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Oct
28

Construction Industry Licensing Board Meeting

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Oct
21

Code Enforcement Magistrate Hearing

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New Rules Related to Building Permit Exemptions

About

New building permit exemption provisions have been established under Florida House Bill (HB) 803 and are effective July 1, 2026. 

The legislation creates limited permit exemptions for certain construction projects at single-family residences and establishes exemption requirements for temporary flood barrier installations meeting specific standards. 

While some qualifying projects may no longer require a building permit, property owners and contractors must obtain exemption approval through the Building Department before proceeding with the exempt work.

Residential Construction Permit Exemptions

Under HB 803, certain non-structural residential construction projects with a total value of less than $7,500 (including materials and labor) may qualify for a permit exemption. Property owners and contractors should be aware that the exemption does not apply to:

  • Properties located in a flood zone or flood hazard area
  • Electrical work
  • Plumbing work
  • Mechanical work
  • Gas work
  • Structural work 

Many common home projects still require permits, even if they cost well under $7,500. Some examples include:

  • Water heater replacements
  • Water softener installations
  • Air conditioning or HVAC work
  • Electrical panels,
  • Rewiring or any electrical upgrades
  • Plumbing repairs or replacements
  • Gas appliances
  • Structural (e.g. roofing, load bearing walls, elevated decks, window and doors, storage sheds)

State law also prohibits dividing a larger project into multiple smaller projects to avoid permitting requirements.

How to Qualify for an Exemption

To qualify for an exemption, applicants must submit a written Permit Exemption Application (PDF) with a permit request to the Building Department, along with documentation of the work and a copy of the signed contract including an itemized cost breakdown.

Important Notice Regarding Compliance

Work performed under an approved permit exemption will not be inspected by Building Department staff. Property owners and contractors are responsible for ensuring all exempt work complies with applicable laws, regulations and building standards.

Additional Information

For any additional questions or for more information, please contact the Martin County Building Department at (772) 288-5916 or select the Contact Us button below.

Contact Us

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Recovery Permitting Guide

Post-Storm Repairs: Permit Requirements

This guide provides essential information on permitting requirements and procedures for repairing or rebuilding after a hurricane or tropical storm.

Repairs That Do Not Require a Permit:

  • Temporary tarping of roofs
  • Debris and tree removal
  • Minor cosmetic repairs (paint, flooring, etc.)
  • Fence panel reattachment (no posts)
  • Replacing glass in existing approved frames (if no frame damage)

Repairs That Require a Permit:

(Fees waived and expedited review)

  • Roof replacements or substantial roof repairs
  • Structural repairs (walls, trusses, balconies)
  • Electrical service restoration/replacement
  • HVAC equipment replacement
  • Window replacement
  • Door replacement
  • Screen enclosure replacement
  • Fence replacement
  • Shed replacement
  • Water heater replacement
  • Firewalls
  • Storm demolition

All other repairs shall meet the requirements of the Florida Building Code. Standard fees apply. For additional information, call the Martin County Building Department at (772) 288-5916.

Post-Storm Permit Application Process

How to apply

  • Via Online Permit System
  • In person at the Martin County Building Department lobby, 900 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart

Temporary field office permitting stations (if activated)

Martin County Fire Department Station 33
7555 SE Federal Hwy 
Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Martin County Intergovernmental Center
16550 SW Warfield Blvd
Indiantown, FL 34956

Required Documents:

Permitting Checklists

Properties located in a Special Flood Hazard Area 

Additional permit requirements may apply for properties located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). To determine your home's flood zone, access Martin County's FEMA Flood Zones Map.

Substantial Improvements or Substantial Damage: 

If a structure located in a SFHA is not built to the current design flood elevation and is "substantially damaged" or "substantially improved," it must be brought into compliance with the Martin County Floodplain Management Ordinance and the Florida Building Code.

Homeowners can receive, review, and access Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage Letters online through the Online Permit System (ACA) or via email by submitting a Request for Service to the Public Works Department. 

For additional information, visit Martin County’s Flood Zone and Flood Protection web page or call the Martin County Public Works Department at (772) 288-5466.

Local Code References:

Annual Update and Web Publication

This guide will be published annually by May 1 on the Martin County Building Department website and the Martin County Public Works Department website.

Lien and Records Search

Martin County has established a partnership with Orange Data to enhance the efficiency of our lien search requests. As a result, all such requests will now be exclusively facilitated through the Orange Data Portal.

Digital Plan Room

Instructions for applying for permits online by using the Digital Plan Room.

Building Permit and Inspection Utilization Reports

Pursuant to Florida Statutes 553.80, by December 31 of each year, the governing body of a local government that provides a schedule of fees shall create a building permit and inspection utilization report and post the report on its website. The information in the report shall be derived from relevant information available in the most recently completed financial audit. After December 31, of each year, the governing body of a local government that provides a schedule of fees shall update its building permit and inspection utilization report before making any adjustments to the fee schedule.

Martin County’s fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.  The information below is derived between that period for each respective fiscal year. Below please find the Building Permit and Inspection Utilization Reports.

Building Permit and Inspection Utilization Report: Fiscal Year 2024
Category Total
Personnel Services Costs Including Salary $3,812,375
Operating Expenditures & Expenses $3,452,801
Investment Earnings $248,846
Operating Reserve Balance Carried Forward $7,472,814
Capital Reserve Balance Carried Forward $7,265,176
Revenue Derived from Fees/Fines $7,560,183
Refunds $76,458
Number of Building Permit Applications Submitted 17,107
Number of Building Permits Issued or Approved 16,778
Number of Building Inspections & Reinspections Requested 71,813
Number of Building Inspections & Reinspections Conducted 67,720
Number of Building Inspections Conducted by a Private Provider 12,393
Number of Audits Conducted by the Local Government of Private Provider Building Inspections 0
Number of Personnel Dedicated to Enforce the FBC, Issue Building Permits & Conduct Inspections 36.5

 

 

Building Permit and Inspection Utilization Report: Fiscal Year 2023
Category Total
Personnel Services Costs Including Salary $3,278,874
Operating Expenditures & Expenses $3,089,298
Investment Earnings $81,440
Operating Reserve Balance Carried Forward $6,267,808
Capital Reserve Balance Carried Forward $6,950,000
Revenue Derived from Fees/Fines $7,699,404
Refunds $32,143
Number of Building Permit Applications Submitted 16,235
Number of Building Permits Issued or Approved 16,197
Number of Building Inspections & Reinspections Requested 68,969
Number of Building Inspections & Reinspections Conducted 64,376
Number of Building Inspections Conducted by a Private Provider 4,398
Number of Audits Conducted by the Local Government of Private Provider Building Inspections 0
Number of Personnel Dedicated to Enforce the FBC, Issue Building Permits & Conduct Inspections 36.5

Virtual Building Inspections

The Martin County Building Department now offers VuSpex, a convenient virtual inspections tool that allows contractors and owner-builders to complete inspections remotely—using any device with a camera and internet connection. With VuSpex, our inspectors can conduct thorough virtual inspections from any location, helping you save time and reduce costs.

Eligible Permit Types

VuSpex virtual inspections are currently available for the following permits:

Vacant Property Registry

In an effort to curtail the growing problem of abandoned and neglected properties, Martin County has enacted an ordinance that requires lenders to register these properties on the County’s Defaulted Property Registry.

The intent of the ordinance is to maintain a listing of these properties for periodic inspection to ensure compliance with County’s Property Maintenance Code. Having these properties registered will give us better information on who is responsible for the property so we can get compliance in a more efficient manner. 

Pay for a Permit

Building or fire permits may be paid online via Martin County's online permit system, also known as Accela Citizen Access (ACA).

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