Jacksonville Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating site plans for building permits in Jacksonville, including consolidated city-county government requirements.

Jacksonville Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Jacksonville, Florida requires meeting specific requirements set by the Building Inspection Division. Jacksonville operates under a consolidated city-county government with Duval County, meaning the Building Inspection Division handles permitting for the entire county. The Zoning Code (Ordinance Code Chapter 656) and Land Development Regulations govern site development.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Jacksonville Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The Building Inspection Division requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the Zoning Code and Florida Building Code (FBC). You can look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS portal at maps.coj.net.

Required Site Plan Elements

Jacksonville requires the following elements on all site plans:

  • Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks from all property lines per Zoning Code Section 656.401
  • Location of all existing structures with square footage, height, and use
  • Proposed construction clearly distinguished from existing structures
  • Finished floor elevation (FFE) relative to Base Flood Elevation
  • Flood zone designation with FEMA panel number
  • Parking spaces per Zoning Code Part 6 (including ADA accessible spaces)
  • Driveways and access points with dimensions and sight triangles
  • Tree survey showing all grand trees (24 inches+ DBH) and specimen trees (12 inches+ DBH)
  • Wetland boundaries if applicable (based on formal delineation)
  • Stormwater management features
  • North arrow and scale
  • Duval County Property Appraiser parcel ID

Jacksonville Zoning and Setback Requirements

Jacksonville's Zoning Code establishes the following common residential setback requirements:

  • RLD-60 (Residential Low Density, 60-foot lots): Front 25 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 35%.
  • RLD-70 (Residential Low Density, 70-foot lots): Front 25 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 35%.
  • RLD-90 (Estate Residential): Front 30 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 30%.
  • RMD-A (Residential Medium Density): Front 20 feet, side 7.5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 40%.
  • Corner lots: Street-side setback equals the front setback of the adjacent property's zone.

Flood Zone Requirements

Jacksonville's coastal and riverine location means flood zones are a critical consideration for most development:

  • FEMA flood zones: AE, VE, AH, AO, and X zones throughout the city. Coastal VE zones face the most restrictive requirements
  • Elevation requirements: New residential construction must be elevated at least 1 foot above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) per the Florida Building Code
  • VE (Coastal High Hazard) zones: Buildings must be elevated on pilings with the lowest horizontal structural member above BFE. No enclosed space below BFE except breakaway walls
  • Substantial improvement: Improvements exceeding 50% of market value trigger full flood compliance including elevation
  • Elevation certificate: Required after construction to verify compliance with flood elevation requirements
  • Your site plan must show the flood zone designation, BFE, proposed FFE, and any proposed filling or grading

Tree Protection Requirements

Jacksonville's Tree Protection Regulations (Ordinance Code Chapter 656, Part 12) protect significant trees:

  • Grand trees: Trees 24 inches+ DBH — the highest level of protection; removal requires a variance from the Planning Commission
  • Specimen trees: Trees 12 inches+ DBH — require mitigation for removal at a 1:1 caliper-inch ratio
  • Heritage trees: Specific species (live oak, magnolia, etc.) at 18 inches+ DBH with additional protections
  • Tree survey: A certified arborist must survey all trees 4 inches+ DBH on the development site
  • Tree protection barriers: Required during construction around all trees to be preserved, shown on the site plan

Wetland and Environmental Regulations

Jacksonville has extensive wetland areas requiring special attention:

  • SJRWMD (St. Johns River Water Management District) permits required for development near wetlands
  • Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit may be required for filling wetlands
  • Wetland delineation: Professional delineation required to establish boundaries before development
  • Buffer zones: Typically 25-75 feet from wetland boundaries depending on wetland type and habitat value
  • Your site plan must show wetland boundaries based on a formal delineation and proposed buffers

Stormwater Management Requirements

Jacksonville requires comprehensive stormwater management:

  • SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permit: Required for projects creating more than 4,000 sq ft of impervious surface or more than 1 acre of disturbance
  • Detention and retention: Required to attenuate post-development runoff to pre-development levels
  • Water quality treatment: Required for all regulated projects using wet detention, dry retention, or approved treatment systems
  • Stormwater utility fees: Monthly fees based on impervious surface area

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Online Portal

Submit through Jacksonville's online permitting portal for electronic plan review. Upload plans in PDF format, pay fees, and track your application status.

In-Person Submission

Walk-in service is available at 214 N. Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 for questions and plan submission.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Plan review fees: Based on project valuation per the Building Inspection fee schedule
  • Building permit fees: Calculated from construction valuation and square footage
  • Impact fees: Transportation, school, fire/rescue, parks, and library impact fees for new construction (vary by location)
  • SJRWMD permit fees: For projects requiring Environmental Resource Permits
  • Timeline: Residential plan review 10-15 business days. Express review available for simple residential. Commercial 20-30 business days. SJRWMD permit review adds 30-60 days.

Creating Your Jacksonville Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Jacksonville property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Building Inspection submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Jacksonville?
In RLD-60 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side setbacks 7.5 feet, and rear setbacks 20 feet with 35% maximum lot coverage. RLD-90 estate lots require 30-foot front, 10-foot side, and 25-foot rear setbacks. Corner lots require the front setback on both street sides. Always verify through the Jacksonville GIS portal at maps.coj.net.
What flood zone requirements affect my site plan?
New residential construction must be elevated at least 1 foot above BFE per the Florida Building Code. VE (Coastal High Hazard) zones require pile construction with the lowest structural member above BFE. Your site plan must show flood zone, FEMA panel number, BFE, and proposed finished floor elevation. An elevation certificate is required after construction.
What tree protection is required on my site plan?
Grand trees (24 inches+ DBH) receive the highest protection and require a Planning Commission variance for removal. Specimen trees (12 inches+ DBH) require 1:1 caliper-inch mitigation. A certified arborist must survey all trees 4 inches+ DBH. Tree protection barriers must be shown on your site plan around preserved trees.
What wetland regulations affect my property?
Development near wetlands requires SJRWMD (St. Johns River Water Management District) permits and potentially Army Corps Section 404 permits. A professional wetland delineation is needed to establish boundaries. Buffer zones of 25-75 feet are typically required. Your site plan must show delineated wetland boundaries and proposed buffers.
How do I submit plans to Jacksonville?
Submit through the online permitting portal for electronic plan review. Upload plans in PDF format, pay fees, and track status online. Walk-in service is at 214 N. Hogan Street. Express review is available for simple residential projects.
What stormwater management is required?
SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for projects creating more than 4,000 sq ft of impervious surface or disturbing more than 1 acre. Detention/retention is required to match pre-development runoff rates. Water quality treatment is required using wet detention, dry retention, or approved systems.
What impact fees will I pay?
Jacksonville charges transportation, school, fire/rescue, parks, and library impact fees for new construction. Fees vary significantly by location within the city/county. Contact the Building Inspection Division for a fee estimate based on your project's location and type.
How long does plan review take?
Residential plan review takes 10-15 business days. Express review is available for simple residential projects. Commercial projects take 20-30 business days. SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permit review adds 30-60 days. Tree variance requests through the Planning Commission add additional time.

How to Create a Site Plan in Jacksonville

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use the Jacksonville GIS portal at maps.coj.net to find your zoning district, flood zone designation with BFE, wetland proximity, and tree protection requirements. Note your Duval County Property Appraiser parcel ID.
  2. Assess Environmental Constraints: Determine flood zone status, wetland boundaries (arrange a professional delineation if near wetlands), tree survey requirements, and SJRWMD permit needs. These constraints can significantly affect buildable area.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Jacksonville address in Site Plan Creator to automatically load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines, flood zone information, and label structures.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes property boundaries, setbacks, finished floor elevation relative to BFE, flood zone, tree survey, wetland boundaries, parking, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Environmental Reports: Prepare a certified arborist tree survey, wetland delineation (if applicable), stormwater management plan, and SJRWMD Environmental Resource Permit application for qualifying projects.
  6. Submit Plans: Upload plans through the online permitting portal. Pay plan review fees and track your application. Submit SJRWMD permit applications separately if required.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments and resubmit corrections. Once approved, pay all fees including impact fees, obtain your building permit, post it on site, and schedule inspections.