County building permit guide
Duval County, Florida building permits — complete guide (2026)
Duval County and the City of Jacksonville are consolidated into one government - Jacksonville covers the entire county, making it one of the largest cities by area in the contiguous US. The JaxEPICS portal handles all permits for unincorporated Duval County and most city functions. Four independent beach cities (Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Baldwin) have their own departments.
Avg cost: $125-$750
Processing: 2-6 weeks
~40K permits/yr
Consolidated city-county
$125-$750Avg permit cost
2-6 weeksProcessing time
40,000Permits/year
Partial (SB 1586)ADU-friendly
Ready to apply for your Duval County, Florida permit?
Consolidated city-county government. JaxEPICS handles most permits. Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Baldwin each have their own departments.
Apply via JaxEPICS Portal ↗
Duval County, Florida Building Department
JaxEPICS Portal Available
City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division
(904) 255-8300
Mon–Fri 7:30am–4:00pm ET
214 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
JaxEPICS Online Portal
Jacksonville has consolidated city-county government. The City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division handles permits for most of Duval County. Independent beach cities (Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach) are separate.
Permit fees — Duval County, Florida, 2026
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Construction | $400-$2,200 | 3-8 weeks | FBC; strong growth; JaxEPICS online submission streamlines process |
| Roofing | $125-$500 | 2-5 days | High volume; one of FL's faster roof permit approvals; wind mitigation after |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $100-$280 | 2-5 days | Separate mechanical permit; JaxEPICS online; fast processing |
| Electrical | $100-$275 | 2-5 days | Separate electrical permit; JaxEPICS; 1-3 day simple approvals |
| Plumbing | $75-$250 | 2-5 days | Separate plumbing permit; water heater same-day approval available |
| Pool / Spa | $250-$900 | 3-7 weeks | Barrier fence required; electrical + plumbing sub-permits; popular |
| Room Addition | $300-$1,400 | 3-7 weeks | Wind-borne debris zone; impact openings; structural plans required |
| ADU | $225-$750 | 3-6 weeks | SB 1586 applies; large land area creates ADU opportunity in Jax |
| Windows / Doors | $75-$325 | 2-5 days | Impact-rated required in coastal wind zone |
| Solar | $75-$300 | 1-2 weeks | Growing; JaxEPICS online submission; FL Product Approval required |
| Fence | $50-$150 | 2-4 days | JaxEPICS online; faster than most FL counties for simple permits |
| Demolition | $125-$500 | 1-2 weeks | Asbestos survey required pre-1978; utility disconnect required |
How to get a permit in Duval County, Florida
1
Use JaxEPICS for most Duval permits
The consolidated Jax city-county government means JaxEPICS at jaxepics.coj.net handles permits for most of Duval County. Beach cities are exceptions.
2
Beach cities are separate
If you're in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, or Neptune Beach, you apply to that city's own building department - not JaxEPICS. Baldwin (far west) also has its own department.
3
JaxEPICS is one of FL's better portals
JaxEPICS supports online applications, fee payment, plan submission, inspection scheduling, and permit status tracking. Simple permits (re-roof, HVAC, water heater) are often approved within 2-5 business days.
4
Plan for separate trade permits
Building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) are separate permit applications. JaxEPICS handles all four online.
5
Flood zones in river corridors
The St. Johns River and its tributaries create significant flood zone exposure in Duval County. Check your flood zone before designing additions near waterways.
6
Wind mitigation inspection
After any new roof installation, schedule a wind mitigation inspection. North Florida insurance rates are rising - this report can save $500-$1,500/year.
Jurisdictions within Duval County, Florida
Special zone requirements
Wind-Borne Debris Region
Coastal areas and most of county
Impact-rated products required for new construction and significant renovations near coast.
FEMA Flood Zones
St. Johns River corridor, coastal areas
St. Johns River creates extensive inland flood zones. Many neighborhoods in west Jax have significant flood exposure.
Coastal Construction Control Line
Atlantic Ocean shoreline
FDEP permits required for beach-adjacent construction. Beach city properties frequently in CCCL zone.
Frequently asked questions — Duval County, Florida
Is Jacksonville the same as Duval County?
Mostly yes. Jacksonville and Duval County consolidated their governments in 1968 - one of the few consolidated city-county governments in the US. This means the City of Jacksonville covers essentially the entire county. However, four smaller cities (Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Baldwin) retained their independent governments and separate building departments.
How does JaxEPICS work?
JaxEPICS (jaxepics.coj.net) is Jacksonville's online permit portal. You can apply for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits, submit plans electronically, pay fees, schedule inspections, and track permit status all online. It's one of Florida's more functional online permit systems with relatively fast processing times.
How fast are permits approved in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is generally one of the faster Florida jurisdictions. Simple permits (re-roofing, AC replacement, water heater) are often approved online within 2-5 business days. New construction plan review takes 3-8 weeks depending on complexity. Express review is available for an additional fee.
Does Jacksonville require wind mitigation inspections?
Wind mitigation inspections are not legally required in Jacksonville but are strongly recommended after any new roof installation. The resulting report can reduce homeowner insurance premiums by $500-$2,500/year in the increasingly expensive north Florida insurance market.
City of Jacksonville Building Inspection 2024 · US Census Bureau BPS