Bolthole Index

Martin County, Florida

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Stuart, Florida

Stuart, Florida requires building permits for covered construction, and the city Building Division handles applications and inspections.12 Stuart sets zoning inside city limits; septic permitting and inspection remain with the Florida Department of Health in Martin County.34 For a property in Martin County, confirm the city boundary before choosing a building-permit office.2

At a glance

Building permits
City Building Division handles covered construction12
Zoning
Stuart zoning applies inside city limits3
Septic permits
Martin County health department; DEP implements state rules4
R-1 lot size
7,500 square feet and 75 feet wide, subject to existing-parcel and CRA exceptions5
R-1 setbacks
Front 25 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 15 feet; CRA standards differ6
RV living
Private-lot occupancy unconfirmed; flood-hazard placement rule is limited7
Owner-builder
Conditional state exemption; building permits still required8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Stuart Building Division

City building permit applications, plan review and building inspections

772-288-5326

121 SW Flagler Avenue Stuart FL 34994

Online permits →

Zoning

City of Stuart Development Department

City development regulations, zoning and land use changes

772-288-5300

121 SW Flagler Avenue Stuart FL 34994

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Martin County – Stuart Office

Environmental health and onsite sewage treatment and disposal services

772-221-4000

[email protected]

3441 SE Willoughby Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994

Building permits

City of Stuart Online Permit Applications

Online building permit applications and existing-permit account assistance

[email protected]

Online permits →

Building permits

City of Stuart Building Department – Exemption Approval

Approval requests for qualifying building permit exemptions

(772) 288-5326

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Stuart means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Stuart, FL?

Stuart construction is subject to Florida’s building-permit requirement before covered construction, alteration, repair or demolition, unless an applicable legal exception applies.1 The Stuart Building Division receives applications for homes, offices and fences, reviews construction plans against the Florida Building Code and other ordinances, and conducts field inspections against approved plans.2

For qualifying exempt work, Stuart still requires exemption approval from the Building Department before work proceeds.9 Ask the city Building Division to classify your proposed work before ordering materials or beginning construction.2

Who handles building permits and zoning in Stuart?

The City of Stuart Building Division is the building-permit and inspection contact for work inside Stuart city limits.2 Reach the Building Division at 772-288-5326 or at 121 SW Flagler Avenue Stuart FL 34994.2 Stuart offers online building permit applications through its OpenGov portal.10

Stuart’s Development Department administers city development regulations and handles zoning and land use changes.11 Septic permitting and inspection inside Stuart stay with the Martin County health department, rather than moving to the city building counter.4 For land outside Stuart, use the Martin County guide for the county’s building-permit and zoning answers.1213

Does Stuart have zoning, and what are the lot sizes and setbacks?

Stuart has zoning that establishes allowed uses and measurable development standards, including lot size, setbacks, density and building height.3 In Stuart’s R-1 district, the listed minimum parcel area is 7,500 square feet and minimum width is 75 feet; the CRA has separate standards, and existing buildable parcels recognized as of September 4, 2024 are exempt from the minimum parcel-size requirement.5 Newly created R-1A parcels must meet the listed 10,000-square-foot area and 100-foot width requirements, subject to the existing-parcel exception.14

Stuart’s R-1 setbacks are 25 feet front, 7.5 feet side and 15 feet rear, with separate CRA standards.6 The R-1 table limits impervious surface coverage to 50%, rather than describing that figure as building coverage.15 R-1 building height is limited to 35 feet and 3 stories, with separate CRA standards.16 Ask the Development Department to identify the parcel’s district and applicable standards before designing a home.11

How do septic permits work inside Stuart?

Septic systems inside Stuart are regulated under Florida DEP’s onsite sewage program, while the Martin County health department continues permitting and inspection.4 Florida requires a septic permit application for construction, installation, modification, abandonment or repair of an onsite sewage system, with a site evaluation and required application materials.17

The health department’s Stuart office lists onsite sewage treatment and disposal services at 3441 SE Willoughby Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994; its phone is 772-221-4000.18 For Stuart manufactured/mobile-home/RV developments, city sewer connection is required where available; otherwise compliant septic may be used.19 That development-specific provision is not a general authorization for off-grid sanitation on every residential lot.19

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Stuart?

We could not confirm permission to live in an RV on a private residential lot in Stuart; ask the city Development Department about the proposed use and zoning district.11 Stuart’s temporary-placement rule for RVs and park trailers in flood hazard areas requires fewer than 180 consecutive days on site or the fully licensed, highway-ready alternative.7 Highway-ready means wheels or a jacking system, quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and no permanent additions, rooms, stairs, decks or porches.7

The Stuart flood-hazard placement provision does not establish general residential occupancy permission.7 We also could not confirm Stuart’s minimum dwelling size or an accessory-dwelling approval route; ask the Development Department about zoning and the Building Division about the proposed home’s construction.112

Building a home in Stuart: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Ask Stuart’s Development Department to identify the zoning district, allowed use and applicable development standards for the parcel.311
  2. Resolve sewage disposal with the Martin County health department if the project needs septic; Florida’s septic application process includes a site evaluation.417
  3. Discuss construction plans and the building-permit application with the Stuart Building Division, then use the city’s online application portal.210
  4. If acting as an owner-builder, confirm eligibility and signing requirements with the city: Florida’s exemption requires own use and occupancy, direct onsite supervision of work not performed by licensed contractors, and personal signing of the application.8
  5. Obtain the required building permit before covered work and coordinate field inspections with the city Building Division.12

The owner-builder exemption does not remove building-permit or code-compliance obligations.8

Watch-outs

  • Stuart requires Building Department exemption approval before qualifying exempt work proceeds.9
  • Stuart no longer accepts Certificates of Competency as contractor licensure, effective July 1, 2025.2
  • Stuart’s temporary RV flood-hazard placement rule does not establish permission for residential occupancy on a private lot.7
  • Ask Stuart’s Development Department about driveway access and accessory dwellings; we could not confirm the city-specific approval requirements.11

Sources

  1. F.S. 553.79 — Permits; applications; issuance; inspections (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Stuart Building Division (stuartfl.gov)
  3. Chapter II - Zoning Districts Uses Allowed, Density, Intensity (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Systems - Florida Department of Health in Martin County (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  5. library.municode.com (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  6. library.municode.com (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 5.07.10.E.1 - Temporary placement (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  8. 2026 Florida Statutes § 489.103, Exemptions (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Stuart Building Department – Exemption Approval (stuartfl.gov)
  10. City of Stuart Online Permit Applications (stuartfl.gov)
  11. City of Stuart Development Department (stuartfl.gov)
  12. Do I Need a Building Permit? (2026 county census)
  13. Growth Management Department FAQs (2026 county census)
  14. library.municode.com (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  15. library.municode.com (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  16. library.municode.com (Stuart), quoted and re-checked
  17. OSTDS Application Information (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Florida Department of Health in Martin County – Stuart Office (martin.floridahealth.gov)
  19. Section 2.06.02 - Manufactured/mobile home/recreational vehicle developments (Stuart), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Stuart

Stuart’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Stuart city limits.

    “The purpose of this chapter is to: (a) Identify the implementing zoning districts for the future land use categories contained in the city's comprehensive plan; (b) Establish development approval processes for specific uses; and (c) Identify measurable development standards (e.g. building height, setback, lot size, density).”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Manufactured/mobile-home/recreational-vehicle developments inside Stuart city limits.

    • Waste and garbage collection/removal must be safe and adequate.
    • Connection to the city sewer is required where available; otherwise a septic tank may be used if compliant with city or state requirements.
    “Each manufactured/mobile home/recreational vehicle development shall be provided with safe and adequate means for the collection and removal of waste and garbage, and shall be either connected to the city sewer system, where such is available, or to a septic tank, all of which shall comply fully with all laws, ordinances or regulations prescribed by the city or the state.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Temporary recreational-vehicle and park-trailer placement in flood hazard areas inside Stuart city limits.

    • The cited provision is limited to temporary RV and park-trailer placement; it does not establish the complete floodplain development-permit process.

    temporary placement duration: < 180 consecutive days (Fully licensed and highway-ready alternative.)

    “Recreational vehicles and park trailers placed temporarily in flood hazard areas shall: (1) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; or (2) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use, which means the recreational vehicle or park model is on wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanent attachments such as additions, rooms, stairs, decks and porches.”

Rules another office applies inside Stuart

Stuart does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district inside Stuart city limits.

    • The dimensional table does not apply to the CRA except for the noted footnotes; the CRA has separate development standards.
    • Existing buildable parcels recognized by Stuart as of September 4, 2024, are exempt from the minimum parcel-size requirement; later-created parcels and subdivisions must comply.

    minimum parcel area: >= 7500 square feet · minimum parcel width: >= 75 feet

    “Minimum parcel width (feet) | 100' | 75' | 50' | 75'* | 50' | 75'* | 100' | 100' | 100'”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1A single-family residential district inside Stuart city limits.
      “Minimum parcel area (sq. feet) | 10,000 | 7,500 | 5,000—6,000*** | 7,500 | 4,356—6,000*** | 7,500 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district inside Stuart city limits.

    • The CRA is governed by separate development standards except for the noted footnotes.

    front setback: >= 25 feet · side setback: >= 7.5 feet · rear setback: >= 15 feet

    “Minimum side | 10' | 7.5' | 5' for one and two story 7.5' for three story | 10'** | 5' for one and two story 8' for three story | 10'** | 15'** | 15' | 25'”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district inside Stuart city limits.

    • The table regulates maximum impervious surface coverage, not a separately named building-coverage percentage.

    maximum impervious surface coverage: <= 50 percent

    “Maximum Impervious Surface Coverage | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 40% | 40% | 40%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district inside Stuart city limits.

    • The CRA is governed by separate development standards except for the noted footnotes.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet · maximum number of stories: <= 3 stories

    “Maximum Building Height | 35' | 35' | 35' | 35' | 35' | 35' | 35' | 45' | 45'”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Septic systems inside Stuart city limits.

    • Florida DEP implements the applicable OSTDS statutes and regulations.
    • The Martin County health department continues septic permitting and inspection.
    “Effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS. Under Florida’s Clean Waterways Act of 2020, the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks; please continue to work with them for all of your permitting-related needs.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Stuart or Martin County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Stuart city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption potentially applicable inside Stuart city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption applicable inside Stuart city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Stuart city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Stuart city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Stuart publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Martin County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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