Room Addition Permit Requirements in St. Johns County, FL

St. Johns County Building Services issues all residential permits (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, roof, pool) for unincorporated county land outside the City of St. Augustine and City of St. Augustine Beach. Codes in force: Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) residential and building, NEC 2020, ASCE 7-22 wind design. County is in the wind-borne debris region (not HVHZ, which is only Miami-Dade and Broward). Impact-rated windows and doors or approved storm shutters required for residential openings. Septic permits handled by Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County at (904) 506-6081. Driveways on county roads go through St. Johns County Road and Bridge; driveways on US-1 or I-95 require FDOT approval. Historic district overlays may apply in some areas. Licensed FL CILB contractors required for most trades; owner-builder allowed under F.S. 489.103(7) for homesteaded primary residence with personal supervision affidavit.

By Joey, Founder · Last verified April 20, 2026 · How we research →

Population: 306,000 Code: 2023 Verified: 2026-04-20 2 local rules

When you need a Addition permit in St. Johns County

Required·Rule 1

Even a small addition (under 200 sq ft) to a dwelling requires a building permit. Foundation, framing, and tie-in to the existing structure must meet FBCR 8th Edition, and the addition must comply with wind-borne debris region opening protection rules.

Estimated Fee$250 – $600
Typical Timelineabout 2 weeks
SourceSt. Johns County Building Services / FBCR 8th Edition (2023) · view source
Required·Rule 2

Additions over 200 sq ft require building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits. Florida-licensed trade contractors are required. If the home is on septic, capacity must be reviewed by the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County at (904) 506-6081. Engineered plans are typical for structural framing and foundation.

Estimated Fee$500 – $1,500
Typical Timelineabout 4 weeks
SourceSt. Johns County Building Services / FBCR 8th Edition (2023) · view source

Room Addition Permit Costs: St. Johns County vs. Nearby

St. Johns County comes in on the low side for Florida. You're looking at $250 – $1,500 here, compared to the state average of $557 – $2,928.

CityEstimated Fee
St. Johns County $250 – $1,500
Jacksonville $200 – $1,500
Miami $520 – $6,500
Tampa $360 – $4,500

Fees shown are estimates based on local building code data. Actual fees may vary based on project scope and valuation. See all St. Johns County permit costs →

Zoning & HOA Considerations

Zoning

Room additions typically require zoning review for setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage. Your addition must comply with your zoning district's building envelope requirements.

HOA Communities

If you live in an HOA community: room additions almost always require HOA architectural review approval. HOAs may restrict the size, style, materials, and exterior appearance of additions to maintain neighborhood consistency.

Estimated Project Timeline in St. Johns County

Here's a typical timeline for a room addition project in St. Johns County, FL:

Week 1
Get quotes & finalize design
Contact licensed contractors, get 3+ quotes, finalize project scope and drawings (plan drawings required).
Week 2
Prepare permit documents
Contractor prepares site plan, construction drawings, and permit application. Gather required documents per your city's checklist.
Week 3
Submit permit application
Your contractor submits the application to St. Johns County's building department, apply online here.
Week 4-7
Plan review & approval
Typical processing time in St. Johns County: about 4 weeks. Plan review examiner checks drawings for code compliance.
Week 8+
Construction & inspections
Post the permit card on site. Work begins. Schedule inspections at required stages (varies by project). Final inspection required before closing the permit.

Timeline is based on St. Johns County's typical about 4 weeks permit processing time. Actual timelines vary by project complexity, completeness of application, and current department workload.

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Building Department Contact

NameSt. Johns County Building Services
Address4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
HoursMon-Fri 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

Estimated permit fees for Room Addition projects in St. Johns County, FL range from $250 – $1,500. Fees vary based on project scope and valuation.

It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Room Addition projects may be exempt from permit requirements, while larger ones typically require a permit. Use our free lookup tool to check your specific situation.

Working without a required permit in St. Johns County can result in fines, stop-work orders, being required to remove completed work, and complications when selling your home. It's always best to check first.

Typical approval time for Room Addition permits in St. Johns County is about 2 weeks. More complex projects may take longer if plan review is required.

If you live in an HOA community, you may need architectural review approval in addition to a building permit. HOA rules and city building codes are separate, you may need to satisfy both. Review your CC&Rs and submit to your HOA's architectural review committee before starting work.

Learn More About Room Addition Permits

Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.

Read Room Addition Guide →

Estimate your permit fees →

Disclaimer: This information was last verified on 2026-04-20. Building permit requirements may change. Zoning requirements (setbacks, lot coverage, height limits) are separate and vary by location. Always confirm with your local building and planning departments before starting your project. PermitMint provides general guidance, not legal advice.