Attention: Effective November 3, 2025, lobby hours for the Building Department will revert back to the pre-storm schedule to allow for the testing, training, and implementation of the new Tyler Software system. Lobby hours effective November 3rd are 8 am to 4 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and 8 am to 12 pm on Wednesday.
*On January 26, 2026, the Building Official Association of Florida issued a Florida Building Code Binding Interpretation stating, “The replacement of windows constitutes a modification of the building’s structural system. Accordingly, this work is required to comply with Section 110.8.1 of the Florida Building Code, Building, 8th Edition (2023).” In accordance with this interpretation, window and door projects will require plan review when the building qualifies as a threshold building as defined by FBC, Existing Building – Section 202. Threshold Affidavit #1, Threshold Affidavit #2, and Threshold Affidavit #3 are required to be submitted for plan review and Threshold Affidavit #4 will be required prior to the completion of all final inspections. For more detailed information, please see the BOAF interpretation here. (https://floridabuilding.org/Upload/Binding_Interpretations/Interp_ID_318_Binding%20Interpretation%20318_Final.pdf) The threshold affidavits can be found on our Applications and Forms page located here. (https://www.stpete.org/business/building_permitting/forms_applications.php)
Homeowners needing to file permits for home repairs or improvements can visit the main permitting office at the Municipal Services Center (MSC), located at One 4th St. N. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Before You Visit
Homeowners should bring the following to the MSC:
Photo ID
Floor layout
Summary of storm damage
Photos and/or videos of storm damage – email to floodplain@stpete.org with your address and the storm name in the subject line
Tips for Homeowners
Get required permits before you or your contractor start repair, improvement, or construction on your home
Build back safer and stronger – consider building stronger to withstand future storms
Hire a licensed contractor
Elevate your electrical outlets and HVAC system
If you’re in a flood zone, know what repairs require permits after storm damage and learn about FEMA’s 49% Rule, which may impact your property.
As St. Pete continues to attract and retain more business and residents, the city grows and builds to accommodate them. The Construction Services and Permitting Division works to facilitate the development process, partnering with citizens and customers to ensure their projects meet minimum code standards.
Resources
Building Guides & Checklist
The process for building in St. Pete includes the administration work required to ensure buildings are safe and suitable for the city.
Plan Review
The following checklists and guides assist builders in beginning their construction project plan and list the necessary elements required to make sure the plan is reviewed and approved.
Once the plans are ready to be submitted, complete a building permit application form and any other applicable forms to submit with your plans.
Track the Status of a Plan Review
Click “select permit” on the left navigation menu and enter application #
Click “plan tracking status” and review individual trade review status
Preliminary Plan Review (PPRV) is an optional service. PPRVs are for quick and informative discussions to go over a proposed design on a specific site in order to provide familiarity with a particular project, and address any questions to finalize the design prior to submittal to streamline the review process. The building department is extremely busy at this time and reviewer time is at a premium. PPRVs are for evolved designs only and are contingent on the completion of the following:
All stakeholders must be present at these meetings for effective communication and follow-through
Complete set of drawings (schematic design set acceptable) — drawings must be emailed in pdf format to city staff at least 7 business days in advance of meeting
List of questions/items to be discussed in the meeting — complete list must be emailed in pdf format to city staff at least 7 business days in advance of meeting
Pay the PPRV fee, which gets credited to the permit fee
To schedule a meeting, please email mary.martinelli@stpete.org or permits@stpete.org.
ePlan Review submittal Process
Effective November 1, 2023, all requests for electronic plan review will be handled through the online portal at Building & Permitting and no longer require a preliminary prescreen by staff through email. This change will streamline the submittal process and provide customers with an application number immediately. Fire Alarm and Fire Sprinkler permits should only be submitted online if they are not part of a larger project or under a general contractor permit. If unsure, please email or call us.
Applicants will have ten (10) business days to complete their upload and/or address any comments found during the initial submittal to correct the permit application and electronic submittal. Failure to correct the application within 10 business days will result in a denial of the application and the workflow will be terminated. To reactivate, the applicant will need to contact ePlan review staff.
Checklists specific to each project type are online at Building Permits and include what is required for a successful electronic submittal. User help guides are also accessible at the same link.
Our eplanreview@stpete.org mailbox will still be available for any questions or for those applicants who are new to the process and would like a quick prescreen before submitting online. Our ePlan review helpline will also be available at (727)893-7230 for additional assistance.
ePlan Submittal Checklists
Affordable Housing Expedited Building Plan Review and Permitting Procedure
ATTENTION: The following is for the Multi-family Affordable Housing Program only
Step 1: Complete an application for Expedited Permitting Certification application. Forms can be found at: https://www.stpete.org/residents/housing/documents.php. For more information regarding this form, contact the Housing department team: call 727-893-7589 or email housing@stpete.org
Step 2: Submit complete construction drawings, specifications, and permit application to the Construction Services & Permitting Division. Include the approved Expedited Permitting Certification and the Reduced fee for Affordable Housing Units (if applicable). For more information, email ePlanReview@stpete.org
Step 3: Plans will be reviewed under the following review timeline: 10 days for initial review; 5 days for resubmittal review. If an applicant does not resubmit within 10 days after plan review comments are received, a request for additional time can be requested via an email to AFHpermits@stpete.org.
If a permit is not approved after the 2nd review cycle, a meeting between the applicant’s team and City plan review staff is recommended; if not approved after the 3rd review cycle, staff will schedule a meeting to review and help resolve any remaining design issues
Step 4: Once all plan review trades are approved, a permit is processed and the contractor is notified to make the final payment.
Step 5: Contractor submits a recorded (NOC) Notice of Commencement prior to the first inspection
Our Affordable Housing Liaison will track all Certified Affordable Housing projects and support the applications through the development review process, please email AFHpermits@stpete.org for more information.
Inspections
Click “schedule/cancel insp.” on the left navigation menu and enter permit #
Locate the trade that requires inspection, click “schedule”
Difficulty scheduling an inspection could be due to an unknown license status. Confirm PCCLB contractor license status is up-to-date. Call 727-893-7231 to update a license status. Printable instructions for scheduling inspections.
Certificates
Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is needed for New Construction, change in Single Family Residential, Change of Use, Tenant Build Out where no CO was issued, remodeling condemned buildings, fire damage where occupants were vacated during reconstruction, or combining units. Apply for Certificate of Occupancy once all final inspections have been approved. Research Certificates of Occupancy history for free in the property cards database.
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)
A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) is offered when a new construction project has a delay in the CO schedule that is not part of a life safety trade. Apply for Temporary Certificate of Occupancy when the minimum standard of a Partially Approved Final or approved status on a Partial Final inspection has been met on all major trades.
Certificate of Completion (CC)
A Certificate of Completion (CC) is for any other construction project that does not require a CO and has been completed. A CC is only required for a shell of a building, otherwise, it is optional. Apply for Certificate of Completion once all final inspections have been approved.
Elevation Certificates
Visit the National Flood Insurance Program website for Elevation Certificate and Instructions.
Use the link above to view elevation certificates from the City’s records. A flood elevation certificate is an official FEMA approved document that identifies the elevation (height above sea level), the special flood hazard area, and required base flood elevation (BFE) based on the communities Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) in effect at the time of certification. The city’s records for elevation certificates are available from 1990 through present for new construction, substantial improvement projects and additions located in a flood hazard area. View instructions for viewing elevation certificates. Find more flooding information on the Flooding page.