Treasure Coast & Space Coast
Tub to Shower Conversion in St. Lucie County, Florida
Permit requirements, inspections and modeled costs for tub to shower conversion in unincorporated St. Lucie County. If your address falls inside a city, the municipal building department issues the permit instead.
Model reviewed August 2026
Do you need a permit for tub to shower conversion in St. Lucie County?
Usually yes
In most cases yes — St. Lucie County and the City of Unincorporated St. Lucie County generally require a permit for tub to shower conversion. Height, size and location on the lot determine the exact review, so confirm with the building department before you start.
Budget $3,700 – $17,000 for the work itself (typically $7,700) plus a modeled $105–$380 permit allowance. Dollar figures are modeled, not quoted.
Permit authority: St. Lucie County building departmentModeled estimate for unincorporated addresses.
St. Lucie County cost model
| Budget scope | $3,700 |
|---|---|
| Typical project | $7,700 |
| Premium / complex | $17,000 |
| per conversion | $3,750 – $17,050 |
| Permit feesModeled allowance | $105 – $380 |
| vs national baseline | +6% |
| Timeline | 3-7 days of work, 2-5 weeks including permitting |
Inspections typically required
Typical inspection sequence for this project type under the Florida code basis. St. Lucie County and the cities inside it can add, combine or waive inspections — confirm the sequence with the permitting authority before scheduling.
- Plumbing rough-in
- Shower pan water test
- Final inspection
Documents usually requested at submittal
Common submittal items for this project type. The exact checklist is set by the authority that issues your permit and can differ inside the county.
- Plumbing permit application
- Contractor license and insurance
Cities inside the county that permit their own work
If the property is inside these municipalities, apply to the city rather than the county.
Statewide rules that apply here
St. Lucie County enforces the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, effective December 31, 2023. Local amendments can add requirements but cannot reduce the statewide minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower?
Usually yes. Moving or replacing the drain and valve is regulated plumbing work, so most Florida building departments require a plumbing permit and a shower pan water test.
How long does tub to shower conversion take?
3-7 days of work, 2-5 weeks including permitting. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are drain relocation from tub to shower position; tile versus acrylic shower base and walls; glass enclosure type.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.