Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Jacksonville?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Jacksonville is no exception.
Florida has no statewide small-shed exemption. The widely repeated rule that a shed under 120 square feet needs no permit comes from the model International Codes, and Florida did not adopt it: section 105.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building exempts only specified gas, mechanical and plumbing work, with no category exempting detached accessory structures. Where a size threshold exists it is a local ordinance, and it genuinely differs, so ask your building department for the line that applies at your address. Any shed with electricity, plumbing or a permanent foundation needs a permit regardless of size, and zoning setbacks, flood zone rules and wind anchoring apply even when no building permit is required.
Local detail for Jacksonville: Consolidated city-county government.
Florida and local notes for Jacksonville
Duval County's own permitting office is the Duval County Building Inspection Division, reachable on 904-255-8500 at https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/public-works/building-inspection-division. Its online permit portal is https://jaxepics.coj.net/. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Florida municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed. A detached residential shed or accessory structure requires a permit from the City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division; sheds under 150 square feet and under $5,000 can be issued the same day once other approvals are met, but sheds 150 square feet or larger require plan review plus structural drawings signed and sealed by a Florida licensed design professional. In most residential zoning districts an accessory structure can sit as close as 5 feet from the rear and side property lines with a maximum height of 15 feet, but confirm your zoning district and setbacks with the city before building. Missing a required inspection can result in the property being locked down, and applications are filed through the JaxEPICS portal at jaxepics.coj.net.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacksLikely required
- Structure dimensions or manufacturer drawingsSometimes required
- Anchoring or tie-down detailsSometimes required
- Permit or zoning applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacks and distance to lot linesLikely required
- Anchoring or tie-down details for wind loadSometimes required
- Residential shed / accessory structure permit application through the JaxEPICS online portalRequired
- Site plan showing the structure size, location, distance to property lines, and shed height (grade to peak of roof)Required
- Structural design drawings signed and sealed by a Florida licensed design professional for sheds 150 square feet or largerSometimes required
- Product Approval information sheets for sheds 150 square feet or largerSometimes required
- Notice of Commencement, recorded when the project costs $5,000 or moreSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Slab inspection before concrete placement where a slab is poured
- Final building inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Jacksonville?
- Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Jacksonville is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Jacksonville?
- The local building department for Jacksonville handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.