Building Permit Survey in St. Johns County
St. Johns County’s Building Services Division requires signed and sealed surveys for most building permits. With 5,200+ annual building permits issued, survey demand in St. Johns County is substantial. Apex Surveying provides boundary, topographic, and combined survey packages optimized for St. Johns County permit submissions.
How do I resolve building permit surveys in St. Johns County?
To resolve building permit surveys in St. Johns County, hire a licensed Florida PSM surveyor to conduct a professional survey documenting property boundaries and legal descriptions. Building permit survey costs in St. Johns County depend on the survey type required by the Building Services Division. Apex Surveying & Mapping serves all 67 Florida counties with same-day quotes.
What Causes Building Permit Surveys in St. Johns County?
Florida's unique conditions create specific challenges for property owners in St. Johns County. Understanding the root causes helps you take the right action.
County building department requires a signed and sealed survey before issuing construction permits
New construction, additions, or structural alterations triggering the Florida Building Code permit requirements
Zoning compliance verification needed to confirm setback distances and lot coverage ratios
Flood zone properties requiring elevation data and freeboard verification for permit approval
Pool, fence, dock, or accessory structure permits requiring property boundary confirmation
Site plan review process mandating topographic and boundary survey data from a licensed PSM
How a Professional Survey Resolves Building Permit Surveys
Apex Surveying's licensed PSM surveyors provide the definitive solution. Every survey is signed, sealed, and legally defensible.
Boundary survey signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed PSM for permit application
Topographic survey with NAVD 88 elevations, contours, and existing conditions for site planning
Combined boundary-topographic survey package optimized for building permit submissions
Elevation certificate for flood zone properties as required by county floodplain administrators
As-built survey after construction for final inspection and certificate of occupancy
Relevant Florida Statutes
- Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) — Permit requirements for construction and alterations
- FAC 5J-17 — Minimum technical standards for surveys submitted to government agencies
- Florida Statute Chapter 472 — Professional Surveyor and Mapper licensing requirements
- NFIP regulations — Elevation certificate requirements in Special Flood Hazard Areas
What Happens Without a Survey
- Permit applications rejected without a current, signed, and sealed survey from a licensed PSM
- Construction delays while waiting for survey completion — typical turnaround is 5-10 business days
- Structures built without permits face code enforcement, fines, and potential demolition orders
- Insurance companies may deny claims for unpermitted construction
- Property sale complications when unpermitted work is discovered during title search
St. Johns County Regulations & Requirements
St. Johns County surveys are processed through the Building Services Division ((904) 827-6800). County survey requirements include: Boundary survey required for new construction building permits; Elevation certificate required in SFHA flood zones; Topographic survey required for site development plans. St. Johns County contains FEMA flood zones AE, VE, X. Moderate flood hazard area — SFHA zones present along waterways and flood-prone areas. St. Johns County has a Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) that requires additional survey verification for coastal properties. Typical residential setbacks in St. Johns County are 25 ft front, 7.5 ft side, and 20 ft rear. Fastest-growing county in Florida; numerous PUDs (Nocatee, Shearwater) with community-specific setbacks. Residential permit fees typically range $800 - $10,000+. High near coast and Intracoastal; moderate inland.
Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL): St. Johns County has a CCCL that requires additional survey verification for properties near the coast. A CCCL survey locates this line relative to your property before permitting.
Get a Free Building Permit Surveys Quote for St. Johns County
Licensed PSM surveyors serving all of St. Johns County. Same-day quotes available.
St. Johns County at a Glance
- Permit Office
- Building Services Division
(904) 827-6800 - FEMA Flood Zones
- AE, VE, X
- Residential Setbacks
- 25' front / 7.5' side / 20' rear
- Terrain
- Coastal with barrier islands, Intracoastal waterway, and interior pine flatwoods
- Primary Survey Challenge
- Fastest-growing Florida county with massive subdivision platting demand; historic St. Augustine complicates downtown boundaries
- Population
- 318,323
- Median Home Value
- $425,000
- CCCL
- Yes — coastal survey required
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a building permit surveys survey cost in St. Johns County?
What do I need from St. Johns County to get this survey?
How does Apex Surveying resolve building permit surveys in St. Johns County?
Related Services in St. Johns County
Other Survey Problems in St. Johns County
About St. Johns County
CivilSmart Engineering
Many Florida counties require PE-stamped drainage plans alongside your survey for building permits. For drainage engineering, we recommend CivilSmart Engineering.
Ready to Resolve Building Permit Surveys in St. Johns County?
Get a free quote from Apex Surveying's licensed PSM surveyors. Same-day quotes available for St. Johns County properties.