Frequently Asked Questions
Commercial
Purchasing, Developing or Improving an Existing Commercial Property
Q. I want to purchase, develop a new property, or improve an existing property. What information can the Engineering Department provide?
The Engineering Department will be able to provide information regarding driveway locations, offsite roadway improvements, drainage issues, discharge location, discharge rate, offsite drainage improvements, and general site layout issues related to the parking layout or drainage.
Q. What is the best way to obtain this information from the Engineering Department?
Phone (772) 871-5177, request to speak with someone in the Commercial Site Plan Review Division, and schedule a meeting.
Q. Who can answer questions about water and sewer utilities?
The City of Port St. Lucie Utilities Systems main phone number is (772) 873-6400.
Q. Who can answer questions about zoning, land use, setbacks, architectural requirements, required number of parking spaces, architectural standards, landscaping standards, conversion areas, scheduling and submittal requirements for the review committees or boards?
City of Port St. Lucie Planning and Zoning Department main phone number is (772) 871-5212. You may also go to the Planning and Zoning homepage for additional information.
Q. I am not sure how to properly install the swale liner. Can I get details on how to do this?
Yes. Just click here to go directly to the swale liner detail, or you can call (772) 871-5177 for additional information.
Q. Where can I go to find the City’s land development regulations?
You can go to the City’s MUNICODE to locate any information that you may need.
Commercial Site Plan Review Process
Q. I have a preliminary site plan for a commercial project. Can I come in to review and discuss this plan with the Engineering Department?
Certainly! If you are new to the area, have concerns about being able to develop the property in accordance with City Codes, or just want to get our thoughts on the layout we encourage you to do so.
Please phone (772) 871-5177, request to speak with someone in the Commercial Site Plan Review Division and schedule a meeting with a staff member of the Site Plan Review Division.
*Please be aware that this is a courtesy review and our staff will not have all the information to say with 100% certainty that the plan is perfect and no further comments will be generated. The Engineering Department reserves the right to complete a thorough review of the project and comment accordingly upon review of the “official” site plan through the Site Plan Review Process.
Q. How do I start the review process for new or revised site plans?
The Planning & Zoning Department is the department that oversees the commercial review process within the City. They are located in “Building A” on the first floor. Visit the office or phone (772) 871-5212 for assistance.
Q. When I submitted the information to Planning and Zoning, I received a Project Number – P0x-xxx. What is this number?
The “P” number is the project identification number used by the Planning and Zoning Department. This number is needed by the Engineering Department to start our files and accounting system for the project. The Engineering Department is not able to accept fees until this number has been established by the Planning and Zoning Department. Essentially, the project does not exist in our database until the “P” number is created by Planning and Zoning.
Q. My project is scheduled for the Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC), are there review fees for Engineering? If so, how much and when do they need to be paid?
The Engineering Department will determine the fees once the project is on a SPRC agenda. The Engineering Department will send a fax to the Applicant with the application and fees. The fees should be paid or other arrangements made prior to the Site Plan Review Committee Meeting. The fee schedule for the Engineering Department Commercial fees may be viewed at Engineering Department Commercial Site Plan Review Fee ScheduleHYPERLINK "pdf/Commercial_Fees.pdf".
Q. What does the Engineering Department review and what kind of comments can I expect from the Engineering Department?
The Engineering Department’s main objective is to review the impact of the proposed development on the City’s roadways and drainage infrastructure as well as meeting the City’s Land Development Regulations. Our comments may include, but are not limited to, requests for more information, offsite roadway improvements, offsite drainage improvements, parking layout (traffic circulation), site grading, or storm water management system.
Q. Will I get the comments from the Engineering Department before the Site Plan Review Committee Meeting?
Yes, provided that review fees are paid or other arrangements have been made. Comments are faxed to the applicant the Monday before the Site Plan Review Committee Meeting.
Q. I received the Engineering Comments on Monday, do I have time to revise and resubmit prior to the Site Plan Review Committee Meeting on Wednesday?
Unfortunately, no.
Q. Who is on the Site Plan Review Committee?
The committee is comprised of representatives from the Planning and Zoning Department, Building Department, Planning and Zoning Board, Public Works Department, Engineering Department, Utilities Department, School Board, and Fire District. The School Board and Fire District are non-voting members of the committee.
Q. What happens at the Site Plan Review Committee?
The committee reviews and discusses the projects on the agenda. The committee votes to either recommend approval with conditions, table, or deny the project. Projects recommended for approval with conditions or projects that are denied are sent to the next review level (Planning and Zoning Board or City Council). Projects that are tabled will return to the Site Plan Review Committee.
Q. How do I know if the Engineering Department will be in a position to support my project with conditions, table, or deny?
The Engineering Department Reviewer will call the applicant prior to the Site Plan Review Committee Meeting to discuss projects that the Engineering Department recommends tabling or denying. Keep in mind that the Engineering Department is only one member of the committee.
Q. How can I help the project go as quickly as possible?
Here is a list of ways that the applicant can help us:
- Schedule a preliminary review of the site plan with the Engineering Department.
- Use the “P” number assigned to the project by the Planning and Zoning Department in all correspondence (letters, memos, emails, faxes) and when requesting information via phone.
- Perform a complete and thorough quality review of the project prior to submittal to the City. Incomplete plans, obvious errors, multiple typos, and inconstancies are grounds for the Engineering Department to recommend that the project return to the Site Plan Review Committee with corrections rather than being approved with conditions.
- Provide a written statement or transmittal letter with the plans being submitted. It should indicate the “P” number, name of the project, date, and a statement of what is being requested.
- Provide a written response to the review comments from the Engineering Department. Make sure to address the comments and revise the plans accordingly. The written response should indicate the “P” number, name of project, date, and statement of what is requested. Please call us if you have a question regarding the comments.
- Plan and schedule accordingly. Our division works on the “first one in, first one out” theory. We are not able to “push” other projects aside to accommodate someone with a deadline or scheduling issue.
- Identify and provide one contact person for a project.
- When you leave phone messages, speak clearly. Please leave your name, the name of your project, the “P” number of the project, and phone number (including area code, if needed).
Permitting Process
Q. My project was approved by City Council. I want to clear the site and/or start construction. What is the process?
Start the process by completing a Request for Building Permit application along with the needed plans and information to the Planning and Zoning Department. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department (P&Z) at (772) 871-5212 with questions.
Planning and Zoning will contact the Applicant to pick up the request and hand-deliver to the Engineering Department. The Engineering Department will review the submitted information and send a fax itemizing the information needed by our department to process the Clearing Permit or issue the Engineering Permit
Q. What is NPDES?
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
Q. Do I need to install sediment and erosion controls prior to clearing or construction?
Yes. Perimeter sediment and erosion control measures and turbidity control, if applicable, must be in place and inspected prior to issuance of the engineering permit, commencing clearing, or construction.
Q. How do I get perimeter sediment and erosion controls inspected?
The Engineer of Record (EOR) will need to call and request this inspection. This inspection cannot occur until the Engineering Department has received the Request for Building Permit from the Planning and Zoning Department. For project sites:
- Less than one acre call (772) 871-5177 and request to set up this inspection.
- Greater than or equal to one acre call (772) 344-4128 to set up this inspection.
Q. How do I get the Clearing Permit?
After the Engineering Department completes and approves the Request for Building Permit (Clearing), the Contractor will be phoned or faxed a memo letting him/her know that the package is ready for pick-up. The Contractor may pick up this information from the Engineering Department and then go to the Building Department to obtain the Permit. Please phone (772) 871-5132 with any questions regarding the information needed to obtain the Clearing Permit from the Building Department.
Q. Is there a fee for the Clearing Permit?
Yes, the fee is per the latest fee schedule from the Building Department. Please phone (772) 871-5132 with any questions regarding the fee.
Q. Can I install sediment and erosion controls without a Clearing Permit?
Yes, per City Code, Section 153.23.
Q. What does an Engineering Permit include?
This permit allows construction of the infrastructure including the utilities, storm drainage system, roadways, driveways, off-site improvements, and site grading.
Q. How do I get an Engineering Permit?
Follow these steps:
- Revise the plans and address the issues identified as part of the conditional approval of the project.
- Submit a Request for Building Permit along with the required submittals to the Planning and Zoning Department. Please contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (772) 871-5212 with questions.
- Complete an Engineering Permit Application and submit to the Engineering Department.
- An itemized cost estimate for the total site work signed and sealed by the Engineer of Record (EOR). The cost estimate shall include all line item cost associated with the projec.
- Provide a copy of the NOI submitted to DEP (equal to or greater than one acre).
- Provide a copy of the approved SFWMD Permit or Permit Modification to the Engineering Department, if applicable.
- Provide four sets of signed and sealed Civil/Site plans including the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to the Engineering Department.
- Have the perimeter sediment and erosion control measures and turbidity control, if applicable, inspected and accepted by the Engineering Department.
- Pay the Engineering permit fee. The fee is based on the site work cost estimate and is determined by the Engineering Department.
- For a Residential Subdivision: Provide an electronic copy (include lot lines/numbers, setbacks, finished floor elevations, and street names).
- Any other required permits requested by the City (i.e. FDOT, ACOE,
County, etc.).
Q. What are the Engineering Permit Fees?
Click here for the latest Engineering Permit Fee Schedule.
Q. How do I get a permit to build the structures?
After the Engineering Permit is issued to the Contractor; the Contractor will be able to take the approved plans along with the approved Request for Building Permit to the Building Department. The Building Department will then process the request for the Building Permit. Should you have questions regarding the Building Permit, please phone (772) 871-5132.
Inspection Process
Q. Who is the inspector on this project and how do I contact him/her?
After receiving the Engineering Permit you may call (772) 871-5177 to find out who the Inspector is for your project, and if you have any questions for that Inspector
Q. What is the process to determine the swale inverts (stakeout) and driveway culvert sizes?
The Engineer of Record (EOR) will need to call and request this information and inspection. Please call (772 871-5177 to set up the stakeout and begin work on sizing the driveway culvert. The City Survey Crew will determine the horizontal and vertical location of the swales and culverts within the City right-of-way. In addition, the Engineering Department will determine and provide the required RCP culvert size(s).
Q. How can I obtain the cutsheet?
Once the swale stakeout has been completed, you can come to the Engineering Department to pick up the cutsheet. They are located in the front area of the department on the wall in the bottom bin.
Q. How do I get the swale and culvert inspected?
The Engineer of Record (EOR) will need to call (772) 871-5177 to request this inspection.
Q. What is required at the final swale and culvert inspection?
No tolerance is allowed for culverts that are set too high. A one-inch tolerance is allowed for inverts that are set too low. The culvert is to be free and clear of debris. The swale and right-of-way shall be clear of debris, swale liner installed (where appropriate), ground stabilized, sodded and graded to promote proper drainage. Restoration of adjacent properties and swales (including the lot(s) directly across the street) is also required. Grading and location of the swale shall be in accordance with the stakeout by the City Survey Crew.
Q. What site work will be inspected on this project?
The Inspectors will make unscheduled visits to determine how the work is proceeding. We ask that the Engineer of Record (EOR) or a representative be on site during the following inspections:
- Drainage: Inspector will observe the pipe and pipe joints, prior to the pipe being covered with the fabric, rock or backfill. The City Inspector will also observe backfill operations.
- Concrete: City Inspector will observe the overall condition of the forms for concrete work outside the limits of the building including slabs, sidewalks, pavement, curb and gutter. The City Inspector may also observe the pouring.
- Pavement Subgrade: The City Inspector will verify the compaction by visual inspection. The City Inspector may require the Contractor to string the subgrade.
- Pavement Base: The City Inspector will verify the compaction by visual inspection. The City Inspector may require the Contractor to string the base rock.
- Asphalt: The City Inspector will observe installation procedures.
- Final: The site work will be inspected for overall condition and conformance to the construction plans: retention/detention areas, control structures, drainage structures, pavement surface, pavement markings, signage, sidewalks, site grading and other such features shown on the plans.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Process
Q. What does the Engineering Department need in order to complete the sign off on the CO?
The following items are needed:
- An acceptable final engineering inspection.
- An acceptable final swale and culvert inspection, if applicable
- Letter of construction certification from the engineer (signed and sealed).
- Copy of letter from SFWMD accepting the Engineer's Construction Completion Certification
- Electronic copy of the construction drawings (AutoCAD).
- Hard copy of the record drawing (signed and sealed).
- Inspection test results.