the sufficiency checklist. |
Inspection cannot be scheduled |
NOC, permit hold, wrong request number or permit not issued |
Check permit status and resolve every hold before calling 904-827-6842. |
Late inspection cancellation |
Cancellation submitted after 7 AM |
Contact the assigned inspector directly to avoid a service fee. |
Repeated reinspection fee |
Corrections remain incomplete or the correction list is missing |
Complete every item and keep the list on site before rescheduling. |
Cannot find old plans |
Public search shows status but not full job copies |
Submit a Permit Center public-record request with address and parcel number. |
Permit expired |
Work did not begin or was inactive for six months |
Ask about extension, reactivation, updated plans and remaining inspections. |
Fee is higher than estimate |
Plan review, trades, impact fees, reinspection, resubmission or other charges |
Compare each invoice line with the FY26 schedule and current impact-fee table. |
What to Say When You Call or Email
“I plan to [describe exact work] at [full address and parcel number]. Does the county have jurisdiction, which permit and clearance sheet do I need, and which plans or inspections apply?”
“My application is [number] at [address]. Which sufficiency item or review comment is preventing the next step, and where should I submit the correction?”
“I need inspection request [number] for permit [number]. The work is uncovered and ready. Are there any holds, NOC requirements or documents missing?”
“I found permit [number] at [address], but I cannot confirm final approval. Please identify the outstanding inspection, hold or certificate requirement.”
Do Not Consider the Project Complete Until These Are Confirmed
- Correct jurisdiction confirmed
- Clearance sheet active
- Correct permit types selected
- Plans and product approvals accepted
- Utilities, septic or well approvals complete
- Wind and flood requirements addressed
- Fees and impact fees paid
- NOC recorded and posted when required
- Permit card and approved plans on site
- Every required inspection approved
- Failed items corrected
- Trade permits finaled
- C/O or completion status confirmed
- Final records saved
St. Johns County Building Department Location
Bring: Application or permit number, parcel number, clearance sheet, plans, correction notice, contractor information and photo ID.
Open the Correct St. Johns County Tool or Form
St. Johns County Building Department Questions
Where can I search a St. Johns County building permit?
Use the official county permit search. You can search by permit number, project address, project name, parcel number and other available fields. Open the complete record to check inspections, holds, releases and certificate status.
What is the St. Johns County Building Department phone number?
Call 904-827-6800 for building permits and plan-review help. Contractor Licensing is 904-827-6820, Permit Center Records is 904-827-6822 and the automated inspection line is 904-827-6842.
What time must I schedule an inspection for same-day service?
The county inspection page says inspections scheduled before 7:00 AM will be performed the same day. Check permit holds, use the correct request number and make sure the work is ready before scheduling.
How long is a St. Johns County clearance sheet valid?
A clearance sheet is valid for six months. It may include the 911 address, flood information, zoning setbacks, minimum floor elevation and other parcel details used during permitting.
When is a Notice of Commencement required?
County pages currently show different project-value thresholds, while the building application warns that the NOC must be recorded and posted before the first inspection when required. Confirm the permit-specific requirement with Building Services before scheduling the first inspection.
Can a property owner apply as an owner-builder?
Yes, when the project qualifies under Florida law and the county affidavit. The owner must personally appear and sign, provide direct onsite supervision and accept legal, financial, employment and insurance responsibilities.
How long does a St. Johns County building permit remain active?
The current building-permit application says the permit becomes null and void if work does not begin within six months or if work is suspended or abandoned for six months after it starts.
Are impact fees included in the building-permit fee?
No. Building-permit and plan-review fees are separate from impact fees. The 2026 impact schedule includes roads, schools, public buildings, fire rescue, law and jail, parks and conservation components.
How do I request old building plans or a complete permit package?
Search the permit first, then submit a Permit Center public-record request. Provide the project name, address and parcel number and ask for Job Copies of Building Permit Plans and the Permit Package.
Does early power allow me to occupy a new building?
No. The county’s early-power form says early electricity is for construction convenience and does not replace final inspections or a Certificate of Occupancy. Occupancy before a formal C/O is prohibited.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent informational guide and is not St. Johns County Government.
This page was checked against the St. Johns County Building Department, permit and plan-status tools, clearance-sheet guidance, Building Inspection procedures, current 2026 forms, FY26 fee schedule, 2026 Phase 1 impact-fee table, owner-builder affidavit, Early Power agreement and Permit Center records instructions.
Last reviewed: July 21, 2026.
Fees, forms, inspection procedures, code editions, contacts and online systems can change. Confirm time-sensitive information before filing, paying, scheduling or beginning work.
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
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
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.