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Jacksonville Building Permit Guide
Francis Thumpasery
Last updated:
May 16, 2025
Jacksonville’s growth engine is in high gear. Whether you build single-family homes, manage commercial TI work, or run high-volume trades in Florida, construction can’t start until the permit is squared away.
This guide distills the essentials of Jacksonville permitting so your crew spends less time chasing signatures and more time on site.
Simplify permitting in Jacksonville with PermitFlow. Learn more here.
What requires a building permit in Jacksonville?
The City of Jacksonville’s Building Inspection Division (BID) enforces the Florida Building Code and issues most construction permits in the city and across Duval County.
Generally speaking, you’ll need a permit for:
- Structural work: New buildings, additions, tenant build-outs, load-bearing changes, roofing, moving buildings, and demolition
- Systems: Electrical service upgrades, mechanical or HVAC equipment, boilers, and any plumbing alterations
- Site & accessory: Pools, signs, fences over 7 feet tall, retaining walls, tree removal tied to site clearing, and protected tree work
You won’t need a permit for projects like:
- Patio slabs
- Plumbing fixture replacements (excluding water heaters)
- Stopping plumbing leaks
- Clearing most drain stoppages
- Installing portable heating and cooling equipment
- Replacing any part within a single piece of equipment
- Work on self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant
Who issues Jacksonville building permits?
The Jacksonville Building Inspection Division (within the Planning and Development Department) oversees all permitting in Jacksonville. They’re responsible for vertical construction permitting, building inspections, and inspections of permitted construction.
Jacksonville building permit costs
Below is a quick-reference snapshot of the City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division (BID) fees. Use it to ballpark budgets and set client expectations before you submit.
Need the full line-item schedule? See Section 320.409 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code.
New buildings & major additions
| Scope (per story) |
Core BID fee |
City surcharges |
Plan review |
| Enclosed area – ≤ 4 stories (per 100 sf) |
$6.38 |
- Resource management: $1.60
- Landscape: 12% of BID
- Development services: $2.13
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Enclosed area – > 4 stories (per 100 sf) |
$6.94 |
- Resource management: $1.60
- Landscape: 12% of BID
- Development services: $2.13
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Unenclosed area (per 100 sf) |
$0.75 |
- Resource management: $0.16
- Landscape: 12% of BID
- Development services: $0.25
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| C&D debris (residential) |
$8.75 / 100 sf |
— |
— |
| C&D debris (non-residential) |
$0.90 / $1k cost |
— |
— |
Other common project types:
| Project type |
How the fee is calculated |
Key numbers |
Plan review |
| Large single-story storage (> 40 ksf) |
per 100 sf |
$6.38 ≤ 40 ksf
$4.69 > 40 ksf
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Foundation-only permits |
25% of full BID fee |
Development services = 8% of BID |
67% of BID (min $90) |
| New construction other than buildings (tanks, retaining walls, etc.) |
per $1k cost |
$1.88 ≤ $500k → $0.56 > $500k |
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Alterations / tenant build-out |
$3.00 / $1k cost |
Resource management: $0.65
Development services: $1.00
|
67% of BID (min $75) |
Trade & specialty highlights:
| Work category |
Flat / unit fee |
Notes |
| Roofing (per 1,000 sf) |
$10.00 |
Min $80 (no inspection) or $150 (≥1 inspection) |
| Window / door replacement |
$4.00 / $1k cost |
Min $80 (no inspection) or $150 (≥1 inspection) |
| In-ground pool |
$1.50 / 1,000 gal |
+ Resource mgmt $0.50, Dev. Services $0.50, C&D $25 |
| Demolition – single-family |
$37.50 BID + Dev. Services $12.50 |
C&D debris $400 / 1,000 sf |
| Demolition – commercial |
$1.31 / 1,000 sf |
+ Resource mgmt $0.30, Dev. Services $0.44, C&D $400 |
Pro tip: Starting work before the permit is issued triggers an automatic double-fee penalty — and can halt inspections until fines are paid. Keep your schedule (and cash flow) intact by filing early.
How long do Jacksonville building permits stay active?
Permits are valid for 180 days. Each passed inspection resets the clock for another 180 days. Extensions are discretionary and must be requested in writing before expiration.
How to get a building permit in Jacksonville
Step 1: Confirm project requirements
Start by checking whether the scope of your project triggers a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or specialty permit from the City of Jacksonville BID.
Step 2: Gather documentation
Prepare a complete, error-free Jacksonville building permit application:
- Application form generated in JaxEPICS, the city’s permitting portal.
- Digitally sealed architectural, structural, and MEP plans
- Site plan and boundary surveys
- Energy-code compliance documents (FBC 8th Ed.)
- Product approvals / NOAs and flood certificates where required
Step 3: Submit application and pay fees
In Jacksonville, all permit application packages must be submitted online through the city’s permitting portal called JaxEPICS.
Log into the portal, attach PDFs, and pay the calculated BID fees. Your status will change to In Review once payment posts.
Step 4: Navigate concurrent plan reviews
BID, the Fire Marshal, Public Health, and Development Services review simultaneously. If a reviewer issues comments, the file shifts to Return for Corrections. Upload revisions promptly to keep your project moving along.
Note: As of May 2025, the Jacksonville BID states that the average first review of a building permit takes 25-30 business days. Resubmissions are reviewed in 10 business days or less.
Step 5: Permit issuance
When all departments sign off and final fees are cleared, download the permit placard from JaxEPICS and post it on site before mobilizing.
Step 6: Schedule inspections
Book inspections through the JaxEPICS dashboard or by calling (904) 255-8500 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final.
Before any inspection is performed, you must post the permit and the notice of commencement on the job site. Make sure construction documents are readily available in a weatherproof container, too.
Jacksonville permitting resources
For assistance and more information, please refer to the following resources:
Contact information:
- Address: Ed Ball Building at 214 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 (2nd floor)
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Phone: (904) 255-8500
For general assistance with building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits:
For general zoning questions:
- Call 904-255-8300
- Email Zoning@coj.net
- Visit Ed Ball Building, 214 North Hogan Street, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32202
For right-of-way, driveway permit, or site development questions:
For mobility fee or "impact" fee questions:
Streamline Jacksonville permitting with PermitFlow
PermitFlow combines nationwide jurisdiction research, effortless permit applications, and real-time tracking so you can ditch the red tape and save time.
Builders, GCs, developers, home services contractors, and other construction businesses choose PermitFlow for:
- Local code accuracy: Our permitting experts understand the ins and outs of every jurisdiction you work in.
- Central dashboard: Keep all permitting documentation neatly organized in one place, where your entire team can access it.
- Faster approvals: Cleaner applications mean fewer corrections and shorter review cycles.
Ready to move from waiting to working? Talk with our permitting experts and see how PermitFlow slashes timelines in Jacksonville and every other municipality on your roadmap.
Jacksonville’s growth engine is in high gear. Whether you build single-family homes, manage commercial TI work, or run high-volume trades in Florida, construction can’t start until the permit is squared away.
This guide distills the essentials of Jacksonville permitting so your crew spends less time chasing signatures and more time on site.
Simplify permitting in Jacksonville with PermitFlow. Learn more here.
What requires a building permit in Jacksonville?
The City of Jacksonville’s Building Inspection Division (BID) enforces the Florida Building Code and issues most construction permits in the city and across Duval County.
Generally speaking, you’ll need a permit for:
- Structural work: New buildings, additions, tenant build-outs, load-bearing changes, roofing, moving buildings, and demolition
- Systems: Electrical service upgrades, mechanical or HVAC equipment, boilers, and any plumbing alterations
- Site & accessory: Pools, signs, fences over 7 feet tall, retaining walls, tree removal tied to site clearing, and protected tree work
You won’t need a permit for projects like:
- Patio slabs
- Plumbing fixture replacements (excluding water heaters)
- Stopping plumbing leaks
- Clearing most drain stoppages
- Installing portable heating and cooling equipment
- Replacing any part within a single piece of equipment
- Work on self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds or less of refrigerant
Who issues Jacksonville building permits?
The Jacksonville Building Inspection Division (within the Planning and Development Department) oversees all permitting in Jacksonville. They’re responsible for vertical construction permitting, building inspections, and inspections of permitted construction.
Jacksonville building permit costs
Below is a quick-reference snapshot of the City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division (BID) fees. Use it to ballpark budgets and set client expectations before you submit.
Need the full line-item schedule? See Section 320.409 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code.
New buildings & major additions
| Scope (per story) |
Core BID fee |
City surcharges |
Plan review |
| Enclosed area – ≤ 4 stories (per 100 sf) |
$6.38 |
- Resource management: $1.60
- Landscape: 12% of BID
- Development services: $2.13
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Enclosed area – > 4 stories (per 100 sf) |
$6.94 |
- Resource management: $1.60
- Landscape: 12% of BID
- Development services: $2.13
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Unenclosed area (per 100 sf) |
$0.75 |
- Resource management: $0.16
- Landscape: 12% of BID
- Development services: $0.25
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| C&D debris (residential) |
$8.75 / 100 sf |
— |
— |
| C&D debris (non-residential) |
$0.90 / $1k cost |
— |
— |
Other common project types:
| Project type |
How the fee is calculated |
Key numbers |
Plan review |
| Large single-story storage (> 40 ksf) |
per 100 sf |
$6.38 ≤ 40 ksf
$4.69 > 40 ksf
|
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Foundation-only permits |
25% of full BID fee |
Development services = 8% of BID |
67% of BID (min $90) |
| New construction other than buildings (tanks, retaining walls, etc.) |
per $1k cost |
$1.88 ≤ $500k → $0.56 > $500k |
67% of BID (min $90) |
| Alterations / tenant build-out |
$3.00 / $1k cost |
Resource management: $0.65
Development services: $1.00
|
67% of BID (min $75) |
Trade & specialty highlights:
| Work category |
Flat / unit fee |
Notes |
| Roofing (per 1,000 sf) |
$10.00 |
Min $80 (no inspection) or $150 (≥1 inspection) |
| Window / door replacement |
$4.00 / $1k cost |
Min $80 (no inspection) or $150 (≥1 inspection) |
| In-ground pool |
$1.50 / 1,000 gal |
+ Resource mgmt $0.50, Dev. Services $0.50, C&D $25 |
| Demolition – single-family |
$37.50 BID + Dev. Services $12.50 |
C&D debris $400 / 1,000 sf |
| Demolition – commercial |
$1.31 / 1,000 sf |
+ Resource mgmt $0.30, Dev. Services $0.44, C&D $400 |
Pro tip: Starting work before the permit is issued triggers an automatic double-fee penalty — and can halt inspections until fines are paid. Keep your schedule (and cash flow) intact by filing early.
How long do Jacksonville building permits stay active?
Permits are valid for 180 days. Each passed inspection resets the clock for another 180 days. Extensions are discretionary and must be requested in writing before expiration.
How to get a building permit in Jacksonville
Step 1: Confirm project requirements
Start by checking whether the scope of your project triggers a building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or specialty permit from the City of Jacksonville BID.
Step 2: Gather documentation
Prepare a complete, error-free Jacksonville building permit application:
- Application form generated in JaxEPICS, the city’s permitting portal.
- Digitally sealed architectural, structural, and MEP plans
- Site plan and boundary surveys
- Energy-code compliance documents (FBC 8th Ed.)
- Product approvals / NOAs and flood certificates where required
Step 3: Submit application and pay fees
In Jacksonville, all permit application packages must be submitted online through the city’s permitting portal called JaxEPICS.
Log into the portal, attach PDFs, and pay the calculated BID fees. Your status will change to In Review once payment posts.
Step 4: Navigate concurrent plan reviews
BID, the Fire Marshal, Public Health, and Development Services review simultaneously. If a reviewer issues comments, the file shifts to Return for Corrections. Upload revisions promptly to keep your project moving along.
Note: As of May 2025, the Jacksonville BID states that the average first review of a building permit takes 25-30 business days. Resubmissions are reviewed in 10 business days or less.
Step 5: Permit issuance
When all departments sign off and final fees are cleared, download the permit placard from JaxEPICS and post it on site before mobilizing.
Step 6: Schedule inspections
Book inspections through the JaxEPICS dashboard or by calling (904) 255-8500 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final.
Before any inspection is performed, you must post the permit and the notice of commencement on the job site. Make sure construction documents are readily available in a weatherproof container, too.
Jacksonville permitting resources
For assistance and more information, please refer to the following resources:
Contact information:
- Address: Ed Ball Building at 214 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 (2nd floor)
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Phone: (904) 255-8500
For general assistance with building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits:
For general zoning questions:
- Call 904-255-8300
- Email Zoning@coj.net
- Visit Ed Ball Building, 214 North Hogan Street, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32202
For right-of-way, driveway permit, or site development questions:
For mobility fee or "impact" fee questions:
Streamline Jacksonville permitting with PermitFlow
PermitFlow combines nationwide jurisdiction research, effortless permit applications, and real-time tracking so you can ditch the red tape and save time.
Builders, GCs, developers, home services contractors, and other construction businesses choose PermitFlow for:
- Local code accuracy: Our permitting experts understand the ins and outs of every jurisdiction you work in.
- Central dashboard: Keep all permitting documentation neatly organized in one place, where your entire team can access it.
- Faster approvals: Cleaner applications mean fewer corrections and shorter review cycles.
Ready to move from waiting to working? Talk with our permitting experts and see how PermitFlow slashes timelines in Jacksonville and every other municipality on your roadmap.
