Retaining Wall 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 Retaining Wall permit
Retaining walls 4 feet or less measured from bottom of footing to top of wall and not supporting a surcharge are exempt from a building permit per FBCR 8th Edition R105.2.
When you need a Retaining Wall permit
Retaining walls over 4 feet (or any height supporting a surcharge such as a driveway) require a building permit with engineered plans per FBCR 8th Edition R404.4.
Retaining Wall Permit Costs: St. Johns County vs. Nearby
St. Johns County's fees are right in line with the Florida average, $150 – $350 versus $145 – $574 statewide.
| City | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| St. Johns County | $150 – $350 |
| Jacksonville | $112 – $400 |
| Miami | $195 – $780 |
| Tampa | $135 – $540 |
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
Retaining walls near property lines may require zoning setback review. Walls that significantly change the grade of a property may need additional zoning approval.
If you live in an HOA community: some HOAs restrict retaining wall materials and appearance. Visible retaining walls in front or side yards may need architectural review approval for material and design.
Estimated Project Timeline
Here's a typical timeline for a retaining wall 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 Retaining Wall projects range from $150 – $350. Fees vary based on project scope and valuation.
It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Retaining Wall 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 Retaining Wall 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 Retaining Wall Permits
Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.
Read Retaining Wall Guide →