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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated St. Johns County?

Permit required

Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated St. Johns County is no exception.

Florida has no statewide small-shed exemption. The widely repeated rule that a shed under 120 square feet needs no permit comes from the model International Codes, and Florida did not adopt it: section 105.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building exempts only specified gas, mechanical and plumbing work, with no category exempting detached accessory structures. Where a size threshold exists it is a local ordinance, and it genuinely differs, so ask your building department for the line that applies at your address. Any shed with electricity, plumbing or a permanent foundation needs a permit regardless of size, and zoning setbacks, flood zone rules and wind anchoring apply even when no building permit is required.

Get the checklist for your shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated St. Johns County. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Local detail for Unincorporated St. Johns County: Covers all unincorporated communities including Ponte Vedra, Fruit Cove, World Golf Village, Vilano Beach, Crescent Beach, and Hastings.

Florida and local notes for Unincorporated St. Johns County

St. Johns County's own permitting office is the St. Johns County Building Department, reachable on (904) 827-6800 at https://www.sjcfl.us/departments/building-department/. Its online permit portal is https://webapp.sjcfl.us/WATSWebX/Permit/SearchPermit.aspx. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Florida municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed. Under Land Development Code Sec. 2.02.04.B.4, all private garages and storage buildings in residential districts require a building permit, and they must be accessory in size to the house with an eave height no greater than the house. Under Sec. 2.02.04.A.3, accessory structures may not sit in required front or side yards. A detached structure at least 10 feet from the house may sit in a required side or rear yard, but no closer than 3 feet to any lot line. No accessory building may be placed on a lot before a development permit is issued for the main building on that lot. Unincorporated St. Johns County addresses are permitted by the St. Johns County Building Department at the Permit Center, 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine (904-827-6800). Addresses inside the City of St. Augustine are permitted by the city's Planning and Building Department, not the county.

Documents you may need

  • Permit applicationLikely required
  • Site plan showing setbacksLikely required
  • Structure dimensions or manufacturer drawingsSometimes required
  • Anchoring or tie-down detailsSometimes required
  • Permit or zoning applicationLikely required
  • Site plan showing setbacks and distance to lot linesLikely required
  • Anchoring or tie-down details for wind loadSometimes required
  • Clearance Sheet with approved site planLikely required
  • St. Johns County Building Permit ApplicationLikely required
  • Building plans and Product Approval Specification formLikely required
  • Notice of Commencement when the project exceeds $2,500Sometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Foundation or slab inspection
  • Framing and anchoring inspection
  • Final inspection
  • Foundation or footing inspection (101)
  • Final inspection (123)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Unincorporated St. Johns County?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated St. Johns County is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Unincorporated St. Johns County?
The local building department for Unincorporated St. Johns County handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.