ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Port St. Lucie, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Port St. Lucie.
You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling unit such as a garage apartment or casita. It is new construction of a dwelling unit under the Florida Building Code, and nothing on the state's exempt list (gas, mechanical, plumbing only) covers it. Every dwelling unit must also meet the city's minimum gross floor-area rule (Sec. 158.082), and a new unit can trigger city impact fees.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Fee | Beyond the building permit fee, a new dwelling unit may owe city impact fees (Ch. 159 - law enforcement and park/recreation schedules). The code gives no dollar amounts; current fees are on the city site at www.cityofpsl.com. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 150.001 (FBC adopted); FBC 105.2 (no Building exemption); Sec. 158.082 (min. dwelling floor area) |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 (8th ed.), Building, as adopted by Port St. Lucie (Ch. 150, Sec. 150.001) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Port St. Lucie building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Working without a required permit is a code violation; a Code Compliance Officer may issue a citation or notice to appear to the St. Lucie County Court if it is not corrected within the time allowed, generally up to 30 days.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie | — | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| West Palm Beach | 40 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Boynton Beach | 55 mi | Yes | You need a permit to build a garage apartment, casita, or… |
| Melbourne | 60 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Boca Raton | 65 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Deerfield Beach | 69 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Port St. Lucie
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Port St. Lucie?
Beyond the building permit fee, a new dwelling unit may owe city impact fees (Ch. 159 - law enforcement and park/recreation schedules). The code gives no dollar amounts; current fees are on the city site at www.cityofpsl.com.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Port St. Lucie can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.