Exterior
Stucco Repair: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Patching or re-coating cracked, delaminated or water-damaged stucco. Small cosmetic patches are usually exempt; anything that exposes lath or covers a large wall area generally needs a permit.
Verified August 2026
Typical cost
$4,200
$900 – $16,000
per sq ft repaired
$7 – $22
Permit
Depends
$90 – $320
Timeline
2-6 days of work plus cure time
2-6 days of work plus cure time, 1-4 weeks with permitting
Do you need a permit for stucco repair?
It depends on scope
Cosmetic, like-for-like stucco repair work is often exempt. A permit is required as soon as you change structure, plumbing, electrical or the building envelope.
What drives the cost
- Extent of delamination behind the visible crack
- Whether lath and weather barrier need replacement
- Two-story access and scaffolding
- Color matching versus full re-coat
- Underlying water intrusion repairs
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | conditional |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $90 – $320 |
| Licensed contractor required | Not always |
| Owner-builder allowed | Yes, on owner-occupied homes |
| Inspections | Lath / wire inspection when re-lathing, Final inspection |
| Timeline | 2-6 days of work plus cure time, 1-4 weeks with permitting |
| DIY difficulty | 4/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Permit application when the repair exceeds a patch
- • Contractor license
Stucco Repair cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | $1,100 – $18,900 | +18% |
| Tampa | $900 – $16,600 | +4% |
| Orlando | $900 – $16,300 | +2% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $1,000 – $18,200 | +14% |
| Jacksonville | $900 – $15,400 | -4% |
| West Palm Beach | $1,000 – $17,900 | +12% |
| St. Petersburg | $900 – $16,500 | +3% |
| Fort Myers | $1,000 – $17,400 | +9% |
| Cape Coral | $1,000 – $17,100 | +7% |
| Sarasota | $1,000 – $17,300 | +8% |
| Naples | $1,100 – $19,800 | +24% |
| Port St. Lucie | $900 – $16,300 | +2% |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for stucco repair in Florida?
Small cosmetic patches typically do not require a permit, but most jurisdictions require one once the repair exposes lath, exceeds a set square footage, or involves replacing the weather-resistive barrier.
Sources
Sources & verification
Last verified August 2026. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing — they are not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.