Port St. Lucie, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
Port St. Lucie, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
Port St. Lucie is located in St. Lucie County on Florida's Treasure Coast and had a 2020 Census population of 258,575, making it one of Florida's fastest-growing large cities. The city manages land use through Chapter 158 of its Zoning Code (Title XV — Land Usage), which is incorporated into the City of Port St. Lucie Code of Ordinances.
The Planning & Zoning Department is responsible for reviewing development applications, maintaining the Comprehensive Plan, and administering the Zoning Code. A Planner of the Day service is available during business hours for public inquiries.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Port St. Lucie and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the Port St. Lucie Planning & Zoning Department or the official municipal code before making development decisions.
Planning & Zoning Department Contact
- Phone: (772) 871-5213
- Fax: (772) 871-5124
- Address: 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd., Building B, Port St. Lucie, FL 34984
- Planner of the Day: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–5:00 p.m.
- Online Development Portal: fusion.cityofpsl.com
- Pre-application meetings available by appointment ($430 fee)
Residential Zoning Districts
Port St. Lucie's residential districts are established in Article V of Chapter 158. Key standards from the Zoning Code:
RS-2 — Single-Family Residential (§158.073)
Low-density urban-character single-family district.
- Minimum lot: 10,000 sq ft / 60 ft width
- Front setback: 25 ft
- Side setbacks: 10 ft each
- Rear setback: 25 ft
- Minimum living area: 1,200 sq ft (one-story) or 1,400 sq ft (two-story living area)
RS-3 — Single-Family Residential (§158.076)
Low-density urban-character single-family district with smaller lot minimum.
- Minimum lot: 7,500 sq ft / 60 ft width
- Front setback: 25 ft
- Side setbacks: 7.5 ft each
- Rear setback: 25 ft
- Maximum height: 35 ft
- Minimum living area: 1,200 sq ft (one-story) or 1,400 sq ft (two-story living area)
RS-1 — Single-Family Residential
Lower-density classification compared to RS-2 and RS-3, with more restrictive lot size requirements. See Chapter 158 for specific standards.
RM-11 — Multiple-Family Residential (§158.079)
Multi-family residential district for apartment buildings and higher-density housing. Consult §158.079 for dimensional standards.
Corner Lots: Any corner lot exceeding 100 ft in width at its front property line shall have a 25 ft side setback adjacent to the side street. Structures must maintain a minimum 50 ft setback from the mean high-water line of any natural public water body.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires Port St. Lucie to permit ADUs in single-family zones. Per §158.217, accessory structures and uses are permitted in RE, RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3 districts. Key rules:
- Accessory structures must be located at least 10 ft from the rear property line
- Side setbacks for accessory structures match those of the underlying district
- No building may extend beyond any base building line
- Contact the Planning & Zoning Department at (772) 871-5213 for current ADU-specific standards and permitting requirements
GIS Zoning Map
The Port St. Lucie GIS Zoning Map provides an interactive map for property zoning lookups: pslgis.maps.arcgis.com — Port St. Lucie Zoning
Development Process
Development in Port St. Lucie generally requires:
- Zoning Verification — Use the GIS Zoning Map or contact the Planning & Zoning Department at (772) 871-5213
- Pre-Application Meeting — Available by appointment for major projects ($430 fee)
- Development Application — Submit through the online portal at fusion.cityofpsl.com
- Site Plan Review — Required for commercial, multi-family, and certain residential projects
- Building Permit — Apply through the Development Portal
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Port St. Lucie:
- Verify the zoning using the official GIS Zoning Map
- Review the applicable RS district setbacks, lot size requirements, and minimum living area standards in Chapter 158
- Note that corner lots have enhanced side setback requirements (25 ft adjacent to side street for lots over 100 ft wide)
- Determine flood zone status — St. Lucie County has significant flood risk areas
- Confirm HOA or deed restrictions applicable to the property
Official Resources
- Planning & Zoning Department: cityofpsl.com/Planning-Zoning — (772) 871-5213
- GIS Zoning Map: Port St. Lucie Zoning Map
- Development Portal: fusion.cityofpsl.com
- Municipal Code: library.municode.com/fl/port_st._lucie
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Port St. Lucie
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA Flood Zones: Applicable
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Florida
- Building Code: Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023)
- State ADU Override: Yes (Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zoning districts.)
County — St. Lucie County
- Role: County provides property records, tax assessment, and governs unincorporated areas.
City / Municipal
The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
- HOAs are common in Florida. Check CC&Rs for additional restrictions beyond city zoning.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 10,000 sq ft (minimum 60 ft width)
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 7,500 sq ft (minimum 60 ft width)
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 7.5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- Varies — see municipal code §158.079
- Max Height
- Varies — see municipal code
- Front Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Side Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Min Lot
- Varies — see municipal code
- Max Height
- Varies — see municipal code
- Front Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Side Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
- Rear Setback
- Varies — see municipal code
ADU Rules in Port St. Lucie
Permit Costs & Timelines
Permit Costs & Timelines
Specific permit fee schedules for Port St. Lucie are available from the local planning department. Fees vary based on project type, scope, and valuation.
Check Port St. Lucie permit fees →