Fireplace Permit Requirements in St. Johns County, FL
St. Johns County Building Department at 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine FL 32084, (904) 827-6800, info@sjcfl.us, online permit portal at sjcfl.us/permit-status/. Issues all building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for unincorporated St. Johns County, including the former Town of Hastings (ZIP 32145). The Town of Hastings VOLUNTARILY DISSOLVED its municipal charter on March 14, 2017 and is now fully unincorporated St. Johns County; there is no separate Hastings municipal government, and the 'Hastings, FL' USPS designation is purely a postal address. ZIP 32145 covers a rural agricultural area in southern St. Johns County (~25 miles southwest of St. Augustine), historically known as the 'Potato Capital' of Florida. Florida adopted the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code statewide effective December 31, 2023; the 9th Edition (2026) is published but not effective until December 31, 2026. The FBC includes Building, Residential (FBC-R), Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Test Protocols, and references the NEC (2020) for electrical. IECC Climate Zone 2A (hot-humid). Hastings/32145 is INLAND (not in the Wind-Borne Debris Zone, which covers only St. Johns coastal areas within 1 mile of the Atlantic shoreline) per St. Johns County WBDZ map. Florida has STRONG state-level contractor licensing through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Construction Industry Licensing Board: Certified contractors (statewide) and Registered contractors (county-only). Categories: CGC general, CBC building, CRC residential, CCC commercial, ER residential electrical, EC certified electrical, CFC certified plumbing, CMC certified mechanical/HVAC, CRRC roofing. Owner-builder allowed under FL Statute 489.103(7) for primary residence (cannot sell/lease for 1 year post-completion). Distinctive features: (1) Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) regulated by Florida DEP for any work east of A1A near the Atlantic shoreline (does not apply to inland Hastings); (2) St. Johns River Water Management District permits for water-related work; (3) Most rural Hastings parcels use private well + septic regulated by Florida Department of Health; (4) FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas extensive due to coastal/tidal flooding and hurricane storm surge; check FEMA Flood Map Service Center for parcel; (5) Hurricane storm-surge and tropical-system flooding exposure typical of north Florida; (6) Tomoka River, St. Johns River, Crescent Lake watersheds.
By Joey, Founder · Last verified April 27, 2026 · How we research →
When you don’t need a Fireplace permit
An electric fireplace that plugs into an existing outlet does not require a permit. A hardwired electric fireplace requires an electrical permit.
When you need a Fireplace permit
Installing a gas fireplace insert requires a mechanical permit. A Florida-licensed gas or mechanical contractor is required and venting must meet FBCR 8th Edition G2427.
Installing a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace requires building and mechanical permits. Hearth pad, clearances to combustibles, and chimney requirements per FBCR 8th Edition R1001 and R1003.9 apply (chimney must extend at least 3 feet above roof penetration).
Fireplace Permit Costs: St. Johns County vs. Nearby
St. Johns County's fees are right in line with the Florida average, $125 – $400 versus $131 – $472 statewide.
| City | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| St. Johns County | $125 – $400 |
| Jacksonville | $75 – $800 |
| Miami | $75 – $800 |
| Tampa | $75 – $800 |
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
Fireplace and wood stove installations rarely trigger zoning review. Many California air quality districts (SCAQMD, BAAQMD) prohibit NEW wood-burning fireplaces in new construction. Chimney height requirements must comply with IRC R1003.9 (3 ft above roof penetration, 2 ft above any point within 10 ft horizontally).
If you live in an HOA community: hOAs in some communities prohibit wood-burning appliances entirely due to smoke and air quality concerns. Gas fireplaces are usually permitted. Chimney caps and exterior venting may face aesthetic review.
Estimated Project Timeline
Here's a typical timeline for a fireplace project:
Timeline is based on the typical about 2 weeks permit processing time. Actual timelines vary by project complexity, completeness of application, and current department workload.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Estimated permit fees for Fireplace projects range from $125 – $400. Fees vary based on project scope and valuation.
It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Fireplace 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 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 Fireplace permits 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 Fireplace Permits
Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.
Read Fireplace Guide →