Martin County, Florida

Stuart, Florida: Homes, Waterfront Living & Downtown

Welcome to Stuart, a river town on Florida's Treasure Coast and the county seat of Martin County. Here you will find a historic downtown on the St. Lucie River, neighborhoods along the water and beaches on nearby Hutchinson Island. Whether you are buying, selling or simply exploring, this guide is a friendly place to start, and we are always glad to talk it through.

Aerial view of Downtown Stuart and the Riverwalk — Downtown Stuart and the Riverwalk, from above. Photo - Power Homes Treasure Coast

Housing Options

The City of Stuart describes a mix of historic neighborhoods near downtown and modern townhomes and condominiums. Stuart addresses also reach toward the Hutchinson Island beaches and Sewall's Point.

A few things worth knowing as a buyer or seller:

Ask for association documents early. Martin County does not enforce private deed restrictions or HOA/POA bylaws, so fees, rental rules and approval processes come from the association itself.
Confirm the property's jurisdiction. A Stuart mailing address does not always mean a home is inside the City of Stuart limits. Zoning, permits and school zones depend on the address, and Martin County's Property Information Lookup shows them.

Ocean view from a Hutchinson Island condominium balcony — The ocean view from a Hutchinson Island condo balcony. Photo - Power Homes Treasure Coast

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Tom's local perspective

Local knowledge from Tom Power

Riverwalk

Great restaurants and live music.

Port Salerno

Fantastic restaurants, and lots of boating and fishing.

Rocky Point

A relaxed, water-oriented community with a friendly, tight-knit neighborhood feel, with single-family homes and waterfront properties.

North River Shores

A peaceful, established residential neighborhood right along the scenic St. Lucie River, with a diverse selection of single-family mid-century and modern ranch homes.

Boats docked at a Port Salerno marina — Two Georges on the Port Salerno waterfront. Photo - Power Homes Treasure Coast

Waterfront Considerations

Water is a big part of life here, and it adds questions worth asking before you buy or list.

Flood zones and insurance. Martin County explains that every property is in a flood zone, that standard homeowner's policies usually exclude flood damage, and that flood insurance is required for federally backed mortgages in Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones beginning with A or V). Look up any address on the county's FEMA Flood Zones Map, and ask about an Elevation Certificate. Talk with an insurance professional early.
Docks, seawalls, boat lifts and other work. Permitting requirements depend on the property's jurisdiction (City of Stuart, Martin County or another applicable authority), plus state and federal agencies where required. Confirm requirements with the applicable authority, and ask whether existing structures were permitted and what condition they are in.
Bridges and boat access. Bridges over the Okeechobee Waterway in Stuart include drawbridges, and the Coast Guard sets their operating rules, which change. Boat owners should check current clearance and opening schedules against their boat's height.
Storm and tide planning. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and evacuation zones differ from flood zones. The county also posts King Tide advisories in the fall.

Downtown Stuart & Getting Outdoors

Historic Downtown Stuart is built around the river. The Riverwalk boardwalk runs behind City Hall, and Flagler Park offers a playground, pavilions, a lighted fishing pier and boardwalk access. Shepard Park has a boat launch and fishing dock. The downtown business association describes more than 50 locally owned shops, restaurants and galleries, plus the Feed Store Museum and the restored Lyric Theatre.

Martin County manages 75 parks, beaches and causeways, including Sandsprit Park, Halpatiokee Regional Park and Preserve, and Hosford Park. Visit Florida describes Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island as having lifeguards, picnic areas and free parking, beside the Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Bathtub Beach, also on Hutchinson Island, is one of the county's public beaches.

Rocky shoreline at Bathtub Beach on Hutchinson Island — Bathtub Beach on Hutchinson Island. Photo - Power Homes Treasure Coast

Upcoming events downtown

Fall Craft Festival: October 10–11, 2026.
Hobgoblins on Main Street: October 24, 2026.
Fall Sidewalk Sale: November 7–8, 2026.
Weekly: Market on Main (Sundays, Flagler Park; seasonal hours) and Rock'n Riverwalk (Sundays, 1–4 p.m.; subject to change). Calendars: Discover Martin and Rock'n Riverwalk.

Getting Around & Schools

Martin County's Marty bus system runs fixed routes on weekdays, typically 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a commuter route toward Palm Beach County. It is currently fare-free. By road, downtown Stuart is about 40 miles from West Palm Beach and roughly 11 to 15 miles from Port St. Lucie, so test your own route.

Stuart is served by the Martin County School District. Assigned schools follow attendance zones based on the home's address, and boundaries can change. Check the district's Attendance Boundaries page and confirm with the district for any property.

Let's Talk About Stuart

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Questions about a property or area? Call Tom at 772-678-9610, email tomnpower@kw.com, or send an inquiry.