Florida Storm
Permit Help.
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Pinellas County, FL Storm repair permits

After the storm,
the rules matter.

A calm, independent guide to after-the-fact permits, floodplain repair rules, substantial damage letters, and the 49% rule for Pinellas County homeowners.

Request permit help Read the 49% rule guide
IndependentNot a county or contractor website
CitedGuides point back to official sources
LocalBuilt around Pinellas storm rules
Homeowner checklist

What kind of letter or repair issue do you have?

Start here
  • Repairs were already completed or started after a storm.
  • You received a substantial damage or permit notice.
  • Repair estimates may approach the 49% threshold.
  • The home is in a floodplain, evacuation zone, or coastal area.
Plain-English routing: submit one request and include the city, issue type, and whether work has started.

Permit-first guidance

Focused on rules homeowners usually miss after storm repairs.

Pinellas-specific

Built around county deadlines, floodplain rules, and city context.

Cited sources

Guides link back to official county, FEMA, state, and health resources.

No contractor claims

A calm resource hub, not a fake local repair company.

Homeowner guide

Start with the problem that matches your letter, repair, or permit question.

Plain-English explanations of the rules that matter most after a Florida storm. Each guide is designed to reduce uncertainty and point homeowners back to official sources.

Homeowner guide

The 49% rule, in plain English

If repair cost reaches 49% of your structure value, Pinellas may require current flood safety compliance.

Pinellas CountyUpdated 2026
Pinellas County

After-the-fact permits, explained

Work already completed after a storm may still need to be brought into compliance.

Pinellas CountyUpdated 2026
Floodplain repairs

Repair permits in flood hazard areas

What changes when the home is in a regulated floodplain.

Pinellas CountyUpdated 2026
Mold and water

Mold after flooding

How water intrusion, humidity, and delayed drying create a second problem after the storm.

Pinellas CountyUpdated 2026
Estimates

Storm damage contractor estimates

Why detailed scopes matter for permits, insurance, and substantial damage reviews.

Pinellas CountyUpdated 2026
Local page

St. Pete Beach homeowners

Barrier-island repair and floodplain concerns for St. Pete Beach properties.

Pinellas CountyUpdated 2026
Deadline-aware

Already repaired storm damage without a permit?

Pinellas County has published after-the-fact storm permitting guidance, including a penalty waiver period for certain storm-related repairs. If you received a notice or are not sure whether your work needed a permit, start here.

Read permit guidance Request help
Official-source trail

Guides should cite the source, not invent the rule.

After-the-fact permittingPinellas.gov Substantial damage / improvementPinellas.gov Flood maps and zonesPinellas.gov
Cities served

Built for Pinellas homeowners first.

The site starts in Pinellas County because the recent storm permitting and floodplain questions are local, specific, and time-sensitive.

St. PetersburgClearwaterLargoSeminoleDunedinPalm HarborTarpon SpringsPinellas ParkSafety HarborOldsmarGulfportSt. Pete BeachTreasure IslandMadeira BeachIndian Rocks BeachIndian ShoresBelleair
Request help

Request help with a storm repair permit issue.

Share what is happening at the property so the request can be understood in context: city, permit status, storm damage, floodplain concerns, and any notice you received.

Independent homeowner resource: Florida Storm Permit Help is not a contractor, government agency, insurer, law firm, or engineering firm. Submissions help identify the issue and, when appropriate, connect homeowners with the right kind of local professional for follow-up.

Permit questionAfter-the-fact work, 49% rule, floodplain repair, or related notice.
Local contextProperty city and description help determine which jurisdiction or professional type may be relevant.
Low-pressure follow-upNo fake urgency, no guarantee of service availability, and no claim of government affiliation.
Request help

Tell us what is happening at the property.

We use this information to understand the jurisdiction and the type of professional who may be able to help. Submission does not guarantee service availability.

Optional, but useful for jurisdiction routing.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request by this website or a local service provider. This site is not affiliated with Pinellas County, FEMA, or any government agency.

No pressure. No fake emergency language.
Common questions

Clear answers before you call anyone.

Is this a contractor website?
No. Florida Storm Permit Help is an independent homeowner resource. We explain permit and floodplain issues and can forward your request to a local professional when appropriate.
Do storm repairs in Pinellas County need permits?
Many repairs that normally require permits still require permits after a storm, including structural, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and mechanical work. Pinellas also has after-the-fact storm permit guidance for certain work already completed.
What is the 49% rule?
Pinellas County describes substantial damage as repair costs reaching 49% or more of the structure value, excluding land. If that threshold is met in a flood hazard area, the structure may need to meet current flood safety standards.
Can you guarantee a permit approval?
No. Only the relevant building department can approve permits. The site helps you understand the process and request help from professionals who can review your situation.