St. Pete Standard

In response to the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the City of St. Petersburg has been actively working to process permits and assist homeowners with compliance regarding the 49% Rule. The city has managed a significant number of permit requests due to storm damage.

The permitting office reports that in September, 6,573 inspections were completed and 1,863 permits were approved or processed. In October, there were 6,354 inspections with 2,936 permits addressed. As of November, there have been 6,318 inspections and 2,868 permits handled.

To accommodate more customers who wish to submit plans in person, the city has temporarily extended its operating hours on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. to 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., now running Monday through Friday during these hours until further notice. The office is located at the Municipal Services Center at One 4th St. N.

The city cautions those filing permits about potential extended wait times due to the high volume but assures that staff are working diligently to manage this load efficiently. Visitors are advised to arrive early and ensure they have necessary documentation such as photo ID, floor layout, storm damage summary, and photos or videos which can be emailed with specific details.

Homeowners are reminded of several key points in the permitting process: securing required permits before beginning repairs or construction; considering stronger building methods for future resilience; hiring licensed contractors; elevating electrical outlets and HVAC systems; and understanding repair requirements in flood zones related to FEMA's 49% Rule.

Further details on the permitting process are available at stpete.org/permitting or by contacting StormRecoveryPermits@stpete.org or calling 727-893-7231. Recovery efforts information for Hurricanes Helene and Milton can be accessed at stpete.org/recovery.