A.

Adopted. The Florida Building Code, as described in F.S. Ch. 553.70, and as published by the State of Florida, Department of Community Affairs and the Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code, 1997 edition, promulgated by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., are hereby adopted by reference as the Building Code of the County, to apply to the unincorporated areas of the County. A copy of such Code shall be filed in the Planning and Development Services Department and shall be available for public inspection during the regular business hours of such office.

B.

Local Amendments to the Florida Building Code. The County hereby adopts by reference the St. Lucie County Administrative Amendments to Chapter 1, "Administration" of the Building Volume; and Appendix Q, "Tiny Houses" of the Residential Volume of the 2023 Florida Building Code (8th Edition) which are on file in the Planning and Development Services Department.

(Ord. No. 2024-038, Pt. A, 12-3-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2024-038, Pt. A, adopted Dec. 3, 2024, repealed the former § 13.00.01, and enacted a new § 13.00.01 as set out herein. The former § 13.00.01 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from the 2009 Code.

A.

Title. The provisions contained herein shall constitute the Coastal Construction Code for construction within the coastal building zone and coastal barrier islands in St. Lucie County, Florida, and shall be referred to as the "Coastal Code."

B.

Purpose. The purpose of the Coastal Code is to provide minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and structures to reduce the harmful effects of hurricanes and other severe storms occurring along the coastal areas of St. Lucie County, Florida, which front on the Atlantic Ocean. These standards are intended to specifically address design features which affect the structural stability of the beach, dunes, and topography of adjacent properties. The Coastal Code is site-specific to the coastal building zone as defined in this Code and is not applicable to other locations. In the event of a conflict between this Section and other chapters in the Code, the requirements resulting in more restrictive design shall apply. No provisions in this Section shall be construed to permit any construction in any area prohibited by local city, county, state or federal regulation.

C.

Scope.

1.

Applicability: The requirements of this Coastal Code shall apply to the following types of construction in the coastal building zone, as defined in Chapter 2 of this Code, and on coastal barrier islands in unincorporated St. Lucie County:

a.

The new construction of, or substantial improvement to major structures, nonhabitable major structures, and minor structures as defined in this Code.

b.

Construction which would change or otherwise have the potential for substantial impact on coastal zones (i.e. excavation, grading, paving).

c.

Construction located partially within the coastal building zone.

d.

Reconstruction, redevelopment or repair of a damaged structure from any cause which meets the definition of "substantial improvement," as defined herein.

2.

Exceptions: The requirements of the Coastal Code shall not apply to the following:

a.

Minor work in the nature or normal beach cleaning and debris removal.

b.

Structures in existence prior to the effective date of the Code, except for substantial improvements as defined herein.

c.

Construction for which a valid and unexpired building permit was issued prior to February 18, 1986.

d.

Construction extending seaward of the seasonal high-water line which is regulated by the provisions of F.S. § 161.041 (i.e. groins, jetties, moles, breakwaters, seawalls, piers, revetments, beach nourishment, inlet dredging, etc.).

e.

Construction of nonhabitable major structures, as defined in Chapter II, except for the requirements of Section 13.00.02(D)(3).

f.

Construction of minor structures, as defined in Chapter II, except for the requirements of Section 13.00.02(D)(4).

g.

Structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places.

h.

Construction for improvement of a major structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions.

3.

Applications for permits: Applications for building permits for major structures in the coastal building zone shall be certified by an architect or professional engineer registered in the State of Florida unless the structure is of normal or usual design as determined by the Building Official. Such certification shall state that the design plans and specifications for the construction are in compliance with the criteria established by this Coastal Code and that the requirements of the Florida Building Code, and FEMA publication 55 "Coastal Construction Manual," will be complied with.

D.

Coastal Construction Requirements.

1.

General: Construction within the coastal building zone and on coastal barrier islands shall meet the requirements of this section. All structures shall be designed so as to minimize damage to life, property, and the natural environment. Assistance in determining the design parameters to minimize such damage may be found in the reference documents listed in Section 13.00.02(D)(7).

2.

Structural Requirements for Major Structures:

a.

Design and construction: Major structures, except for mobile homes, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 1606 of the Florida Building Code, Major structures, except mobile homes, shall also comply with the applicable standards for construction found elsewhere in the Florida Building Code.

b.

Mobile homes: Mobile homes shall conform to the Federal Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards or the Uniform Standards Code ANSI A119.1, pursuant to F.S. § 320.823, as well as the requirements of subsection (3).

c.

Elevation, floodproofing and siting: All major structures shall be designed, constructed and located in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Regulations as found in FEMA publication 55 "Coastal Construction Manual," or Section 6.05.00, whichever is more restrictive, regardless of flood zone designation.

d.

Design conditions:

1.

Velocity pressure. Major structures, except mobile homes, shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of Section 1606 of the Florida Building Code using a minimum fastest-mile wind velocity of one hundred twenty (120) miles per hour or a three-minute gust of one hundred forty (140) miles per hour, as setout in Table 1606.1.6.1 of the Florida Building Code.

e.

Foundations: The elevation of the soil surface to be used in the design of foundations, calculations of pile reactions and bearing capacities shall not be greater than that which would result from the erosion reasonably anticipated as a result of design storm conditions. Foundation design and construction of a major structure shall consider all anticipated loads acting simultaneously with live and dead loads. Erosion computations for foundation design shall account for all vertical and lateral erosion and scour-producing forces, including localized scour due to the presence of structural components. Foundation design and construction shall provide for adequate bearing capacity taking into consideration the type of soil present and the anticipated loss of soil above the design grade as a result of localized scour. Erosion computations are not required landward of coastal construction control lines established or updated since June 30, 1980. Upon request the Florida Department of Environmental Protection may provide information as to those areas within coastal building zones where erosion and scour of a 100-year storm event is applicable.

f.

Wave forces: Calculations for wave forces resulting from design storm conditions on building foundations and superstructures may be based upon the minimum criteria and methods prescribed in the Naval facilities Engineering Command Design Manual, NAVFAC DM-26, U. S. Department of Navy; Shore Protection Manual; U. S. Department of the Army Coastal Engineering Research Center Technical Papers and Reports; the Technical and Design Memoranda of the Division of Beaches and Shores, Florida Department of Environmental Protection ; or other professionally recognized methodologies which produce equivalent design criteria.

Breaking, broken and nonbreaking waves shall be considered as applicable. Design wave loading analysis shall consider vertical uplift pressures and all lateral pressures to include impact, as well as dynamic loading and the harmonic intensification resulting from repetitive waves.

g.

Hydrostatic loads: Calculations for hydrostatic loads shall consider the maximum water pressure resulting from a fully peaked, breaking wave superimposed upon the design storm surge with dynamic wave setup. Both free and hydrostatic loads shall be considered. Hydrostatic loads which are confined shall be determined by using the maximum elevation to which the confined water would freely rise if unconfined. Vertical hydrostatic loads shall be considered both upward and downward on horizontal or inclined surfaces of major structures (i.e. floors, slabs, roofs, walls). Lateral hydrostatic loads shall be considered as forces acting horizontally above and below grade on vertical or inclined surfaces. Hydrostatic loads on irregular or curved geometric surfaces shall be determined by considering the separate vertical and horizontal components acting simultaneously under the distribution of the hydrostatic pressures.

h.

Hydrodynamic loads: Hydrodynamic loads shall consider the maximum water pressures resulting from the motion of the water mass associated with the design storm. Full intensity loading shall be applied on all structural surfaces above the design grade which would affect the flow velocities:

3.

Structural Requirements for Nonhabitable Major Structures: Nonhabitable major structures need not meet the specific structural requirements of Section 13.00.02(D)(2), except that they shall be designed to produce the minimum adverse impact on the beach and dune system and shall comply with the applicable standards of construction found elsewhere in this Code. All sewage treatment and public water supply systems shall be floodproofed to prevent infiltration of surface water anticipated under design storm conditions. Underground utilities, excluding pad transformers and vaults, shall be floodproofed to prevent infiltration of surface water expected under design storm conditions or shall otherwise be designed to function when submerged under such storm conditions.

4.

Structural Requirements for Minor Structures: Minor structures need not meet the specific structural requirements of Section 13.00.02(D)(2), except that they shall be designed to produce the minimum adverse impact on the beach and dune system and shall comply with the applicable standards of construction found elsewhere in this Code.

5.

Location of Construction: Construction, except for elevated walkways, lifeguard support stands, piers, beach access ramps, gazebos, and coastal or shore protection structures, shall be located a sufficient distance landward of the beach to permit natural shoreline fluctuations and to preserve dune stability. Construction, including excavation, may occur to the extent that the natural storm buffering and protection capability of the dune is not diminished.

6.

Public Access: Where the public has established an accessway through private lands to lands seaward of mean high tide or water line by prescription, prescriptive easement, or any other legal means, development or construction shall not interfere with such right of access unless a comparable alternative accessway is provided. The developer shall have the right to improve, consolidate, or relocate such public accessways so long as they are:

a.

Of substantially similar quality and convenience to the public;

b.

Consistent with the coastal management element of the local comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to F.S. § 163.3178.

7.

References: Assistance in determining the design parameters and methodologies necessary to comply with the requirements of this chapter may be obtained from:

"Shore Protection Manual," U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 4th Edition, 1984.

U.S. Department of the Army, Coastal Engineering Research Center's Technical Papers and Reports.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Beaches and Shores Technical and Design Memoranda.

"Naval Facilities Engineering Command Design Manual, NAVFAC DM-26," U.S. Department of the Navy.

Coastal Construction Manual, Federal Emergency Management Agency, February, 1986. (Please note that the wind design section is based upon the Florida Building Code, as described in Chapter 553.70, Florida Statutes

A.

Mandatory structural inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings shall be required and performed as set forth in F.S. § 553.899, as amended from time to time.

B.

Condominium owners, cooperative owners, and any other owners subject to F.S. § 553.899 must schedule or commence repairs for substantial structural deterioration within one hundred eighty (180) days after St. Lucie County receives a phase two inspection report.

(Ord. No. 25-019, § 1, 9-16-2025)

The International Property Maintenance Code, as promulgated by the International Code Council, Inc., is adopted by reference as the Minimum Housing Standards of the County, to apply to the unincorporated areas of the County. A copy of such code shall be filed in the office of the Public Works Director and shall be available for public inspection during the regular business hours of such office.

(Ord. No. 21-030, § 9, 9-7-2021)

A.

The County Administrator may delegate or assign all or part of the responsibilities associated with the administration of the Minimum Housing Standards to the St. Lucie County Code Compliance Division.

B.

The County Administrator shall serve as the Code Official referenced in the International Property Maintenance Code.

(Ord. No. 21-030, § 9, 9-7-2021)

Enforcement remedies of the Standard Housing Code will be in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 11.13.02 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 21-030, § 9, 9-7-2021)

Chapter 3, of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2000 edition, as promulgated by the International Code Council, Inc., is adopted by reference as the Exterior Property Maintenance Code of the County, to apply to the unincorporated areas of the County. A copy of such code shall be filed in the office of the Public Works Director and shall be available for public inspection during the regular business hours of such office.

A.

The following sections of Chapter 3, of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2000 edition, are hereby amended in the following respects:

1.

Section 301.3 (Vacant structures and land) shall be amended to read as follows:

301.3 Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures and premises thereof shall be maintained in a safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety. In addition, the owner of a vacant structure shall take such steps and perform such acts as may be required from time to time to insure that the structure and surrounding property remain safe, secure, and sanitary, and do not present a hazard to adjoining property or to the public. All openings, including doors and windows, which are covered or closed for access shall be provided with painted exterior-grade plywood closures, matched in color to the structure, unless the same are provided with awnings, storm panels, or other similar commercially available products designed for this intended use and installed in a workmanlike manner.

2.

Section 302.5 (Rodent harborage) shall be amended to read as follows:

302.5 Rodent harborage. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which shall not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent reinfestation. For the purposes of this section, the term "rodent" shall not include squirrels. This section shall not apply to exterior property zoned AG-1, AG-2.5, and AG-5.

3.

Section 302.7 (Accessory Structure) shall be amended to read as follows:

302.7 Accessory Structures. All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair, except that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any bona fide agricultural operation in the AR-1 zoning district and any area zoned AG-1, AG-2.5 or AG-5.

4.

Section 303.2 (Protective treatment) shall be amended to read as follows:

303.2 Protective treatment. All exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks and fences shall be maintained in a structurally sound and operational condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipped paint over a substantial portion of the exterior surface shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. All siding and masonry joints as well as those between the building envelope and the perimeter of windows, doors, and skylights shall be maintained weather resistant and water tight. All metal surfaces subject to rust or corrosion shall be coated to inhibit such rust and corrosion and all surfaces with rust or corrosion shall be stabilized and coated to inhibit future rust and corrosion.

B.

The following sections of Chapter 3, of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2000 edition, are hereby deleted from applicability as described in Section 13.09.01:

In the event that there is a conflict between any regulation cited in this Section and any other regulation of the County found in the St. Lucie County Land Development Code, St. Lucie Code and Compiled Laws or the Florida Building Code, the stricter of the two (2) standards shall apply.