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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Nassau County
Building permits are required for all residential and commercial construction projects in unincorporated Nassau County before work or installation commences.
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from other regulatory requirements. Applicants must verify compliance with zoning, planning, stormwater, and fire requirements. The county publishes a wind-zone page requiring compliance with Florida Building Code Section 1609 for commercial buildings and FBC Residential Section R301.2.1 for residential buildings, plus Nassau County Wind Zone Map 2023.
- Completed master building plan application or commercial application
- Site plan
- Full architectural plans
- Signed and sealed structural plans
- Signed and sealed truss engineering with uplift connector table
- Florida energy forms (Manual J or N)
- Florida product approvals
- Owner-builder affidavit if applicable
- Septic permit or Environmental Health letter
- Public water/sewer availability letter
- Replacement affidavit if replacing existing residence or manufactured home
- Recorded warranty deed
- Recorded notice of commencement
- Approved DRC site engineering
- Preliminary plat approval if applicable
- Fire Rescue approval
- Development Services driveway approval
- Building code
- 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code with 2024 supplements
- Permit validity
- Not specified by county; applicants should confirm with Building Department.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must personally appear and sign the owner-builder disclosure statement in the office. Owner-builders may build or improve one-family or two-family residence or farm outbuilding for their own use; may build or improve commercial building only if costs do not exceed $75,000, subject to statutory restrictions and direct onsite supervision requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Design professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors, etc.) must register first with the county before sending digitally signed and sealed files.
Application process
Typical processing: Plan-review clock starts only after application is properly completed, all checklist items are included, and interdepartmental approvals are in place. Typical processing 10-15 business days after sufficiency confirmation.
- 01 Verify all required approvals from Development Services, Planning, Stormwater Drainage, and Fire Rescue are obtained before submittal.
- 02 Prepare permit application and all required documents as separate unlocked PDF files.
- 03 Email application and documents to permitting@nassaucountyfl.com. Email attachments limited to less than 50 MB; use OneDrive or Dropbox for larger files.
- 04 County staff reviews completeness, performs interdepartmental coordination, and requests revisions via email if needed.
- 05 Pay permit fees once application is approved and sufficiently documented.
- 06 Receive approved permit and documents via email after payment.
- 07 For owner-builders only: schedule in-person appointment to sign owner-builder disclosure statement.
Typical processing time: Plan-review clock starts only after application is properly completed, all checklist items are included, and interdepartmental approvals are in place. Typical processing 10-15 business days after sufficiency confirmation.
Fee schedule
Effective Based on ICC Building Valuation Data; document labeled effective 11/1/09 but incorporates current data
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Based on ICC Building Valuation Data; document labeled effective 11/1/09 but incorporates current data) before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Munis Self Service portal (online)
- 904-530-6250 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests must be submitted before 4:00 PM the prior day for next-workday inspections.
- Inspection hours
- Inspector hours: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Time windows
- Not specified by county
Typical sequence: Not specified by county; applicants should contact Building Department for required inspection sequence.
Not available
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Nassau County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Nassau County, FL? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Nassau County, FL? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Nassau County, FL? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Nassau County, FL? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Nassau County, FL? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Nassau County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.