Building permits inside the City of St. Petersburg are issued by the Construction Services & Permitting Division of the Planning & Development Services Department — separate from Pinellas County, which handles unincorporated areas. St. Pete runs an electronic plan review process and is rolling out a new Tyler permitting system.
This City of St. Petersburg building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the electronic submission process, multimodal impact fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your St. Pete project starts clean.
This guide covers work inside the City of St. Petersburg. Construction Services & Permitting handles only projects within city limits. Unincorporated Pinellas County and neighboring cities such as Clearwater, Largo, and Pinellas Park run their own building departments with separate portals and fees.
What requires a building permit in City of St. Petersburg?
Under the Florida Building Code (§105.1) and the St. Petersburg Code of Ordinances (Building Code), a permit is required before you construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of most structures and systems. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and tenant build-outs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Roof replacements, window and door replacements, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Swimming pools, spas, docks, seawalls, and fences
- Solar PV systems and signs
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Beginning without one exposes the owner to after-the-fact fees and penalties. In flood zones, the FEMA 49% Rule (substantial improvement) can change what's required — confirm before you start.
Who handles permitting in City of St. Petersburg?
Permitting inside city limits is administered by the Construction Services & Permitting Division. As a low-lying coastal city, St. Petersburg routinely involves floodplain review, flood elevation certificates, and FEMA substantial-improvement (49%) analysis.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Municipal Services Center, One 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
| Main phone | (727) 893-7231 |
| ePlan help desk | (727) 893-7230 |
| Online portal | Building & Permitting (electronic plan review); new Tyler system rolling out |
| Contractor licensing | Verified via the Pinellas County licensing board |
| Enforced code | Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023); St. Petersburg Building Code |
Submit electronic plan review through the city's Building & Permitting portal. Since November 2023, e-plan requests no longer need an email prescreen — you receive an application number immediately. The city is implementing a new Tyler permitting system, so confirm the current portal at submittal.
City of St. Petersburg permit types
A building permit is one record among many. Construction Svcs & Permitting issues work under separate record types, and filing under the wrong one is a rejection, not a correction — the application is closed and refiled, and the review clock restarts.
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures over the exempt threshold | Full plan review (structural, energy, zoning) | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural or load-bearing changes, layout changes, substantial repair | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement and most major roof repair | Product approval review; dry-in and nail-off inspections | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount PV installation or replacement | Structural plus electrical review | Flat or system-size based |
| Solar thermal | Passive water heating or pool heating systems | Plumbing and structural review | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, most wiring alterations | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, water heaters, fixtures, gas piping | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts that are not like-for-like, ductwork, refrigeration | Trade review; filed against the building permit | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Windows and doors | Replacement units and opening protection | Product approval review for wind-borne debris | Valuation or per-opening |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barrier and enclosure work | Plan review plus barrier and electrical bonding | Valuation-based |
| Fence and accessory | Fences, sheds, decks, and carports over the exempt threshold | Zoning plus structural where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification required | Flat |
Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily | Full multi-discipline plan review | Valuation-based |
| Tenant improvement | Interior build-outs and suite fit-ups | Plan review across affected disciplines | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope | Valuation-based |
| Change of use | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Zoning, life-safety, and accessibility review | Valuation or flat |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement | Product approval review plus fire review where applicable | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount PV | Structural, electrical, and often fire review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, and gas systems | Trade review | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and suppression systems | Fire prevention plan review | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Demolition | Full or partial commercial demolition | Utility disconnect and environmental clearance | Flat or valuation-based |
Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Master permit with trades filed against it
- Owner-builder route exists but carries statutory affidavits
- Product approval drives roofing and opening protection
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans across every affected discipline
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to change of use
- Impact and concurrency fees can apply on top of permit fees
Solar permits in City of St. Petersburg
Solar is permitted as its own record type in most Florida jurisdictions rather than rolled into a general building permit, and residential and commercial photovoltaic are usually separate records with different document sets. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a third, distinct record.
A photovoltaic submittal is reviewed on two tracks at once: structural (roof load path, attachment spacing, uplift) and electrical (conductor sizing, rapid shutdown, point of interconnection). A single-line diagram and a signed and sealed structural attachment detail are the two attachments most often missing on a first submittal.
Under Fla. Stat. §163.04, a homeowners' association cannot prohibit a solar collector on a dwelling — HOA architectural approval is not a prerequisite to permit issuance, though it may still be a contractual matter between owner and association.
Utility interconnection runs parallel to the building permit, not inside it. Permission to Operate is issued by the utility after the final electrical inspection clears.
Roofing permits in City of St. Petersburg
A roof covering replacement requires a permit in every Florida jurisdiction. Repairs below the local threshold may not, but the threshold is scope-specific and confirming it with the building department before tear-off is cheaper than an after-the-fact permit.
Every roof product must carry a current Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance rated for the wind speed at the project address. A product approval number that has lapsed or is rated below the site wind speed is the single most common reroof rejection.
Reroof inspections are sequenced: dry-in after the underlayment, nail-off on the sheathing fastening, and final. Covering the deck before the dry-in inspection means tearing it back open.
Hurricane mitigation retrofit requirements can attach when an existing roof is replaced, including secondary water barrier and roof-to-wall connection work. These add scope and documents, and they are triggered by the replacement itself.
Under Fla. Stat. §553.7922, jurisdictions run expedited procedures for permits that need no technical review — reroofs, roof repairs, and similar — during a declared state of emergency.
City of St. Petersburg building permit cost
City of St. Petersburg building fees are set by the City Code (Chapter 12) and based on the type and valuation of work, with separate fees for each trade. The city also collects multimodal impact fees (MIFs) under the Pinellas County Countywide MIF Ordinance to fund transportation improvements.
A plans examiner calculates the MIF after the application is submitted; MIFs are typically due before the Certificate of Occupancy for new construction (or before permit issuance for modifications). Confirm current amounts with Construction Services before budgeting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Based on type and valuation of work (City Code Ch. 12); minimum fees apply |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade unless rolled into a master permit |
| Multimodal impact fees (MIF) | Per Pinellas Countywide MIF Ordinance; due before CO (or permit for mods) |
| Plan review | Assessed at intake; floodplain review may apply |
| State surcharge | DBPR surcharge added per Florida statute |
| Work-without-permit | After-the-fact fees and penalties |
Want a precise number for a specific City of St. Petersburg project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
City of St. Petersburg trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and licensed contractor, each filed against the master building permit.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations. St. Petersburg enforces the electrical provisions of the Florida Building Code.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping. Fees follow the city schedule with a per-permit minimum.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration. Specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Roof replacements, pools and spas, docks, seawalls, and fences are permitted separately. As a coastal city, St. Petersburg requires roofing and opening products to carry current Florida Product Approval rated for the local wind speed, and waterfront work has added requirements.
Verify your contractor's license. Confirm the contractor is licensed in Florida (the Florida DBPR at (850) 487-1395) and recognized by the Pinellas County licensing board before signing. The property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in City of St. Petersburg
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and confirm the parcel is inside City of St. Petersburg limits — not unincorporated Pinellas, Clearwater, Largo, or another city. Check flood zone and the FEMA 49% Rule for renovations.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation, signed and sealed plans, energy calcs, and a flood elevation certificate where required.
Submit for electronic plan review
Apply through the Building & Permitting portal; you'll receive an application number immediately. Confirm whether the new Tyler system is in use at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Construction Services routes the application to applicable reviews, including floodplain. Upload revisions promptly if comments are returned.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the calculated fees, including any multimodal impact fees due at this stage, then download the permit. Record and post a Notice of Commencement where required.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections through the portal. Pay any remaining impact fees and clear all required inspections to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in City of St. Petersburg
Schedule inspections through the city's Building & Permitting portal. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. Post the permit and Notice of Commencement on site with approved documents available.
Multimodal impact fees are typically required before the Certificate of Occupancy for new construction. A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or CO.
Official City of St. Petersburg permitting resources
- 🏛️ St. Petersburg Building & Permitting
- 💻 Building permits & e-plan review
- 💵 Permit & impact fees
- 📘 Florida Building Code (8th Ed.)
- ✅ Florida Product Approval search
- 🪪 DBPR license verification
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in the City of St. Petersburg?
The City of St. Petersburg Construction Services & Permitting Division issues permits for work inside city limits. Unincorporated Pinellas County and neighboring cities such as Clearwater and Largo run their own building departments.
How do I get a building permit in St. Petersburg?
Confirm the parcel is inside city limits, prepare your plans (and a flood elevation certificate where required), and submit for electronic plan review through the Building & Permitting portal. After review and fee payment, schedule inspections in the portal.
What is the FEMA 49% Rule in St. Petersburg?
In flood zones, FEMA's substantial-improvement (49%) rule limits how much you can improve or repair a structure relative to its value before it must be brought into full floodplain compliance. It frequently affects coastal renovations in St. Pete.
How much does a St. Petersburg building permit cost?
Fees are based on the type and valuation of work, with separate trade fees plus multimodal impact fees (MIFs) on qualifying development, due before the Certificate of Occupancy. Confirm current amounts before filing.
Does St. Petersburg offer expedited permitting?
Yes. The city offers a 10-day expedited plan review for qualifying affordable/workforce housing projects.
Do I need a permit to install solar panels in City of St. Petersburg?
Yes. Photovoltaic installations in City of St. Petersburg are permitted under a dedicated solar record type reviewed on both a structural and an electrical track. Solar thermal — passive water and pool heating — is a separate record. Under Fla. Stat. §163.04 a homeowners' association cannot prohibit a solar collector, so HOA approval is not a prerequisite to permit issuance. Utility interconnection and Permission to Operate run in parallel with the permit, not inside it.
Does a roof replacement require a permit in City of St. Petersburg?
Yes. A roof covering replacement requires a permit in every Florida jurisdiction, including City of St. Petersburg. Products must carry a current Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance rated for the wind speed at the project address, and inspections are sequenced — dry-in, nail-off, then final. Some minor repairs fall below the permit threshold, but the threshold is scope-specific.
What is the difference between a residential and a commercial permit in City of St. Petersburg?
Residential work is generally a single-discipline review filed as a master permit with trades filed against it. Commercial work in City of St. Petersburg runs concurrent review across building, fire, and zoning, requires signed and sealed plans for every affected discipline, and can carry impact and concurrency fees on top of permit fees. Change of use adds accessibility and life-safety review.
Do trade permits need to be pulled separately in City of St. Petersburg?
Yes in most cases. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is permitted separately by the licensed contractor for each trade and filed against the master building permit. Each trade permit carries its own fee and its own inspection sequence.
What happens if I file under the wrong permit type in City of St. Petersburg?
The application is rejected rather than corrected. Construction Svcs & Permitting closes the record, the filing is resubmitted under the correct record type, and the review clock restarts from zero. Confirming the record type before filing is the cheapest step in the entire process.
Can I apply for all City of St. Petersburg permit types online?
Most record types are filed through Building & Permitting, but availability varies by permit type and by applicant. Some records still require in-person submittal, and owner-builder filings are frequently restricted to counter submittal regardless of record type.
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More Florida permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the City of St. Petersburg Construction Services & Permitting Division before filing. This is not legal advice.