Hutchinson Island, Martin County
Demolition in Hutchinson Island
Martin County's side of Hutchinson Island is mostly low-rise, because the county caps new buildings at four stories and 40 feet. Frances and Jeanne both came ashore at the island's south end in 2004. A teardown here is planned around the ocean, the cap and, often, a condo board.
A 1981 federal planning record put Martin's island rule at four stories or 40 feet and 7.5 units an acre for planned developments, with evacuation limited to three bridges. Section 553.8991 of the Florida Statutes limits local blocks on demolishing unsafe or flood-nonconforming buildings seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line, but it excludes single-family homes, and a replacement may only reach the local maximum. Here that is still four stories.
Oceanfront work seaward of the line needs an FDEP Coastal Construction Control Line permit, or a written exemption, on top of the county permit. Sea turtles nest from March 1 to October 31, and the county's lighting ordinance sits in LDR Article 4, Division 4; ask what it asks of beachfront work before staging is planned. Nicole's surge in 2022 took out patios, staircases and garage walls behind island homes.
For a condominium, FDEP treats the condo or co-op board as the owner for the asbestos notice, which is filed with the Southeast District ten working days or more ahead of any work. Confirm the sewer provider too: a 2005 Public Service Commission filing shows a private wastewater utility certificated on the island, and whether it still serves a given building needs checking.
Sources: Wikipedia: Hutchinson Island (Florida) · NRC docket: 1981 Martin County island planning record · Martin County Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4 (Municode) · Florida Statutes s. 553.8991 · NHC report: Hurricane Frances · NWS: Hurricane Jeanne · Martin County: sea turtle season · FWC: sea turtle lighting ordinances · Nicole damage on Hutchinson Island (WPTV) · FDEP: asbestos FAQ · Florida PSC: 2005 Hutchinson Island wastewater filing
Who permits demolition in Hutchinson Island
Martin County Building Department
The Martin side of the island is unincorporated, so the county permit applies, filed through Accela Citizen Access. Seaward of the control line, an FDEP CCCL permit or written exemption is also needed. The county checklist itself lists three items; ask what else the inspector expects.
Official pageSummary only, not legal advice. Once Romco is hired, the permit is filed in our name as contractor of record. Martin guide to demolition permits
What we quote in Hutchinson Island
Demolition quoted in this area
- Interior demolitionStrip-outs to the studs or the slab, with the survey and the floor plans settled first.Interior demolition in Martin →
- Selective demolitionOne part of a building comes off; the rest stays standing and in use.Selective demolition in Martin →
- Commercial demolitionPlazas, offices, restaurants and warehouses, sequenced around utilities and the next use.Commercial demolition in Martin →
- House demolitionTeardowns planned around what the lot may hold next and the steps the checklist skips.House demolition in Martin →
- Structural demolitionMulti-story and coastal buildings down to the foundation, with deep work self-performed.Structural demolition in Martin →
- Concrete removalSlabs, drives, patios and footings broken out, hauled and graded.Concrete removal in Martin →
- Pool removalPartial fill-in or full shell removal, with the access route and the permit settled first.Pool removal in Martin →
- Mobile home demolitionMobile and manufactured homes taken down, with the hookups and the pad dealt with.Mobile home demolition in Martin →
- Storm damage demolitionStorm-damaged buildings made safe and taken down under the county's recovery rules.Storm damage demolition in Martin →
- Site clearingLots cleared for building, in the order the county's tree and clearing rules set.Site clearing in Martin →
- Asbestos coordinationThe licensed survey, the FDEP notice and the abatement firm, coordinated around the work.Asbestos coordination in Martin →
- Accessory structure demolitionSheds, detached garages, guest cottages and outbuildings, permitted and hauled.Accessory structure demolition in Martin →
- Something else?Demolition of every type is quoted, large or small. Missing from the list? Call us and tell us what it is.Call (772) 310-3298 →
The sequence
Six stages, start to closed permit
Romco Builders is a licensed Florida general contractor, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale. A carport and a commercial building follow these stages in the same order.
Describe the job
Phone or use the form. Tell us the address, what comes down and what stays. Photos or a survey help.
Site visit
We look at the structure, the live services, access for trucks, trees, the seawall or water's edge, and any association rules.
A written scope and quote
Removal, protection, hauling and anything that hangs on the asbestos survey appear as separate lines.
Notices, releases, permit
The licensed survey and FDEP notice where required, the utility releases, then the application to the correct office.
Demolition and hauling
Work follows the agreed order, and debris goes to the county transfer facility in Palm City or another licensed site.
Inspection and close
The final inspection passes and the permit closes, leaving a level lot or the shell you specified.
Questions
Demolition in Hutchinson Island
Can a Hutchinson Island condo be rebuilt taller after demolition?
Not on Martin County's part of the island under current rules. The county plan caps buildings at four stories and 40 feet, except as its Land Development Regulations provide. Even where s. 553.8991 applies seaward of the control line, the replacement may only reach the local maximum, so the cap still binds. Confirm parcel limits with Martin County Growth Management before you price a rebuild.
What drives the cost of a demolition?
Six things move the number most: the building's size and construction, what the asbestos survey finds, the utility and septic work to coordinate, site access, debris weight, and what the permit office requires. There is no published rate card, because a guess is worse than none. Send the property survey and photos, and we return a written number after we walk the site.
Is an asbestos inspection required before a Martin teardown?
For most buildings, yes. FDEP requires a thorough inspection by a state-licensed consultant before any planned demolition it covers, and a notice to its Southeast District at least 10 working days ahead, even when no asbestos turns up. We arrange the survey with an independent licensed consultant and bring in a licensed abatement firm if needed. Romco does not abate asbestos.
How long before the work can start?
We do not promise dates, because the lead items belong to others. FDEP needs its notice at least 10 working days ahead where it applies, Sunshine 811 needs at least 2 full business days, and FPL sets its own disconnect date. Permit review depends on the office. When each of those dates is set, the order of work goes to you in writing.
Other Martin cities: Stuart · Palm City · Jensen Beach · Hobe Sound · Port Salerno · Jupiter Island · Sewall's Point · Indiantown · Ocean Breeze · Unincorporated Martin County · Rio · Golden Gate · Port Mayaca
Every type and size, across Martin County
Send the address and the scope. We will quote it.
Romco Builders is a licensed Florida general contractor, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale. One wall or an entire building, every quote comes back as a written scope with a number attached.