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Florida · Treasure Coast · #397 Most Populous County in the US
Martin County, Florida
The Treasure Coast's most affluent county — from Stuart's charming Sailfish Capital waterfront and the St. Lucie River to Hobe Sound's National Wildlife Refuge sea turtle beaches, Jonathan Dickinson State Park's wild Florida interior, and a county that has fiercely protected its natural character while attracting one of the highest per-capita incomes in Florida. Property tax, courts, public records, and senior services for Martin County residents.
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Martin County's assessment ratio means effective tax rates are low — but incorrect appraisals still cost money. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Office: Martin County Emergency Management – (772) 220-7020 | martin.fl.us/emergency
Alert System: Martin County Alert; Florida FDEM; CodeRED; NOAA Weather Radio
Shelter Info: Multiple shelter locations; Martin County Emergency Management; martin.fl.us for current info
FEMA Region: Region 4
Notes: Southeast Florida Treasure Coast county; Stuart is county seat; SIGNIFICANT hurricane risk (Frances and Jeanne 2004 both struck Martin County in the same season – two major hurricanes in less than 3 weeks; Frances alone caused over $1 billion in damage in Martin County; Matthew 2016; Dorian 2019 near-miss; the St. Lucie River inlet and the Indian River Lagoon create flooding risk from multiple directions); flooding (St. Lucie River; Indian River Lagoon; St. Lucie Inlet; Lake Okeechobee discharges via the St. Lucie Canal); severe thunderstorms; Jonathan Dickinson State Park; the St. Lucie Canal delivers Lake Okeechobee water directly to the St. Lucie River estuary – a major environmental crisis
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
County Roads: Martin County Roads – (772) 288-5900
Transit: Martin County Transportation – (772) 220-7025 (demand-response; limited); primarily auto-dependent
Notes: I-95 (north-south through Martin County – connects to Palm Beach County south and Fort Pierce/Indian River County north); Florida Turnpike (inland parallel to I-95); US-1 (coastal route through Stuart and Hobe Sound); A1A (barrier island coastal route); SR-76 (west toward Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie Canal); Stuart is about 60 miles north of Fort Lauderdale and about 30 miles south of Vero Beach; the St. Lucie Inlet (connecting the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic) is a critical maritime feature
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Martin County Growth Management Department – (772) 288-5495 | martin.fl.us
Services: County permits; Stuart (separate – active), Sewall’s Point, Ocean Breeze, Jupiter Island (one of the most affluent communities in the US – an island with median home prices in the tens of millions; very limited development; strict preservation), Indiantown (separate) separate
Notes: Martin County has consistently maintained some of Florida’s strongest growth management policies; the county has resisted sprawl development more effectively than most Florida counties; Jupiter Island (in Martin County) is one of the wealthiest communities in the US – the island’s exclusive character is maintained through very limited development; Stuart’s Treasure Coast downtown is active; Indiantown has significant agricultural and commercial development in western Martin County
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
Office: Martin County Veterans Services – (772) 288-5440
VA Medical: West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (about 45 miles south; (561) 422-8262); Stuart VA CBOC – (772) 288-0304 (important local outpatient access)
Services: Benefits claims; Stuart CBOC provides good local access; large veteran retiree population; active VSO chapters
Notes: Stuart CBOC serves a significant veteran retiree community; West Palm Beach VAMC accessible via I-95 or Turnpike; Martin County’s affluent retiree community includes many veterans
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Martin County Library System – (772) 221-1403 | library.martin.fl.us; 4 branches
Branches: Blake Library (Stuart – main), Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Warfield (Belle Glade area – Palm Beach County but accessible)
Services: Books, e-books, public computers, Wi-Fi, genealogy (Treasure Coast heritage), children’s programs; St. Lucie River environmental collections; Indian River Lagoon heritage; Florida natural history; growth management heritage
Notes: Library system serves a relatively small but affluent county; Blake Library in Stuart is the excellent flagship; the environmental collections (St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, the algal bloom crisis) reflect the county’s intense environmental focus; growth management heritage – Martin County has been a leader in responsible growth management
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Federal: Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Hobe Sound – one of Florida’s largest and finest state parks; the Loxahatchee River (one of Florida’s few federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers; the Wilderness Canoe Trail is outstanding – paddling through subtropical forest untouched by development; the headwaters’ crystal blackwater system is extraordinary); the Trapper Nelson site (John Geiger – the “wild man of the Loxahatchee” who lived alone on the river for decades; his compound is preserved in the park as a historical site; his story is one of Florida’s most colorful); Florida scrub habitat (excellent Florida scrub jay habitat in the park’s scrub areas); camping; river tours by pontoon boat; manatees and alligators in the Loxahatchee)
State Parks: Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS – protecting the most undeveloped stretch of barrier island in Southeast Florida south of Canaveral; excellent sea turtle nesting (one of the most important loggerhead and leatherback nesting beaches in the US); beach walking on a wild undeveloped barrier island is extraordinary – very different from developed Florida beaches)
Regional: Stuart (a charming Treasure Coast city with an excellent waterfront and downtown; the Flagler Park area; the Stuart Heritage Museum; the Lyric Theatre (1926 – one of Florida’s finest historic theaters; local performing arts); the Stuart docks and the St. Lucie River; the Treasure Coast has a distinctly different character from the tourist-heavy Gold Coast to the south – a more authentic Florida feel); Jupiter Island (the most exclusive community in the US – home to professional athletes, billionaires, and other extremely wealthy individuals; Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Greg Norman have all had Jupiter Island homes; the island has almost no commercial development; the beaches are pristine; the community’s exclusivity is maintained through strict land use controls; the island is a glimpse into a parallel Florida of extraordinary wealth and privacy)
Notes: Jonathan Dickinson State Park is one of Florida’s most under-appreciated natural assets – the Loxahatchee River (one of Florida’s two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers) provides one of the finest paddling experiences in southeast Florida; the “Trapper Nelson” (John Geiger) legacy (the “wild man of the Loxahatchee” who built a homestead on the river and lived alone for decades, operating a small zoo and tourist attraction until his mysterious death in 1968) adds a compelling human story; Hobe Sound NWR’s sea turtle nesting beach (loggerhead and leatherback nesting in high concentrations) is one of the finest on the Florida East Coast; Jupiter Island’s extraordinary wealth and privacy (the island is gated and has no commercial development; even real estate is rarely listed publicly) create a stark contrast with the rest of Florida’s coastal communities
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Martin County GIS – martin.fl.us/gis; St. Lucie River algal bloom monitoring maps; Indian River Lagoon maps; Jonathan Dickinson SP maps; Hobe Sound NWR maps; Lake Okeechobee discharge flow maps (SFWMD)
Notes: Active GIS; St. Lucie River algal bloom and water quality monitoring maps are critical; IRL seagrass and water quality maps; Lake Okeechobee discharge monitoring (when USACE releases lake water through the St. Lucie Canal, the flow rate and nutrient loading are tracked); Jupiter Island property tax mapping (the county’s property values in Jupiter Island make it a significant GIS function)
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Shelter: Martin County Animal Shelter – (772) 463-2854 | martin.fl.us/animal
Services: Stray intake, adoptions; wildlife management (manatees in the St. Lucie River and Loxahatchee River – significant population; sea turtles on Hobe Sound NWR beaches; alligators; gopher tortoises; Florida scrub jays in Jonathan Dickinson SP; sea turtle nesting monitoring)
Notes: Sea turtle monitoring at Hobe Sound NWR and Martin County beaches is extensive; manatee management in the St. Lucie River (the river’s seagrass beds are critical manatee food – algal blooms kill the seagrass, causing manatee starvation); Florida scrub jay management in Jonathan Dickinson SP’s scrub habitat; gopher tortoise management; alligator nuisance management throughout the county
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Solid Waste: Martin County Solid Waste – (772) 288-5660; comprehensive programs; Martin County’s environmental programs reflect its progressive stance on environmental protection
Recycling: Martin County has strong recycling programs reflecting the community’s environmental values; innovative programs; one of the better Treasure Coast recycling programs
Environmental: Florida DEP; South Florida Water Management District; Loxahatchee River District (the Loxahatchee River is managed by a special district – one of the few rivers in Florida with its own management entity); St. Lucie River Initiative (community-based advocacy organization); Indian River Lagoon Program; USFWS (Hobe Sound NWR); US Army Corps of Engineers (Lake Okeechobee discharges; St. Lucie Canal)
Key Issues: Lake Okeechobee discharges and the St. Lucie River crisis (the St. Lucie Canal (C-44) connects Lake Okeechobee directly to the St. Lucie River estuary; when the USACE releases excess lake water (to prevent the Herbert Hoover Dike from failing during high water), the nutrient-rich, blue-green algae-laden lake water flows directly into the Stuart estuary; the toxic algal blooms that result have devastated the estuary’s seagrass, oyster reefs, sea turtle habitat, and manatee food supply; the Martin County community’s intense response to these discharges (protests, media coverage, political pressure) has made the Treasure Coast’s algal bloom crisis one of Florida’s most prominent environmental issues; SFWMD and USACE have reduced discharges through new operating protocols but the fundamental problem (too much nutrient-rich water in Lake Okeechobee) will only be solved by Everglades Restoration projects that provide water storage south of the lake); Loxahatchee River Wild and Scenic preservation (the Loxahatchee River’s Wild and Scenic designation protects it from dams and development, but the river’s headwaters (in western Martin County) are affected by nutrient runoff from agriculture; the river’s water quality must be maintained to protect the designation and the outstanding natural experience of the river); Indian River Lagoon in Martin County (the southern IRL receives St. Lucie Canal discharges that are among the most damaging to the lagoon system; seagrass loss, harmful algal blooms, and fish kills in the southern IRL are directly connected to the Lake Okeechobee discharge issue); Jupiter Island preservation (the island’s wealthy community is strongly pro-preservation; the Hobe Sound NWR adjacent to Jupiter Island protects the barrier island environment; the wealthy community’s political influence has historically supported environmental protection)
Notes: Martin County’s environmental battles over Lake Okeechobee discharges have made it the focal point of one of the most significant water quality controversies in Florida; the community’s intense advocacy (the “River Warriors” and other community groups) has brought national attention to the St. Lucie River crisis; the algal blooms that turn the St. Lucie River and Stuart waterfront bright green-yellow in discharge years are genuinely shocking – the contrast between the Stuart waterfront’s recreational character and the toxic algal bloom is stark; the economic impact (on property values, tourism, fishing, and recreational boating) is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually; Florida’s political system, the Army Corps, SFWMD, and the environmental groups have been wrestling with this problem for decades; the CERP’s C-43 reservoir project (which would create massive water storage west of Lake Okeechobee to hold water and release it slowly rather than dumping it into the St. Lucie Canal) is the most important Everglades restoration project for Martin County
About Martin County
Martin County’s development philosophy is legible in its skyline – or rather in the absence of one. Where Palm Beach and Broward counties built towers along their barrier island shores, Martin County enforced four-story height limits that have preserved a low-rise, small-town coastal character that is genuinely rare on Florida’s Atlantic coast. Stuart’s downtown on the St. Lucie River has a walkable, independent-business character that reflects a deliberate community choice about the kind of place residents want to live in.
The Sailfish Capital title is backed by genuine marlin and sailfish abundance in the Gulf Stream waters offshore – the annual Treasure Coast fishing tournaments draw competitive anglers and the associated charter boat industry. Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the largest state park in southeast Florida, provides wilderness camping, kayaking, and manatee sightings on the Loxahatchee River. Martin County’s healthcare is anchored by Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Florida assesses at just value each January 1. TRIM Notice in August – 25-day petition window to the Martin County Value Adjustment Board. Homestead exemption: File with the Martin County Property Appraiser at 3473 SE Willoughby Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994, phone 772-288-5608, by March 1. No FL estate or inheritance tax.
Recommended
Martin County TRIM notice August — 25-day appeal window. Jupiter Island ultra-luxury and Stuart waterfront among Florida's most constrained and premium markets. No FL estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Courts & Legal
Circuit Court (Probate): The Martin County Circuit Court – 19th Judicial Circuit at 100 E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994, phone 772-288-5576, handles probate, estate administration, and all civil and criminal matters. Clerk of Courts at martinclerk.com.
Senior Services
Martin County Senior Services
2650 SE Dixie Highway, Stuart, FL 34996
Phone: (772) 221-1446
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
CLERK OF COURTS (Records, Marriage Licenses)
100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 288-5576
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Martin County Clerk of Court (probate/estate case files – see Probate section above).
Martin County Public Health Unit, 620 South Dixie Highway, Stuart, FL 34994, (561) 221-4000.
Local societies
Martin County Genealogical Society, 1395 NE Waveland, Jensen Beach, FL 33457.
Historical Society of Martin County, 825 NE Ocean Blvd., Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL 34996-1696, (407) 225-1961.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Martin County Clerk of Court, Probate Division 100 E. Ocean Blvd., P.O. Drawer 9016, Stuart, FL 34994/34995 (772) 288-5736 Martin County sits in Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit.
IMPORTANT – a major statewide law change just took effect: Florida’s summary administration threshold DOUBLED from $75,000 to $150,000 effective July 1, 2026, under CS/HB 1337 (Chapter 2026-57, Laws of Florida). Confirm which threshold applies based on date of death when helping someone (see
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
800 SE Monterey Rd., Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 220-7000
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
101 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 118, Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 288-5637
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
FL Dept of Health — Martin
3441 SE Willoughby Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 221-4000
FL DCF — Martin
(772) 219-5300
FL Medicaid
(800) 299-4833
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
clevelandclinic.org/florida
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Florida DOH in Martin County – (772) 221-4000 | martin.floridahealth.gov
Services: Comprehensive health department; immunizations; WIC; STI testing; behavioral health; environmental health; St. Lucie River algal bloom health monitoring (critical given Lake Okeechobee discharges)
Hospital: Martin Health (Cleveland Clinic Martin Health – two hospitals in Stuart; Cleveland Clinic acquired Martin Health; excellent community hospital system); Tradition Medical Center (HCA – western Martin County/Port St. Lucie area); Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center accessible south
Notes: Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is an excellent hospital system; behavioral health is in significant demand; St. Lucie River algal bloom monitoring is a critical public health function (the cyanotoxins in the blooms create swimming and recreational water use advisories; liver toxins from the blue-green algae are serious health concerns); opioid crisis is significant in the Treasure Coast
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