Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Fernandina Beach?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Fernandina Beach 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 Fernandina Beach: City of Fernandina Beach Building Department (Community Development) issues its own permits; online permitting available.
Florida and local notes for Fernandina Beach
Nassau County's own permitting office is the Nassau County Building Department, reachable on (904) 530-6250 at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/136/Building-Department. Its online permit portal is https://nassaucitizens.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx. 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. Fernandina Beach's adopted list of work exempt from permit (Code section 22-29, FBC Section 105.2 as enacted by the city) does not include sheds, and the city publishes no shed size exemption. Under LDC 5.01.03, a detached accessory building in a residential district must sit behind the front facade of the house, at least three feet from the side and rear lot lines, no taller than 25 feet, and no larger than 625 square feet. A lot may have no more than two detached accessory buildings besides one accessory dwelling unit. LDC 5.01.08 bars sheds and storage buildings from any easement, and LDC 5.01.03 requires accessory structures to count toward impervious surface and stormwater calculations. In a historic district or the CRA, sheds appear on the Certificate of Approval Matrix in LDC 8.03.03, and the certificate is needed before a permit is issued.
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
- City of Fernandina Beach building permit applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing the shed, setbacks, and impervious surfaceLikely required
- Certificate of Approval (historic district or CRA properties)Sometimes required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Foundation or anchoring inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Fernandina Beach?
- Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Fernandina Beach is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Fernandina Beach?
- The local building department for Fernandina Beach 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.