St. Johns County Permit Search Guide
St. Johns County permit search helps homeowners, buyers, agents, contractors, lenders and insurance teams check building permits, inspection history, holds, releases, certificate of occupancy status, contractor records, open permits and public-records requests.
The smart workflow is not only “search one address.” Use the official permit status tool, Property Appraiser parcel data, inspection records, contractor search, Clerk official records and city permit portals where the property is inside a municipality.
Start here before using St. Johns County permit search
St. Johns County’s online tools are useful for building permit status, inspection history, holds, releases, certificate of occupancy status and permits issued. For a clean result, search the county system first, then confirm parcel and ownership through the Property Appraiser, and check city permit portals if the property is not under county jurisdiction.
Use permit number when you have it. If not, use address and parcel details. Then review status, inspection history, holds, releases and certificate of occupancy status. If the permit is old, missing, unclear or needed for closing, use the Permit Center public-records request process.
Search permit status
Use official county tools for inspection history, holds, releases, CO status and permits issued.
Confirm parcel ID
The county says you need the Parcel ID from the Property Appraiser to begin permit process.
Read inspections
Check whether inspections were scheduled, passed, disapproved, corrected or finaled.
Check city portals
City of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach have separate permit resources.
St. Johns permit route finder
Use this no-JavaScript tool to choose the correct official search path. It works in WordPress using HTML and CSS only.
Tap one option below. The recommendation changes instantly without any script.
Use this when you have a permit number from a permit card, inspection report, contractor document, insurance file, title request or seller disclosure. Open the permit status/search tool and review permit type, status, inspections, holds and CO information.
Use the Property Appraiser to confirm parcel, ownership, maps and property record details. Then use the official permit search/status tool. This is especially useful when address formatting is not matching.
The county’s online status tools can check inspection history, holds, releases, certificate of occupancy status and permits issued. For phone inspection scheduling/status, the county lists 904-827-6842 and says you need the permit number.
The Building Department page includes Contractor Search, and the Building Permits page advises verifying a person is properly licensed and insured before hiring. Use official contractor tools before trusting a contractor claim.
Use this for old records, job copies, building permit plans, permit packages, code enforcement, contractor licensing or Growth Management records. The county lists publicrecordsbldg@sjcfl.us and Permit Center Records phone 904-827-6822.
If the property is inside City of St. Augustine or St. Augustine Beach, use city permit resources too. City permits can be separate from county permit search.
Search plan tool
Use this quick plan before searching. It reduces missed records and wrong-property matches.
Start with permit status/search. Permit number is strongest for exact inspection and status results.
Use Property Appraiser to confirm parcel and address, then search permit status.
Check inspection history, holds, releases and CO status through official online tools.
Check permit search, public records, Property Appraiser, Clerk official records and city jurisdiction.
Use Contractor Search and verify licensing/insurance before relying on work claims.
Try city portals, parcel ID, records request, old permit files and official records research.
Buyer risk checker
Use this before closing, refinancing, insurance underwriting, remodel planning or accepting a seller’s permit disclosure.
Permit has holds
Holds or releases can affect final approval, closing timelines and remodel planning.
No final / CO status
Issued permit is not the same as finaled permit or certificate of occupancy status.
Major work disclosed
Roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pool, additions, docks and remodels need deeper review.
City portal possible
St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach permit records may be outside county-only searches.
For real estate decisions, ask the official building department or city building office to confirm open, expired, finaled, closed, held or released permit status. Do not rely only on a search-results page.
Search by permit number
Permit number search is the best path when you have a permit card, inspection report, contractor email, seller disclosure, insurance request, public-records response or closing file.
Open the official permit search
Start with the county permit status/search tool. Review permit type, status, inspection history, holds, releases and certificate of occupancy information where available.
Compare with application and forms
If the permit type or record looks unclear, use Building Application & Forms and public-records request options. The forms page includes Open Permit Search Request and Building Department contact details.
Search by address, parcel or owner
Address search can fail when formatting is different. Use the Property Appraiser to confirm the correct parcel and property identity before searching or requesting records.
Use Property Appraiser data first
The St. Johns County Property Appraiser provides property records and maps. The county Building Permits page says a Parcel ID from the Property Appraiser is needed to begin the permit process.
Match parcel to permit record
Compare property owner, parcel ID, maps, service address, permit description and contractor details. This prevents wrong-property matches in subdivisions, corner lots, condos, coastal parcels and older records.
Check inspection history, holds, releases and certificate of occupancy status
For buyers and remodelers, inspection status is often more important than the fact that a permit exists. An issued permit can still have missing inspections or unresolved conditions.
Use Online Permitting & Status
The county says its online tools can check inspection history, holds, releases, certificate of occupancy status and permits issued. Also check plan review logs and permit activity reports when relevant.
Use phone inspection route when needed
The Building Inspections page lists 904-827-6842 for inspection scheduling, canceling, status and results by touch-tone phone. It says you need your permit number for this service.
Before re-scheduling a disapproved inspection, the county says to make required corrections and have the correction list on site to avoid a service fee.
Verify contractor and licensing clues
Contractor verification matters when sellers, roofers, remodelers or subcontractors claim work was properly permitted and inspected.
Contractor Search
The Building Department online tools include Contractor Search to verify contractor status in county systems.
Permit scope
Compare contractor name, permit type, permit description and inspection record to the actual work.
Licensed and insured
The Building Permits page advises contacting the Building Department division to verify a person is properly licensed and insured.
If a contractor says “no permit needed” for roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, pool, dock or remodel work, verify with the Building Department or city building office before work begins.
Permit Center public records requests
If the online search does not give enough detail, use the Permit Center public-records process for building, contractor licensing, code enforcement, development review, environmental, planning and related records.
Email or mail the official request
The county lists the public-records email as publicrecordsbldg@sjcfl.us. Mail requests can be sent to Records Management Team, The Permit Center-Building Department & Growth Management, 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084-8637.
Provide project details
The county says project name, address and parcel number may be required for online requests. Provide as much information as possible and say if you need job copies, building permit plans or a permit package.
Search Clerk official records too
The Clerk provides online research tools including Official Records, court records, tax deeds and board records. Use Clerk official records for deeds, mortgages, recorded notices and property-record context.
St. Johns County or city building department?
This is critical. County permit search may not show every municipal permit. If the property is inside a city, use city permit resources in addition to county tools.
Check city jurisdiction first
Use the Property Appraiser, maps, address, city limits and official property data to confirm whether the parcel is under St. Johns County or a city building department.
City of St. Augustine
The City of St. Augustine has its own Permit Portal. The city says civil plan review applications must be submitted through the city portal and that the portal provides real-time status updates.
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach says permits issued after April 15, 2019 may be viewed through guest access and the Permit Info button in its construction permit self-service route.
Important notice
CountyPermitSearch.org is an independent guide, not the official St. Johns County, Florida website.
Only St. Johns County Building Department, the correct city building department, an inspector, plan reviewer, records custodian, contractor licensing staff or code office can confirm whether a permit is required, approved, finaled, closed, released or complete.
Do not submit applications, payments, plans, IDs, owner documents, contractor documents or private records to this independent guide page. Use official government portals only.
Official St. Johns County permit search links
Use these official links when you are ready to search, verify, inspect, request records or confirm city jurisdiction.
St. Johns County permit search FAQs
How do I search St. Johns County permits online?
Use the official St. Johns County permit search or Online Permitting & Status page. County online tools can check inspection history, holds, releases, certificate of occupancy status and permits issued.
Can I search St. Johns County permits by permit number?
Yes. Use the official permit search/status tool when you have a permit number from a permit card, inspection record, contractor document, insurance request or closing file.
Can I search by address or parcel?
Yes, but if address matching is weak, use the St. Johns County Property Appraiser to confirm parcel ID, property records and maps before searching again.
Why does St. Johns County permit search show no result?
No result can mean the address format is different, the permit is old, the work belongs to a city building department, the permit number is incomplete, or a public-records request is needed.
How do I check inspection status?
Use the Permit Status / Inspection tool online, or call 904-827-6842 from a touch-tone phone. The county says you need your permit number for inspection scheduling, canceling, status and results.
What is the St. Johns County Building Department phone number?
The Building Department contact listed on county building pages is 904-827-6800. Permit Center Records lists 904-827-6822 for records requests.
How do I request permit records?
Use the Permit Center Public Records Request page. Email publicrecordsbldg@sjcfl.us or mail a request to Records Management Team, The Permit Center-Building Department & Growth Management, 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084-8637.
Does county search include City of St. Augustine permits?
Not always. City of St. Augustine has a separate Permit Portal. If the property is inside city limits, search the city portal in addition to county tools.
Does county search include St. Augustine Beach permits?
Not always. St. Augustine Beach has its own building page and permit self-service access for records issued after April 15, 2019.
How do I verify a contractor?
Use the county Building Department online Contractor Search. The Building Permits page also advises contacting the Building Department division to verify that a person performing work is properly licensed and insured.
What should buyers check?
Buyers should check permit status, inspection history, holds, releases, certificate of occupancy status, public-records requests, Property Appraiser parcel data, Clerk official records and city-vs-county jurisdiction.
Is CountyPermitSearch.org official?
No. This is an independent guide. Official permit decisions, inspections, applications, fees, plan review, contractor licensing and records confirmations must be handled through St. Johns County or the correct city building department.