Looking for the COJ Building Department? The official office is the City of Jacksonville Department of Public Works Building Inspection Division. It handles building permits, plan review, inspections, permit records and code-related construction services for properties within the City of Jacksonville’s jurisdiction.
For most permit work in 2026, you will use JaxEPICS, Jacksonville’s electronic permitting system. The City currently requires online submission for all permit types, so you usually do not need to start by visiting the downtown office.
| Official office | City of Jacksonville – Building Inspection Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 214 North Hogan Street, 2nd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, except most federal holidays |
| Main phone | 904-255-8500 |
| General email | BIDDocuments@coj.net |
| Online permit system | JaxEPICS |
| Current building code | Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), until the 9th Edition becomes effective |
Jacksonville Building Permits, Inspections and JaxEPICS Help
The Building Inspection Division enforces the Florida Building Code and Jacksonville construction ordinances. In practical terms, this is the office people usually mean when they search for the “COJ Building Department,” “Jacksonville permit office,” “COJ permit search” or “Jacksonville building inspections.”
The division works with other City reviewers where needed, including zoning, fire review, Development Services, concurrency, drainage, floodplain review and other agencies connected to the project.
What the COJ Building Department Handles
| Service | What it normally covers |
|---|---|
| Building permits | New homes, commercial buildings, additions, alterations, structural repairs and other regulated construction. |
| Trade permits | Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC and related regulated work. |
| Plan review | Review of construction documents for applicable building, fire, zoning and other requirements. |
| Inspections | Required construction-stage and final inspections after a permit is issued. |
| Permit records | Permit status, inspection information, certificates and available property records. |
| Certificates | Certificates of Occupancy, Completion and qualifying Certificates of Use. |
| Contractor information | Local registration information and links for checking contractor licenses and complaints. |
| Code enforcement | Building-code complaints, unsafe construction issues and related violations. |
Do You Need a Jacksonville Building Permit?
A permit is generally required when work involves constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a regulated building or structure, changing occupancy, or installing or changing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems.
Common projects that may require permits include:
- New houses and commercial buildings
- Room additions and structural additions
- Garage conversions
- Roof replacement
- Window and exterior door replacement
- Swimming pools
- Structural remodeling
- Electrical service work or rewiring
- Water-heater work
- Air-conditioning and mechanical equipment
- Plumbing alterations
- Demolition
- Changes in building use or occupancy
The City also identifies limited work that does not require a building permit. Examples listed in its current guidance include ordinary patio slabs, certain faucet replacements after the stop, clearing plumbing stoppages without rearranging piping or fixtures, and limited portable mechanical equipment.
How to Apply for a COJ Building Permit Online
Jacksonville requires electronic permit submission through JaxEPICS. Preparing the documents before you open the application can save a frustrating round of corrections.
-
Confirm that COJ is the correct permitting authority.
Make sure the property is inside the City of Jacksonville’s permitting jurisdiction. Properties in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach or Baldwin use their respective municipal process. For Atlantic Beach properties, see our Atlantic Beach Building Department guide. -
Identify the correct permit type.
Determine whether you need a building, roofing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, pool, demolition, alteration or other permit. Separate trade permits may be required even when a main building permit exists. -
Gather the project information.
Have the property address, owner information, contractor information, project description, estimated construction cost and applicable plans ready. -
Download the latest 2026 forms.
Use the City’s Checklists, Forms and Documents page. Jacksonville specifically warns applicants not to submit older pre-2026 versions when a newer form is available. -
Open JaxEPICS.
Go to JaxEPICS.coj.net. Create or use the required profile for permit submission. -
Complete every required field.
Provide a detailed description of the proposed work. For applicable building projects, also enter enclosed and unenclosed areas and other requested project specifications. -
Upload the documents in the correct folders.
Jacksonville’s current residential checklist uses separate locations for architectural plans, structural plans, site plans, energy documents, product approvals, correspondence and other supporting files. Follow the checklist for your specific permit type instead of uploading everything into one category. -
Submit and follow the reviews.
A building application may move through Development Services, zoning, concurrency, drainage, flood, historic, fire or other agency reviews before Building Inspection completes its review. -
Answer plan-review comments completely.
When corrections are requested, upload revised documents and a clear response explaining what changed. Incomplete resubmissions can create another review cycle. -
Pay the assessed fees and obtain permit issuance.
Your actual total depends on the type of project, construction area or value, plan review, trade permits and other applicable charges.
Documents You May Need
The exact package depends on your project. Jacksonville’s revised April 2026 checklist for new one- and two-family projects shows how detailed a complete submission can become.
| Document | When it may be needed |
|---|---|
| Architectural plans | New buildings, additions and projects requiring plan review. |
| Structural plans | Structural construction or engineered components. |
| Site plan, drainage plan or survey | To show property boundaries, proposed improvements, setbacks or site conditions. |
| Energy forms | Applicable new residential construction and energy-code compliance. |
| Product Approval Information Sheet | Applicable regulated building products. |
| Truss package | Projects using engineered trusses or engineered lumber. |
| Property-owner permission | When another party is obtaining permits with the owner’s authorization. |
| Owner-builder disclosure | When a qualifying owner acts as their own contractor. |
| Recorded deed | When current ownership is not reflected by the Property Appraiser. |
| Notice of Commencement | Required for qualifying projects under Florida construction-lien law. |
| Agency approvals | May include septic, JEA, flood, historic, airport-noise or other project-specific approvals. |
Notice of Commencement: Important 2026 Rule
For most projects where the direct contract is more than $5,000, Florida law requires the permitting authority to receive a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection. Jacksonville’s revised 2026 residential checklist also uses the $5,000 threshold.
The 2026 Jacksonville form requires information including the property description, owner, contractor, lender if applicable and the location of the improvement. The Notice is normally effective for one year after recording unless a different expiration date is stated.
After recording a required NOC with the Clerk of Court, Jacksonville’s current checklist instructs applicants to send it to BIDDocuments@coj.net. A required NOC must be received before inspection scheduling, although the checklist states that it does not delay permit issuance.
How Long Does Jacksonville Plan Review Take?
The City’s Building Inspection FAQ currently advises applicants to expect approximately 25–30 business days for the first building-permit review because of submission volume. It states that resubmissions are generally reviewed in about 10 business days or less.
Those numbers are guidance rather than a guaranteed completion date. Review time can change based on project complexity, workload, missing documents and whether other agencies must approve the project.
Common reasons a permit gets delayed
- Incomplete mechanical, electrical or plumbing information
- Plans that do not clearly define the scope of work
- Missing property-owner authorization
- Incorrect or outdated forms
- Missing digitally signed and sealed documents where required
- Unresolved zoning, drainage, floodplain, historic or fire review
- Missing product approvals
- Incomplete response to plan-review comments
COJ Building Permit Fees in 2026
Jacksonville does not charge one flat building-permit price. Fees depend on the permit type, floor area, construction value, number of inspections, plan review and other project-specific charges.
The amounts below are selected examples from the City’s published 2026 fee information. They are useful for planning, but they should not be treated as a final quote.
| Permit or service | Published fee example |
|---|---|
| New building/addition – enclosed area through fourth story | $6.38 BID fee per 100 sq. ft., plus applicable resource, landscape, development, debris and plan-review charges |
| Minimum BID fee for applicable new buildings/additions | $112.50 or $33.75 per required inspection, whichever is greater |
| Alteration / tenant build-out / converting use | $3.00 BID fee per $1,000 estimated cost, plus applicable additional charges |
| Window or door replacement | $4.00 per $1,000 construction cost; published minimums apply |
| Roofing | $10 per 1,000 sq. ft.; published minimum is $150 when one or more inspections are required |
| Roof repair under 500 sq. ft. | $10 base published amount, with applicable C&D fee |
| Above-ground swimming pool | $75 building fee including plan review, plus published Development Services fee |
| Plumbing permit minimum | $60 |
| Mechanical permit minimum | $60 |
| Failed inspection reinspection | $45 according to the City’s inspection guidance |
| Temporary/partial residential Certificate of Occupancy | $100 |
| Temporary/partial commercial Certificate of Occupancy | $150 |
Always check the official City of Jacksonville fee schedule before budgeting a project. Your invoice may include several separate components.
How to Search a COJ Building Permit
You do not need to call the permit office simply to check basic permit information. Jacksonville provides public access through JaxEPICS.
- Open JaxEPICS.
- Use the public or guest search tools. You can research an existing record without starting a new application.
- Search using the permit number or property address. Use the most accurate information available.
- Open the matching permit. Confirm that the property and scope match the project you are researching.
- Review status and inspections. Look for available review activity, inspection results and permit information.
How to Schedule a Jacksonville Building Inspection
Once your permit is issued and the work reaches an inspection stage, the permit holder is responsible for requesting the required inspection.
The City’s preferred self-service option is JaxEPICS. You can also contact the Building Inspection Division at 904-255-8500 during business hours.
- Check the permit’s required inspection list. Do not guess which inspection comes next.
- Complete the work for that inspection stage. Do not cover work that the inspector must see.
- Make sure the permit documents are available at the job site.
- Record and submit the Notice of Commencement if your project requires one.
- Open JaxEPICS and locate your permit.
- Request the correct inspection type.
- Add access instructions where necessary. Jacksonville asks applicants to place lock-box codes or permit-package-location details in the inspection request comments when appropriate.
- Check JaxEPICS for the result. Inspection results are posted electronically as inspectors complete their work.
The City’s service guidance says inspections are generally scheduled for the next business day. Scheduling can still be affected by workload, holidays, access problems or project conditions.
Typical inspection stages
The exact sequence is determined by your issued permit, but common building inspections may include:
- Footing or foundation
- Slab before concrete placement
- Roof and wall sheathing
- Framing
- Electrical rough and final
- Plumbing rough and final
- Mechanical/HVAC inspections
- Insulation
- Drywall-related inspections where required
- Accessibility or fire-related inspections where applicable
- Final building inspection
What Happens If an Inspection Fails?
A failed inspection is usually a correction step, not the end of the permit. Read the inspector’s comments, correct each listed item and request the required reinspection.
Jacksonville currently publishes a $45 reinspection fee for a failed inspection. The City states that outstanding fees must be paid before a final inspection and before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion.
Can a Jacksonville Homeowner Pull Their Own Permit?
Florida law provides an owner-builder exemption in qualifying situations, but acting as your own contractor also means accepting the contractor’s responsibilities.
Jacksonville’s owner-builder disclosure explains that a qualifying owner may build or improve a one- or two-family residence or certain other qualifying property for the owner’s own use or occupancy. A qualifying commercial owner-builder project is subject to statutory restrictions, including a published construction-cost limit of $75,000 in the City’s disclosure.
The owner-builder must provide direct, onsite supervision and cannot simply hire an unlicensed person to act as the contractor.
How to Check a Jacksonville Contractor
Before hiring someone for permitted construction, verify the license rather than relying on a business card, vehicle sign or online advertisement.
The City’s Contractor License and Complaint Search page provides access to resources for:
- Florida state contractor licenses
- Duval County registered and specialty contractors
- Local business tax information
- Workers’ compensation information
- Fire sprinkler contractor records
- Contractor complaint resources
For permit purposes, the City’s registration guidance says contractors should be prepared to provide the applicable Florida license, identification and workers’ compensation documentation or exemption.
Certificate of Occupancy and Certificate of Completion
Passing an individual inspection does not necessarily mean the project is complete. Required inspections and corrections must be resolved before the City can issue the applicable final approval.
For qualifying construction, a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued after the required City inspections have passed and code-required corrections are complete. A building that requires a CO should not be treated as approved for occupancy simply because construction appears finished.
Certificate of Use for Jacksonville Businesses
Businesses may also encounter a Certificate of Use (COU). This is different from a basic construction permit.
The City explains that a Certificate of Use can involve zoning, building and fire review to confirm that the proposed activity is allowed at the location and that the space meets applicable requirements for the intended use.
Do not sign a commercial lease solely because the property appears to have appropriate zoning. The Building Inspection Division warns that a space’s existing building or fire occupancy classification may not match the new business use.
COU applications are available through JaxEPICS. For zoning questions, Jacksonville lists 904-255-8300 and Zoning@coj.net.
Which Office Should You Contact?
| Question | Jacksonville contact |
|---|---|
| Building, electrical, mechanical or plumbing permits | 904-255-8500 / BIDDocuments@coj.net |
| Zoning, setbacks or what can be built | 904-255-8300 / Zoning@coj.net |
| Right-of-way, driveway or site-development review | 904-255-8310 / ReviewGrp@coj.net |
| Mobility or impact-fee questions | 904-255-8330 / CMMSO@coj.net |
| Code enforcement | 904-255-8385 / BIDCodeEnforcement@coj.net |
| Older permit archives | 904-255-8387 / BIDArchives@coj.net |
Which Building Code Applies in Jacksonville in 2026?
As of October 2026, Jacksonville identifies the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) as the code currently in effect. It became effective December 31, 2023.
The Florida Building Commission is completing the 9th Edition (2026) update, with a scheduled effective date of December 31, 2026. That means a project submitted before the transition should not automatically be designed as if the new edition is already legally effective.
For current statewide code resources, use the Florida Building Commission.
Important Jurisdiction Difference Within Duval County
This is one of the easiest mistakes to make. The City of Jacksonville’s Building Inspection Division states that its authority is limited to the City of Jacksonville. Other municipalities within Duval County maintain their own building and zoning regulation.
| Property location | Where to start |
|---|---|
| City of Jacksonville jurisdiction | COJ Building Inspection Division / JaxEPICS |
| Atlantic Beach | City of Atlantic Beach Building Division |
| Jacksonville Beach | City of Jacksonville Beach permitting office |
| Neptune Beach | City of Neptune Beach permitting authority |
| Baldwin | Town of Baldwin permitting/zoning authority |
If your project is elsewhere in Northeast Florida, permitting rules change by jurisdiction. Our Baker County Building Department guide explains the neighboring county process. For another Florida example with a separate county permitting platform, see the Brevard Building Department guide.
A Practical Checklist Before You Submit
- Confirm the property is actually under COJ permitting jurisdiction.
- Know the exact scope of work.
- Select the correct building and trade permits.
- Use current 2026 forms rather than an older saved PDF.
- Prepare owner and contractor information.
- Prepare site, architectural and structural documents where required.
- Include applicable product approvals and energy documents.
- Confirm whether another agency must approve the project.
- Submit electronically through JaxEPICS.
- Read every plan-review comment before resubmitting.
- Record and submit a Notice of Commencement when required.
- Do not conceal work before required inspections.
- Confirm all final inspections and applicable certificates before treating the project as complete.
COJ Building Department FAQs
1. What is the COJ Building Department?
The office commonly called the COJ Building Department is officially the City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division within the Department of Public Works. It handles building permitting, inspections, plan review and related construction-code services.
2. Where is the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division located?
The office is on the second floor of the Ed Ball Building at 214 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Published office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except most federal holidays.
3. How do I apply for a COJ building permit?
Jacksonville requires electronic permit submission. Prepare the current forms and required plans, open JaxEPICS, complete the permit application, upload supporting documents into the correct categories and submit the package for review.
4. How do I search for a Jacksonville building permit?
Open JaxEPICS and use its public search functions. Search by permit number or property information, open the matching record and review available permit, review and inspection details.
5. How do I schedule a COJ building inspection?
Use JaxEPICS to locate the issued permit and request the required inspection. You can also contact the Building Inspection Division at 904-255-8500 during published business hours.
6. How much does a Jacksonville building permit cost?
There is no single flat price. Fees depend on project type, floor area or construction value, plan review, inspections, trade permits and other applicable charges. Review the City’s current fee schedule for an estimate and use the permit invoice for the final amount.
7. How long does a Jacksonville building permit review take?
The City’s current FAQ advises applicants to expect approximately 25–30 business days for an initial building-permit review and around 10 business days or less for resubmissions. Actual timing depends on project complexity, workload and other required reviews.
8. How long is a COJ building permit valid?
The Building Inspection Division FAQ states that permits are good for 180 days. Because permit status can depend on activity, inspections and project circumstances, check the actual permit record or contact the City before assuming an older permit remains active.
9. Does Jacksonville require a Notice of Commencement?
For most projects with a direct contract greater than $5,000, a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement must be provided before the first inspection. Florida law contains a specific exception for repair or replacement of an existing heating or air-conditioning system when the direct contract is below $15,000.
10. Does COJ issue permits for all of Duval County?
No. The Building Inspection Division states that its authority is limited to the City of Jacksonville. Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Baldwin maintain separate municipal building and zoning authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before submitting an application.
Before You Leave This Page
If you only need information, most of the process can be understood before opening the City website. When you are ready for the actual transaction, use the official system for the live permit record, application, payment or inspection request.
Information reviewed: October 23, 2026. Permit fees, forms, review times, staff procedures and code requirements can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not the City of Jacksonville or another government agency.