ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Jacksonville, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Jacksonville.
You need a building permit and zoning approval to build an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita, or detached unit). An ADU is a new dwelling unit and must be accessory to a conforming single-family dwelling; it may be attached or detached. Florida's exempt list has no Building category, so a new dwelling unit is never exempt from permit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a building permit and zoning approval to build a… |
| Fee | The code lists no dollar amounts. An ADU is new residential floor area billed under the Sec. 320.409 permit fee schedule; current amounts are at www.coj.net/fees. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 656.403 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code, Residential, 2023, as adopted by Jacksonville (Ch. 321); Zoning Code Ch. 656 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Jacksonville building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Jacksonville's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | — | Yes | You need a building permit and zoning approval to build a… |
| Palm Coast | 61 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Gainesville | 61 mi | Yes | You need a building permit and zoning approval to build a… |
| Daytona Beach | 86 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build an accessory dwelling… |
| Deltona | 103 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Orlando | 135 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to build a garage apartment, c… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Jacksonville
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Jacksonville?
The code lists no dollar amounts. An ADU is new residential floor area billed under the Sec. 320.409 permit fee schedule; current amounts are at www.coj.net/fees.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Jacksonville can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.