Florida Permit Desk

Jacksonville / Duval County Permits: Search by Address and Common Jobs

Last verified against official sources: · County guide

Independent guide, not a government site. Confirm every requirement with the building office for your address before starting work. Items marked Unverified could not be confirmed on an official page.
Office (City of Jacksonville, i.e. most of Duval County)City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division
AddressEd Ball Building, 2nd Floor, 214 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone904-255-8500 · BIDDocuments@coj.net
HoursMonday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed most federal holidays)
Online permit searchJaxEPICS (use Guest Sign In to search by address)

Short answer: In most of Duval County, building permits come from the City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division, because the City and County are one consolidated government.[2] The four other cities in the county, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Baldwin, run their own building departments.[2] You can look up Jacksonville permits by address in JaxEPICS using the Guest Sign In.[3]

Who issues permits for your address

The City says its Building Inspection Division's authority is limited to the City of Jacksonville, and that Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and the Town of Baldwin have their own building and zoning codes and enforcement.[2] So:

  • Anywhere in Duval County outside those four cities: City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division.
  • Inside Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach or Baldwin: that city's own office (see the table at the bottom).

A "Jacksonville" mailing address doesn't settle it. If you're near the beaches, confirm which city limits your property is in before you apply. Unverified (We did not find an official City page explaining how to read the jurisdiction from a Duval parcel record, so ask the office if unsure.)

How to search permits by address

  • Open JaxEPICS and choose "Guest Sign In". Then use "Search for" (top left) and search Property by Address.[3]
  • In the results, the address number opens the permits and code-enforcement details for that property, and the permit number opens the permit itself. The CV tab shows complaints and violations.[3]
  • The City says the same search can be used to print Certificates of Occupancy and research permit details.[3] For older records, email the Archives section at BIDArchives@coj.net.[3]
  • You can also track scheduled inspections by permit number, confirmation number or address.[19]

What the JaxEPICS statuses mean

From the City's guide to common statuses:[7]

Status Meaning
Active Permit issued; work may begin and inspections can be scheduled.
Finalized All work and required inspections done; permit closed and a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion issued.
Finalized-NIF A permit that needed no inspections; closed once fees and documents are in.
Cancelled No work was done after issue; closed.
Expired For permits issued since 1998: work started but stalled or was abandoned. These are considered open. Before 1998 the status was used for permits with no Certificate of Occupancy, and staff have to research whether they are still open.
Void Discontinued by the applicant before the permit was issued.

If you're checking a property for open permits, the City also suggests calling the Municipal Code Compliance Division (904-255-7000) about property safety issues and abatement liens, and JEA (904-665-6000) about utility holds.[3]

Common jobs: what the City says needs a permit

The City's FAQ says a permit is needed for any construction that physically changes or adds structures to your property, or work regulated by local codes, including:[4]

  • Re-roofs, garage conversions and exterior stucco
  • Water heater replacement and other plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems, air-conditioning units, new electrical service and rewiring
  • Room additions, patio covers and swimming pools
  • Moving or demolishing a building, or changing its use
  • Wood stoves, central heat, wall heaters and wood or gas fireplaces

No permit needed (per the City):[4][5]

  • Patio slabs
  • Replacing plumbing fixtures after the stop, except water heaters
  • Stopping leaks and clearing drain stoppages that don't involve replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures
  • Plugging in portable heaters, fans, coolers and evaporative coolers
  • Replacing a part inside a single piece of equipment
  • Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 lb or less of refrigerant and motors of 1 hp or less

A few job-specific notes

  • Windows and doors: the City publishes a Window and Door Replacement Worksheet for property owners to complete; licensed contractors enter the same details in JaxEPICS.[9]
  • Sheds: sheds need a permit. Sheds 150 sq ft or larger need signed and sealed structural drawings and product approval sheets, and sheds 150 sq ft or larger or over $5,000 go through plan review. Smaller, cheaper sheds can be issued during your visit. If the lot has a well or septic system, the Health Department must approve the site plan first.[6]
  • Replacing an electric A/C system (owner request): the City has adopted a rule that lets a single-family owner ask to waive the inspections on a permitted replacement of existing electric one- and two-family HVAC equipment, for work up to $5,000. The request must be notarized, and it is recorded in the property's permit history. The permit itself is still required.[10]

Work under $7,500 (state exemption)

Since 1 July 2026, state law says a local government must exempt a single-family owner, or the owner's contractor, from a building permit for work under $7,500. It doesn't cover electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work, or property in a flood hazard area, and you must make a written request with the contract or other proof of value.[12] Unverified (We did not find a City of Jacksonville page or form explaining how it takes these requests; ask the Division at 904-255-8500.)

Applying and owner-builder permits

  • Online submission is required for all permit types through JaxEPICS, and you need a JaxEPICS account to submit.[1] Contractors register by emailing a registration form to BIDRegistrations@coj.net.[7]
  • Homeowners: the City says a homeowner may permit work on their primary residence if it is not for sale or rent and their name is on the deed. The homeowner must appear in person at the Building Inspection Division, 214 N. Hogan St., Room 280 (904-255-8500, option 4), and sign an Owner's Affidavit. For work on an existing home, proof of homestead exemption must go with the affidavit.[5]
  • Licensed contractors you hire for electrical, plumbing, mechanical or roofing work pull their own permits, tied to your permit.[5]
  • Starting work without first applying for a permit is unlawful and the City lists a $250 fine. Post the permit where it can be seen from the street.[5]

State law lets an owner act as their own contractor for a one- or two-family home for the owner's own use and occupancy, and presumes a violation if the property is sold or leased within one year of completion.[13]

Two things to confirm with the City. (1) The City's homeowner page requires a primary residence and proof of homestead exemption;[5] the state statute says "own use and occupancy".[13] (2) The Division's home page says online submission is required for all permit types,[1] while its homeowner and shed pages describe an in-person visit to Room 280.[5][6] Call 904-255-8500 before you go.

Notice of Commencement

State law requires a recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection when the direct contract is over $5,000, except repair or replacement of an existing heating or air-conditioning system under $15,000.[14] The City says a copy of the recorded notice must reach the Division before you request any inspection, and you can record it at the Clerk of Courts (501 W. Adams St.) or at the Clerk's office inside the Building Inspection Division at 214 N. Hogan St.[5][6] Filed notices can be emailed to BIDDocuments@coj.net.[3]

How long a permit lasts

Sources differ. The City's FAQ says permits are good for 180 days.[4] Since 2026, state law says a building permit for a single-family dwelling expires 1 year after issue, or on the effective date of the next Florida Building Code edition, whichever is later.[12] Check the expiration date printed on your permit.

Inspections can be requested online in JaxEPICS or by phone at 904-255-8500 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays; a failed inspection carries a reinspection fee.[4][19]

Contacts

Need Contact
Permits and inspections (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) 904-255-8500 · BIDDocuments@coj.net[8]
Homeowner permits (in person) 214 N. Hogan St., Room 280 · 904-255-8500, option 4[5]
Old permits and Certificates of Occupancy BIDArchives@coj.net[3]
Zoning (what you can build, setbacks) 904-255-8300 · Zoning@coj.net[8]
Driveways, right-of-way, site work 904-255-8310 · ReviewGrp@coj.net[8]
HVAC inspection-exemption requests BIDMechanical@coj.net[10]

To check a contractor, use DBPR's state license search and the City's Duval County license (CTQB) search for locally registered and specialty contractors.[11][18] Our guide on checking a contractor's license explains the statuses.

Other municipalities in Duval County (4)

These cities have their own building code enforcement, per the City of Jacksonville.[2] Contact details come from each city's own website (October 2026).

Municipality Who handles building permits Phone / email
Atlantic Beach City Building Division, 800 Seminole Road; applications online only through BS&A Online 904-247-5800 · Building-Dept@coab.us[15]
Jacksonville Beach Planning & Development, Building Inspection Division, City Hall, 11 North 3rd Street 904-247-6235[17]
Neptune Beach Building Department, 116 First Street 904-270-2400; inspection requests 904-270-2430[16]
Baldwin Town of Baldwin Unverified (the Town's website did not load when we checked; contact Town Hall)

Common questions

Does the City of Jacksonville issue permits for all of Duval County?

No. Jacksonville is a consolidated city-county government, but the City says its Building Inspection Division's authority is limited to the City of Jacksonville. Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and the Town of Baldwin run their own building code enforcement.[2]

Do I need an account to look up a permit in JaxEPICS?

No account of your own. The City says to use the "Guest Sign In", then search for the property by address. You do need a JaxEPICS account to submit a permit.[3][1]

Can I pull my own permit in Jacksonville?

The City says a homeowner may permit work on their primary residence if it is not for sale or rent and their name is on the deed. You must appear in person at 214 N. Hogan St., Room 280, sign an Owner's Affidavit, and, for work on an existing home, bring proof of homestead exemption.[5]

What does "Expired" mean on an old Jacksonville permit?

For permits issued since 1998, the City says Expired means work started but stalled or was abandoned, and the permit is considered open. Before 1998, the status was used for permits with no Certificate of Occupancy, and staff must research whether those are still open.[7]

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 22 October 2026.

  1. City of Jacksonville: Building Inspection Division
  2. City of Jacksonville BID: Commercial Permitting (enforcement area and other Duval municipalities)
  3. City of Jacksonville BID: Services Provided (violation or permit record search)
  4. City of Jacksonville BID: Frequently Asked Questions
  5. City of Jacksonville BID: Residential Permits (homeowner permitting, NOC, permit-exempt work)
  6. City of Jacksonville BID: Residential Shed Permit
  7. City of Jacksonville BID: Online/Electronic Permit Submission (JaxEPICS statuses)
  8. City of Jacksonville BID: Contact Us
  9. City of Jacksonville BID: Checklists, Forms and Documents
  10. City of Jacksonville BID: Property Owner Request for Inspection Exemption for Replacement of One- and Two-Family HVAC Equipment (PDF, rev. 3/26/2026)
  11. City of Jacksonville BID: Contractor License and Complaint Search
  12. Florida Statutes § 553.79 (2026), Permits; applications; issuance; inspections
  13. Florida Statutes § 489.103 (2026), Exemptions (owner-builder)
  14. Florida Statutes § 713.135 (2026), Notice of commencement and applicability of lien
  15. City of Atlantic Beach: Building Division
  16. City of Neptune Beach: Planning & Community Development (Building Department)
  17. City of Jacksonville Beach: Frequently Asked Questions (Building Inspection Division)
  18. Florida DBPR: License search
  19. City of Jacksonville BID: Inspections