Building Permits in Jacksonville

Jacksonville requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, and repair work affecting structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Permits are issued by the Building Inspection Division (BID) within the City of Jacksonville's Planning and Development Department.

As a consolidated city-county government with Duval County, Jacksonville's BID has jurisdiction over the entire consolidated city — one of the largest city areas by land in the contiguous United States. The division processes approximately 9,000 permits per month.

Jacksonville enforces the Florida Building Code (FBC), 8th Edition (2023), a statewide code adopted by the Florida Building Commission under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). All permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024 must comply with this edition.

When You Need a Permit

You generally need a Jacksonville building permit for:

• New construction, additions, and accessory structures (including ADUs)
• Structural alterations, load-bearing wall changes, and foundation work
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) changes
• Reroofing and window or door openings in exterior walls
• Swimming pools, spas, and retaining walls above a height threshold
• Demolition of any habitable structure
• Changes of use or certificates of use conversions
• Tree mitigation work subject to city requirements

Minor cosmetic work (interior painting, floor coverings, cabinet replacement without plumbing or electrical changes) is typically exempt under the Florida Building Code. Always verify with the Building Inspection Division before starting work.

JaxEPICS — The Online Permitting Portal

JaxEPICS (Jacksonville Electronic Permitting Inspection and Contractor System) is the City's mandatory online platform for building permits. Online electronic submission is now required for all permit types — paper submissions are no longer accepted for most projects.

Through JaxEPICS you can:

• Submit permit applications for all project types
• Upload construction documents for plan review
• Pay permit fees online
• Track application and permit status in real time
• Receive notifications on desktop or mobile devices
• Request and track inspections

The portal is available at jaxepics.coj.net. For assistance, contact the Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500, Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., located at the Ed Ball Building, 214 North Hogan Street, 2nd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32202.

Permit Costs

Jacksonville permit fees are based on project valuation and permit type. The City publishes a comprehensive fee schedule through the Planning and Development Department. Typical fee categories include:

• Building permit fee — scaled to project valuation
• Plan review fee — a percentage of the building permit fee
• Trade permit fees — separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
• Impact fees — for new construction or added square footage (varies by utility district and project type)

Do not rely on third-party fee estimates. Always consult the current Jacksonville Building Inspection Division fee schedule before submitting an application, as rates are subject to change.

Typical Timeline

Timelines vary with BID workload and project complexity. Second and subsequent correction cycles are typically shorter if the applicant fully addresses all review comments.

The Process

1. Pre-submittal: Confirm zoning on the JaxGIS Duval Property Map and review applicable Florida Building Code requirements and local ordinances (Title V)
2. Notice of Commencement: For projects meeting Florida Statutes §713.13 thresholds, prepare a notarized Notice of Commencement before breaking ground
3. Plans: Prepare construction drawings stamped by a Florida-licensed architect or engineer where required by the FBC
4. Submit via JaxEPICS: Create an account, upload documents, and pay fees through the online portal
5. Plan review: BID disciplines (building, structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire) review for FBC compliance and local ordinance requirements
6. Corrections: Respond to review comments and resubmit revised documents through JaxEPICS
7. Permit issuance: Pay any remaining fees and receive the approved permit
8. Post Notice of Commencement: File with the Duval County Clerk and post a certified copy on the job site before requesting the first inspection
9. Inspections: Request required inspections at each construction phase through JaxEPICS or by phone
10. Final and Certificate of Use: Pass final inspection and, where applicable, receive a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Use

Inspections

Jacksonville's Building Inspection Division conducts inspections across multiple trades. Typical stages for a residential project include:

• Footing / foundation
• Slab (electrical and plumbing under slab)
• Underground plumbing and electrical
• Framing
• Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
• Insulation
• Roof sheathing
• Drywall / cover-up
• Final building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical

Specialty inspections are also conducted for swimming pools, roofing, signs, landscape, and accessibility compliance.

How to schedule: Request through JaxEPICS online or call (904) 255-8500, option 4 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). A filed and posted Notice of Commencement is required on-site before the first inspection.

Common Reasons for Denial or Corrections

• Plans don't meet the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) requirements
• Missing structural calculations, energy compliance documentation, or Florida-licensed design-professional stamps
• Zoning conflicts (setbacks, height, lot coverage, use) under Jacksonville's Chapter 656 Zoning Code
• Missing or improperly executed Notice of Commencement
• Incomplete submittal or missing documents in JaxEPICS
• Fire and Rescue plan review not completed for applicable project types
• Flood zone requirements not addressed (Jacksonville has significant FEMA-designated flood zones)
• Historic district or overlay review not completed
• Missing utility clearances or tree mitigation documentation

Official Sources

Always verify current requirements with the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division and the JaxEPICS portal before starting any project. See the sources listed in the frontmatter for direct links to BID, JaxEPICS, the Jacksonville Code of Ordinances (Municode), and the Florida Building Code.

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available information from official City of Jacksonville and State of Florida sources and is provided for general orientation only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Building code and permitting requirements change — always confirm current rules with the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500 or through the official portals before submitting plans or starting construction.