Artificial Turf in St. Johns County
From Ponte Vedra to St. Augustine, two questions come first: does your lot have an HOA or a CDD, and does the county want a permit?
Around Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee and St. Augustine
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County building permits
St. Johns County's Building Department reviews applications for building permits. To start, you need the property's Parcel ID, and the county usually issues a Clearance Sheet first.
The county's permit page does not mention turf or landscaping. It says permits are required for most improvements and the owner has to determine whether one is needed. Ask Building Services at (904) 827-6800 whether your turf job needs a permit.
For permitted projects over $5,000, a recorded Notice of Commencement is required before the first inspection.
Associations and community development districts
If your lot is in a planned community, the association matters first. Unless another law or a local ordinance says otherwise, Florida law bars an HOA from restricting turf that cannot be seen from the street, an adjacent lot, a common area or a community golf course. A front yard can still be restricted by the association.
A community development district is a separate case. The state turf law does not limit a CDD that is enforcing deed restrictions. Ask which one covers your lot.
Waterfront and marsh lots
Many lots near the Intracoastal and the tidal creeks back up to water. Where no local buffer exists, the state standard keeps turf at least 10 feet from the water line, unless a seawall or bulkhead stands in between. Check where your property line meets the water before you plan the layout.
St. Augustine addresses
Ask which building office covers your address: the county or a city. The state standard applies in either case, and each office decides whether turf needs a permit.
Questions to ask
- Is my lot in an HOA or a CDD, and are my covenants strict about front yards?
- Does the county ask for a permit for this job?
- How far is the turf from the water, a pond or a swale?
- Where is my septic tank, if there is one?
St. Johns County questions
Does St. Johns County require a permit for turf?
The county's permit page does not say. Call Building Services at (904) 827-6800 with your address and the size of the job.
Who verifies the installer?
The county says contractors must be licensed and registered with it to get a permit or do construction work, and its Building Services line at (904) 827-6820 can verify. Ask whether that applies to your turf job.
Ready when you are
Call now, or send the form. A local pro calls you back, usually the same business day.
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.