Martin County Permit Search Guide
Martin County permit search helps homeowners, buyers, real estate agents, contractors and property researchers look up building permit status, permit records, inspection activity, contractor information, permit files and plan documents through the official Accela Citizen Access portal.
Use this guide before you buy, remodel, hire a contractor, apply for a permit, schedule inspection or accept a seller disclosure. It shows the official ACA workflow, when login is required, how to search by record number or address, how to request records, and what to verify before trusting a permit result.
Start here: search the official ACA portal first
Martin County’s official Building Permit Status page says permit status can be checked through Accela Citizen Access, and you do not need a login to search permit records or permit status. The strongest search clues are record number, house number/street name, or contractor/professional name.
Search ACA first by record number if you have it. If not, search by house number and street name. If results are weak, search contractor/professional name, parcel number, property appraiser details, inspection records, forms, records request and city jurisdiction where applicable.
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Use the permit or record number in Accela Citizen Access. Martin County’s payment instructions also say to enter the permit number in the Record Number field when paying fees.
Use the house number and street name. If no result appears, try fewer address words, check spelling, use Property Appraiser parcel details, and search contractor/professional name.
Search ACA by contractor or professional name. Then use Martin County Contractor Licensing and Verification to confirm whether the contractor is authorized to work in Martin County.
Martin County says you must register and have an ACA login to schedule a building inspection. Use the inspection page steps before trying to call or email.
Use the official records request page for blueprints, site plans, surveys, building plans, permit files or other Building Department documents.
Martin County says applying is done through ACA. The Digital Plan Room is integrated with ACA for electronic document review and revised-plan workflow.
Search plan tool
Use this fast plan before opening the official portal.
Use ACA Building General Search. Enter the record number exactly.
Use house number and street name. Try shorter street variants if no result appears.
Search permits, inspections, contractor records, parcel data and request old files if needed.
Check contractor licensing and confirm the permit was pulled before final payment.
Log in to ACA, select Building, then Schedule an Inspection.
Use building records request for blueprints, surveys, site plans and permit files.
Buyer and owner risk checker
Use this before closing, refinancing, insurance review, renovation planning or final payment to a contractor.
Only issued, not closed
A permit record is not enough. Look for final inspection, closed status or completion evidence.
Major work disclosed
Roof, HVAC, windows, water heater, addition, deck, pool, dock, electrical and plumbing need deeper checking.
Contractor mismatch
Compare contractor name, license, permit record and invoice before relying on a seller statement.
File not online
Request building records or permit files if the online record lacks plans, surveys or final details.
Search Martin County building permits in ACA
Martin County’s official status page says you can search permit status without login. From the ACA homepage, select Advanced Search, then Search Records / Applications, then Building.
Open Building Permit Status
Start from the county status page so you understand the official workflow before using the portal.
Use record number, address or contractor/professional name
Martin County says you need the record number, house number/street name, or contractor/professional name to search permit status.
No result can mean address formatting, wrong department module, old paper records, city jurisdiction, contractor name mismatch, parcel mismatch or a permit file that needs a formal records request.
Read permit status correctly
A permit search is useful only if you understand the status. For property due diligence, do not stop at “application found” or “permit issued.” Check inspections, fees, documents and whether the permit is finaled or closed.
Not approval
An application or draft does not prove work was approved.
Work may proceed
Issued permits still need required inspections and final completion.
Best signal
Final or closed status is normally the strongest buyer due-diligence signal.
Office review
Old open or expired records may need Building Department guidance.
Schedule or check Martin County building inspections
Martin County says you must register and have an ACA login to schedule a building inspection. Inside ACA, click Building, then Schedule an Inspection, locate the record, choose the inspection and finish the request.
Log in to ACA
Inspection scheduling needs an Accela Citizen Access login.
Use the record list or General Search
Martin County says to locate the record in your Records list or search by record number under General Search, then schedule the pending inspection or request an inspection type.
Martin County offers VuSpex virtual inspections for Air Conditioning, Garage Door, Water Heater, and Windows and Doors permits. Contractors and owner-builders need a smartphone with a good camera and signal.
Apply for a Martin County building permit
Martin County says building permit applications are handled through the Accela Citizen Access portal. You must create a new account or log in, then complete the permit application information.
Open ACA
Access the official Accela Citizen Access portal from Martin County.
Create account
Register for a free account or log in if you already have one.
Fill application
Enter permit type, job address, owner/contractor data, valuation and required details.
Use Digital Plan Room
Digital Plan Room is integrated with ACA for electronic document review and revisions.
Pay Martin County permit fees online
Martin County says building or fire permits may be paid online through ACA. For permit payment, enter the permit number in the Record Number field, click Search, choose Fees, then Pay Fees.
Open the official payment page
Start from Martin County Pay for a Permit so you choose the correct building or fire payment route.
Search by permit number
Enter the permit number in ACA’s Record Number field, click Search, open Fees, then use Pay Fees.
Forms, applications and checklists
Martin County provides Building Department forms such as permit applications, permit research forms and Notice of Commencement. It also publishes permit checklists for specific projects like HVAC, additions, aluminum roof, awning, backflow, boatlift, carport, change of contractor and more.
Download permit forms only from the official Martin County website. Do not submit owner documents, plans, IDs, contractor records or payment information to an independent guide page.
Request Martin County building records, blueprints, surveys or permit files
If the online permit record does not include the full document you need, use Martin County’s official records request route. The county says copies can include blueprints, site plans, surveys, building plans, permit files and other Building Department records.
Open the records request page
Use the official request page for blueprints, surveys, site plans or permit files.
Ask for the specific file
Include property address, record number, owner name, document type and why you need it. Email copies may have no charge, while disks or paper copies may have fees.
Contractor licensing and permit verification
Martin County’s contractor licensing page says the Licensing Division enforces contractor compliance under Florida statutes and county regulation, and all Martin County contractors must be licensed and insured. The page also warns not to make final payment until the permit is closed.
Use contractor search
Confirm the contractor is authorized to work in Martin County.
Permit pulled?
Make sure required permits are actually pulled for regulated work.
Payment risk
Martin County advises not to pay cash or write checks to individuals.
Wait for closure
Do not make final payment until the permit is closed.
Do I need a building permit in Martin County?
Martin County explains that permits are generally required when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change occupancy of a building or structure, or work on regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems.
Martin County says qualifying owner-builders must appear in person at the Building Department at 900 SE Ruhnke Street to sign the Building Permit Application and Owner/Builder Disclosure. Afterward, other transactions can be completed electronically.
Buyer due-diligence checklist
Before closing or accepting a seller disclosure, use this checklist to reduce permit-record risk.
County, city or another local jurisdiction?
A property may have a Martin County mailing address but still involve a city or town building department for certain permits. For due diligence, check property-appraiser location details and confirm whether county or municipal records apply.
Check property and parcel details
Use property owner, parcel, legal description and address details before searching or requesting files.
Search municipal portals when needed
If the property lies inside a city or town jurisdiction, repeat permit research through that municipality’s building department or portal.
Martin County Building Department contact and map
Use these official contact details for building permit questions, permit requirement questions, inspections, contractor licensing, code enforcement and records direction.
772-288-5916
900 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart, FL 34994
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
772-288-5489
772-288-5482
772-288-5505
Official Martin County permit links
Use these official resources for final action. This guide explains the workflow, but the official county system controls permit applications, inspections, fees, records, contractor verification and status decisions.
Important notice
CountyPermitSearch.org is an independent guide, not the official Martin County, Florida website.
Only Martin County Building Department, plan reviewers, inspectors, contractor licensing staff, Code Enforcement, a city building department or another official agency can confirm whether a permit is required, valid, complete, finaled, closed or legally sufficient.
Do not submit applications, fees, blueprints, surveys, IDs, owner-builder documents, contractor documents, Notice of Commencement forms or private-provider files to an independent guide page. Use official Martin County systems only.
Martin County permit search FAQs
How do I search Martin County FL permits online?
Use Martin County’s official Accela Citizen Access portal. From the homepage, select Advanced Search, then Search Records / Applications, then Building. Search by record number, house number/street name or contractor/professional name.
Do I need a login to search Martin County permit status?
No. Martin County says you do not need a login to search permits or permit status. You do need an ACA login for applying and scheduling inspections.
What is Martin County’s official permit system?
The official online permit system is Accela Citizen Access, also called ACA.
Can I search Martin County permits by address?
Yes. Martin County says permit status can be searched using house number and street name. Use Advanced Search, Search Records / Applications, then Building.
Can I search by contractor or professional name?
Yes. Martin County says contractor/professional name is one of the search clues for permit status. Also use Contractor Licensing and Verification to confirm contractor authority.
How do I schedule a Martin County building inspection?
Log in to ACA, click Building, then Schedule an Inspection. Locate the record and schedule a pending inspection or choose an available inspection type.
Does Martin County offer virtual inspections?
Yes. Martin County offers VuSpex virtual inspections for Air Conditioning, Garage Door, Water Heater, and Windows and Doors permits, subject to current county requirements.
How do I pay Martin County permit fees?
Use the Pay for a Permit page. Inside ACA, enter the permit number in the Record Number field, click Search, open Fees, then choose Pay Fees.
Where can I find Martin County building permit forms?
Use Martin County’s Building Permit Forms and Applications page for permit applications, permit research forms, Notice of Commencement and other Building Department forms.
How do I request Martin County blueprints or permit files?
Use the Request Copies of Building Plans, Blueprints, Surveys, and/or Permit Records page. Martin County says requests can include blueprints, site plans, surveys, building plans, permit files or other Building Department documents.
What is the Martin County Building Department phone number?
The Building Department phone number is 772-288-5916.
Where is the Martin County Building Department?
The Building Department is located at 900 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart, FL 34994.
How do I know if I need a permit?
Use Martin County’s Do I Need a Building Permit page. It explains that permits are generally needed for construction, alteration, repair, demolition, occupancy changes and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work.
What should buyers check in Martin County permit records?
Buyers should check ACA records by address and record number, contractor records, inspection status, closed/final status, open or expired permits, permit files, surveys, site plans and municipal jurisdiction when relevant.
Is CountyPermitSearch.org the official Martin County website?
No. CountyPermitSearch.org is an independent guide. Official permit searches, applications, inspections, payments, records requests and approvals must be completed through Martin County and its official systems.