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Port St. Lucie, FL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing rule
FBC § 105.1, adopted at Code § 150.001
New-construction fee formula
ICC valuation/sq ft x sq ft x 0.005
Extra inspection/review fee
$75.00 each
DBPR surcharge
1% of permit fees, $2 minimum
Working without a permit
Penalty fee plus possible prosecution
Continuing violation
Each day is a separate offense

Summary

Port St. Lucie requires a building permit before anyone constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves or demolishes a building or structure. The Florida Building Code, adopted locally at Code § 150.001, puts the building official in charge of every application and inspection citywide.

105.1 Required. Any owner or owner's authorized agent in accordance with Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or use of a building, tenancy or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, fire protection system, accessible element, flood resistant element, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 103).

Full Breakdown

001, requires any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, remove, convert or replace impact-resistant coverings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, fire protection systems, or flood-resistant elements, to first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit. 3). 00 charge for each additional required inspection or plans review. 631, Florida Statutes. 4 makes anyone who starts work before obtaining the necessary permit subject to a penalty fee on top of the regular permit fee, unless the work was true emergency work, and even then the permit must be applied for by the next business day.

Paying the penalty fee does not excuse the person from prosecution for working without a permit; the building official may waive fees only for justifiable cause shown in writing.

Violations & Fines

Section 114.1 makes it unlawful to construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish or occupy any regulated building or structure without complying with the code, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense. Under § 114.4, anyone who violates the code or builds contrary to approved plans, a permit, or a building official's directive faces penalties, fees and fines as prescribed by law, and § 114.2 lets the building official issue a stop-work order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to remodel my Port St. Lucie home?
Yes. FBC § 105.1, adopted at Code § 150.001, requires a permit before you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish any building or structure, or touch its electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, before the building official reviews and issues it.
What happens if I start work before getting a permit?
Section 109.4 subjects you to a penalty fee on top of the regular permit fee. The exception is genuine emergency work, but you must still apply for the permit by the next business day or face the penalty; paying it does not stop the city from prosecuting you.
How is my residential permit fee calculated?
Under § 109.7.1, new single-family construction fees equal the ICC valuation per square foot times the square footage times 0.005, plus an 11% plan review surcharge unless the permit is an express permit, with statutory DBPR and licensing board surcharges added on top.

Sources & Official References

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