Stuart, Florida Building Permit Guide

The City of Stuart Building Division, at 121 SW Flagler Avenue, issues building and trade permits inside city limits, and permits and contractor registrations are filed through the city’s OpenGov portal. Contractors must hold a state registered or state certified licence, and new development can owe both City of Stuart and Martin County impact fees.

What requires a building permit in Stuart?

Stuart's Building Division handles permits for structures ranging from homes and office buildings to fences, as well as remodeling and additions. The city also publishes a 2026 notice implementing Florida HB 803 for limited permit exemptions at qualifying single-family residences.

Under Stuart’s notice, certain non-structural residential projects with a total value under $7,500 may qualify for an exemption, but only after approval through the Building Department. The exemption does not apply to properties in a flood zone or flood hazard area, or to electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas or structural work. The city lists water heaters, water softeners, A/C or HVAC work, electrical panels and rewiring, plumbing repairs, gas appliances, roofing, load-bearing walls, elevated decks, windows and doors and storage sheds as projects that still need permits. To apply, upload the Permit Exemption Request to the online portal with the work documents and a signed contract with an itemized cost breakdown.

Stuart building department: who handles permitting

Building permit applications, contractor registrations and alarm registrations are all submitted through the city’s OpenGov portal. To set up an account, open the Building & Permitting area, choose Sign Up and create an OpenGov ID. If you have permits from before the switch to OpenGov, email the permit numbers to permitting@ci.stuart.fl.us to have them linked to your account. The Building Division’s fax number is 772-288-5388.

Stuart permit types and local requirements

Stuart’s Building Division handles permits for new construction, remodeling and additions, as well as trade work and private-provider projects.

Forms in the Building Division’s forms library:

• Contractor Verification Application and Change of Contractor Application.
• Owner Builder Affidavit: the owner must appear in person to sign the permit application.
• Permit Exemption Request Application for qualifying work under $7,500.
• Reroof Sheathing Affidavit, Cut Truss Affidavit and Pool Safety Barrier Affidavit.
• Electrical Load Calc Worksheet and an electric vehicle charging station guide.
• BOAF Duct Leakage and Envelope Leakage Test Reports.
• Private Provider Notice to Building Official, Request for Permit Extension, the Expired Permit Procedure and the After Hours Inspection Request Application.

Stuart permit fees

The city says the full list of current fees is in Resolution No. 86-2025.

New development may also owe City of Stuart impact fees and, depending on location and project type, Martin County impact fees.

Stuart building and trade responsibility

Stuart’s exemption notice says the $7,500 exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas work, so those trades still need permits. Since July 1, 2025, the city no longer accepts Certificates of Competency as a contractor licence; contractors must be state registered or state certified.

In an emergency, water-heater replacements, A/C replacements and electrical repairs (weatherhead, breaker malfunctions) may go ahead without a permit. Notify the Building Official at (772) 600-1249, and submit a permit application in OpenGov on the next business day; the city expects the permit within 24–48 hours of finishing the repair. Applications must come from a registered, licensed contractor, although a homesteaded owner may apply for their own water heater permit. This is not a general exemption from permitting.

Stuart also allows owners to elect a private provider under Florida law, but the city states that the Building Official must approve use of the private provider before permit submittal.

How to apply for a Stuart permit

Inspections in Stuart

The Building Division conducts field inspections to make sure buildings are built to the approved plans and applicable codes.

Normal inspection hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Inspections outside those hours need the After Hours Inspection Request Application, received and paid for by noon the day before (48 hours ahead for weekends); cancel or reschedule by 4:00 p.m. the day before to avoid the charge. The city notes it has two inspectors, so after-hours requests cannot always be met. Permit and inspection status can be checked on the OpenGov permit search.

Work done under an approved permit exemption is not inspected by the Building Department. The owner and contractor are responsible for making sure it meets the applicable rules.

Florida building code

The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), has applied statewide since 31 December 2023; the Florida Building Commission has proposed the 9th Edition (2026) to take effect on 31 December 2026. Florida permit rules

Stuart permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Stuart?

The City of Stuart Building Division, at 121 SW Flagler Avenue. Call 772-288-5326.

Where are permits filed?

Through the City of Stuart OpenGov portal, which also handles contractor and alarm registrations.

Can a small residential project be exempt?

Certain non-structural single-family work under $7,500 may qualify under Stuart’s 2026 HB 803 process, but city approval is required and trade, structural and flood-zone work is excluded.

Can I replace a water heater or A/C in an emergency?

Yes. Notify the Building Official at (772) 600-1249 and file the permit in OpenGov on the next business day. A homesteaded owner may pull their own water heater permit.

Does Stuart accept a county certificate of competency?

No. Since July 1, 2025, contractors must be state registered or state certified.

Can I get an inspection outside business hours?

Possibly. Submit and pay for the After Hours Inspection Request by noon the day before, or 48 hours ahead for weekends.

Does Stuart allow private providers?

Yes, but the Building Official must approve use of the private provider before permit submittal.

Stuart permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Florida Building Commission — 8th Edition (2023)
• 2026 Permit Exemptions
• OpenGov permit applications
• Building Division
• Building Division directory
• Building forms
• Private Provider
• Impact Fees
• Stuart OpenGov building permit portal
• Stuart building permit search
• Stuart after-hours inspection request

Simplify Stuart permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Florida. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Stuart permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.