Building Permits

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ATTENTION: All requests for electronic review (ePlan Review) are now handled through the eplanreview@stpete.org mailbox. Click here for more information.

Building in St. Pete

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.

Online Permits & Status

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 is an optional service for design professionals to discuss a project before plans are submitted for review offered at a nominal fee. Contact Lisa Butler at 727-893-4120 or email lisa.butler@stpete.org for more information.

ePlan Review submittal Process

Starting October 1, all requests for electronic review (ePlan Review) will be handled through the eplanreview@stpete.org mailbox.

A checklist specific to project type will be provided, including personalized overview of the checklist, required plans, and documents. This will allow the plans to be routed to plan review the same day the permit number is assigned. Customers will no longer need to fill out the electronic request online.

Once all required plans and documents are verified, a permit number and upload link will be created and sent to applicant. All plans and documents will need to be uploaded at this time or the permit number will be voided.

This update also allows verification of drawing file format, electronic signatures, seals, and third-party verifications, and confirmations that plans are routed for review.

ePlan Submittal Checklists

Affordable Housing Expedited Building Plan Review and Permitting Procedure

  • 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 727-551-3460 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 ePlan@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

Schedule an Inspection

  • 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.

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.

Elevation Certificate Search

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.