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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for window or exterior door replacement in Unincorporated St. Johns County?

Permit likely required

Most likely yes. Window or exterior door replacement usually requires a permit in Florida. Confirm the specifics with Unincorporated St. Johns County.

Replacing windows or exterior doors, including garage doors, generally requires a permit in Florida even when the new unit is the same size, because the opening must meet current wind-load requirements. Each product must carry a valid Florida Product Approval, or a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance in High-Velocity Hurricane Zones. A few jurisdictions allow narrow same-size, glass-only exceptions.

Get the checklist for your window or exterior door replacement 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

Like-for-like replacement usually does not waive the permit in Florida. The product approval must match the wind-load rating for your specific address. 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. Replacement units need Florida Product Approval documentation, and whichever office serves your address will want the approval numbers with the application. The county's permit guidance quotes FBC 105.1, which requires a permit to alter, repair, or replace required impact-resistant coverings, and the Renovations and Remodeling Affidavit classifies adding or eliminating any door or window as a Level 2 Alteration. The county's Wind-Borne Debris Region guidance points to the ATC Hazards by Location site to determine the wind design and wind-borne debris criteria for your address, so check it before ordering windows and doors. St. Johns County requires a recorded Notice of Commencement to be filed and submitted to the Building Department before any inspection can be scheduled when the project cost is greater than $2,500.

Documents you may need

  • Permit applicationLikely required
  • Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA for each unitLikely required
  • Window and door layout or opening scheduleSometimes required
  • Notice of commencement (for work over the statutory value)Sometimes required
  • St. Johns County Building Permit ApplicationLikely required
  • Product Approval Specification form for each window and doorLikely required
  • Affidavit for Renovations and RemodelingSometimes required

Possible inspections

  • In-progress fastening and flashing inspection
  • Final inspection
  • Window and door exterior inspection (131)
  • Final inspection (123)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for window or exterior door replacement in Unincorporated St. Johns County?
Most likely yes. Window or exterior door replacement usually requires a permit in Florida. Confirm the specifics with Unincorporated St. Johns County. 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.